Journal of Engineering Research

The canopy structure of public welfare forests directly affects the performance of water conservation functions by regulating precipitation distribution, interception and buffering, and microenvironment adjustment. Unreasonable configuration of structural parameters such as canopy closure, leaf area index, and vertical stratification will reduce precipitation interception efficiency and aggravate surface runoff and soil erosion. Through optimization measures such as scientific pruning and mixed tree species configuration, the spatial heterogeneity of the canopy can be adjusted, the ability of hierarchical interception of precipitation can be enhanced, the retention time of rainwater in the canopy can be prolonged, and water infiltration can be promoted. At the same time, the optimized canopy can improve the understory light and humidity conditions, increase the decomposition rate of litter and the water-holding capacity of soil, forming a "canopy-litter-soil" synergistic water conservation system, which provides an ecological guarantee for regional water resource security.

Public welfare forest; Canopy structure; Structural optimization; Water conservation; Precipitation interception