A semi‐theoretical model of canopy rainfall interception for a broad‐leaved tree

Through a series of simulation experiments in the laboratory on the broad‐leaved tree Acer mono Maxim, we obtain interception datasets of individual events under different rainfall intensities and leaf area indexes (LAIs). Based on the data, the relationship between rainfall intensity and maximum interception of per unit LAI is quantified. The variation of interception with canopy wetness index is also identified. Hence, an interception model, in which interception is calculated using rainfall intensity and LAI, is constructed with consideration of canopy wetness. Finally, according to the validation experiments, it is concluded that the precision of the model is 92·7%. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.