Interception loss, gross precipitation, throughfall and stemflow solution chemistry beneath pine (Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl.), oak (Quercus sp.) and pine–oak natural forest canopies in northeastern Mexico were measured. Coefficients of variation for throughfall were 12% in pine and oak canopies and 17% in the mixed pine–oak canopy. The variability of stemflow averaged 66, 126 and 73% for pine, oak and the mixed pine–oak canopies, respectively. Linear regression analysis of net versus gross precipitation for the three canopies showed highly significant correlations (r = 0.974–0.984). Total precipitation during the experimental period was 974 mm and estimated interception loss was 19.2, 13.6 and 23% for the pine, oak and pine–oak canopies, respectively. Stemflow did not occur following rainfall events of less than 4 mm and, in all canopies, stemflow represented a minimal proportion of gross precipitation (0.60, 0.50 and 0.03% for pine, oak and pine–oak, respectively). Throughfall pH in pine (6.2), oak (6.3) and pine–oak (6.3) canopies was significantly more acidic than gross precipitation (6.6). Stemflow pH ranged from 3.7 (pine) to 6.0 (oak). The pine–oak canopy registered the highest throughfall and stemflow electrical conductivities, 104 and 188 μS cm⁻¹, respectively. Net nutrient leaching of K, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn and Zn was significantly higher from the pine–oak canopy than from the pure pine and oak canopies. Mean depositions of Ca and Cu in throughfall behaved similarly among the three types of canopies. A greater proportion of Zn in gross precipitation was absorbed by the oak canopy than by the pine and pine–oak canopies. Enrichment factors beneath the pine–oak canopy relative to gross precipitation varied from 1.2 to 3.2 for macro-nutrients (Ca, K, Mg and Na) and from 1.4 to 3.1 for micro-nutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn). Stemflow depositions of Ca, K, Mg and Cu were higher in the pine–oak canopy, whereas stemflow depositions of Na, Fe, Mn and Zn were higher in the pine canopy.

Trough collections of plants and interviews with 110 individuals, an ethnobotanical study was conducted in order to determine the knowledge and use plant species in Rayones, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The aim of this study was to record all useful plants and their uses, to know whether differences exist in the knowledge about the number of species and uses between women and men, and to know if there is a correlation between the age of individuals and knowledge of species and their uses.

Throughfall and stemflow measurements in a 60-year-old white oak stand (Quercus serrata Thunb.) were carried out during two periods totalling eleven months, from August to November 1993 and from May to November 1994, in order to clarify the rainfall partitioning of this forest. Troughs and spiral-type stemflow gauges connected to tipping bucket-gauges were used for throughfall and stemflow measurements. Seventy-five storms were analyzed individually. Coefficients of variation for throughfall and stemflow ranged between 5–25% and 20–70% respectively. Partitioning of net rainfall in throughfall and stemflow represent 72% and 10% of the gross rainfall respectively. Multiple regression analyses were carried out to determine the stemflow variability. In was determined that maximum rain intensity was highly correlated with stemflow and this variable explained a further 5.5% of the stemflow variation. Estimates of averaged lag time and drainage after rain cease for stemflow were 290 and 164 min, while estimates for throughfall were 60 and 104 min. respectively. The canopy saturation was estimated from continuous storms and showed a value of 0.6 mm. The trunk storage capacity was estimated at a value of 0.2 mm. The interception loss from the forest canopy was estimated in 18%. Interception loss was heighly correlated with rainfall characteristics such as duration and intensity.

Background: Urbanized slope areas in Sierra Madre Oriental are prone to sediment related disasters mainly caused by heavy rainfall episodes during hurricane season, knowledge on the factors on soil-roots dynamics are required to mitigate or lessen those disasters. Questions and hypothesis: The mechanical properties of roots of native species vary according species. The mechanical properties of the roots are influenced by the morphology of root: diameter. Species studied: Quercus rysophylla, Pinus pseudostrobus and Acacia berlandieri. Study site and dates: Sierra Madre Oriental, Chipinque National Park in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. From middle of December 2014. Methods: Selection of species was made base on widespread distribution and predominance in degraded areas. Samples were taken at field and tensile tests to calculate maximum force to root breakage were conducted using a laboratory dispositive, calculations of tensile strength and modulus of elasticity were calculated using formulas. The corresponding relations between root diameter and mechanical properties were established. Results: Results confirmed that bigger diameters require bigger forces to break. In other hand, results confirmed the negative relationship between diameter and tensile strength and diameter and modulus of elasticity. Pointing out that roots of bigger diameter have less tensile strength and elasticity. The order of importance of the species studied according its mechanical properties was found like: Acacia berlandieri > Quercus rysophylla > Pinus pseudostrobus. Conclusions: The results of this study begin the data contribution of the mechanical properties of native species of Sierra Madre Oriental in order to use it in the application of soil bioengineering practices on urbanized slopes prone to disasters.