Data for: The effects of leaf traits on litter rainfall interception with consequences for runoff and soil conservation

# Data for: The effects of leaf traits on litter rainfall interception with consequences for runoff and soil conservation ########## We measured the runoff and soil loss generation as determined by litter layer structural and hydraulic properties of 16 coexisting tropical woody species with wide-range morphological leaf traits in a rainfall simulator experiment. Our results revealed the direct and indirect effects of species leaf size and hydraulic traits on litter rainfall interception, runoff and soil loss. We propose a new litter-soil ecohydrological model, by using structural equation models (SEM), which can be used as a tool to predict ecosystem functioning, and guide management and restoration actions with water and soil conservation targets. Keywords: litter interception, rainfall interception, soil erosion, leaf-litter size and shape, leaf-litter hydrological traits, water runoff, soil erosion. ########## Our data is available in .CSV format with the following columns and variables. Missing values are denoted by NA. * ID: Code/abbreviation for each species. * ID\_REPLICA: Code/abbreviation for each species with the number of experimental replicates. * WHCv: The Water Holding Capacity (WHC) represents the ability of leaf tissue to absorb water, potentially increasing the capacity to store litter water. WHC was assessed after one hour of submersion, which reflects the leaf tissue's ability to absorb water in terms of both capacity and speed. For each species, ten leaves were submerged in ziplock bags filled with tap water and devoid of air for one hour. Following this, the leaves were gently surface-dried with a paper towel, weighed, and then placed on a bench for air-drying. WHC was calculated as the species' mean difference between dry and wet weights, expressed as a percentage of the dry weight. * desvWHCv: variance of WHCv for ID\_REPLICA. * WHCmax: The Water Holding Capacity (WHC) represents the maximum ability of leaf tissue to absorb water, potentially increasing the capacity to store litter water. WHC was assessed after 24 hours of submersion, which reflects the leaf tissue's ability to absorb water in terms of both capacity and speed. For each species, ten leaves were submerged in ziplock bags filled with tap water and devoid of air for one hour. Following this, the leaves were gently surface-dried with a paper towel, weighed, and then placed on a bench for air-drying. WHC was calculated as the species' mean difference between dry and wet weights, expressed as a percentage of the dry weight. * desvWHCmax: variance of WHCmax for ID\_REPLICA. * LRET: Water leaf retention measurement; leaf Hydrophobicity. For measuring Lret, using an automatic micropipette, a 50μL drop of distilled water was tapped on the leaf strip surface on the styrofoam block initially in a horizontal position. The styrofoam block was inclined progressively from 0 to 90°. The angle of inclination at the moment the drop begins to move represents the measure of water retention. Lret was calculated as the average of the values of the abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Finally, we calculated the mean of species. * desvLRET: variance of LRET for ID\_REPLICA. * LREP: Water leaf repellency measurement; leaf Hydrophobicity. For measuring LREP, leaf litter was wetted in plastic bags with a soaked paper towel to allow them to be cut and flattened without breaking. From each leaf, a 3x3 cm strip of the central part of the leaf was cut and horizontally fixed with pins onto a styrofoam block. A 5μL drop of distilled water was tapped on the leaf strip surface with the aid of an automatic micropipette. A digital photo from the side of the drop on the leaf surface was taken and the angle formed between the drop and the leaf surface was measured using ImageJ software. The same procedure was repeated for the abaxial and adaxial surfaces and the Lrep was calculated as the average value of both leaf surfaces * desvLREP: variance of LREP for ID\_REPLICA. * CUR: leaf Curliness, measured in centimeters (cm); that represents the degree of three-dimensional space occupied by leaves in the litter layer, descriptors of the Size and Shape Spectrum, which can affect litter layer porous structure and compaction with potential effects on water storage and drainage direction. For each species, ten air-dried leaves were randomly selected. Each leaf was placed on a bench and turned in several positions to find all its equilibrium points. Height was measured in all equilibrium points of the leaf and the average value was considered the curliness of the leaf. * desvCUR: variance of CUR for ID\_REPLICA. * LA\_LA: leaf Area, measured in square centimeters (cm²); that represents the degree of bi-dimensional space occupied by leaves in the litter layer, descriptors of the Size and Shape Spectrum, which can affect litter layer porous structure and compaction with potential effects on water storage and drainage direction. For measuring LA, ten leaves per species were wetted in plastic bags with saturated paper towels overnight, allowing them to flatten without breaking. Leaves were scanned and LA was measured using the ImageJ software. * desvLA\_LA: variance of LA\_LA for ID\_REPLICA. * SLA: is a measure that describes a plant's leaf surface area relative to its dry mass. It is typically expressed in square centimeters per gram (cm²/g). We collected 10 leaves from each species in the litter layer, cleaned them, and allowed them to dry. We weighed them (in grams - g) and then scanned the leaves, measuring their leaf area using ImageJ. Finally, we calculated the mean leaf area for each replicate divided by its weight for each species. * desvSLA: variance of SLA for ID\_REPLICA. * PESO: mean for Fresh weight of the leaves (in grams - g) per species. We measured the thickness of species' leaves in the litter layer using a precision digital balance with a precision of 0.1g * desvPESO: variance of PESO for ID\_REPLICA. * ESPESSURA: "Mean Leaf Thickness (in centimeters - cm) per species. We measured the thickness of species' leaves in the litter layer using a precision digital caliper with a precision of 0.01cm. In grams. * desvESPESSURA: variance of desvESPESSURA for ID\_REPLICA. * DUREZA: A stapler that measures the force applied to break materials like paper, cardboard, and... leaves. The higher the HARDNESS, the harder it is to break the leaf tissue." * desvDUREZA: variance of DUREZA for ID\_REPLICA. * ESPECIE: scientific name of plant species selected. * AREA\_CAIXA: in centimeters, of the surface runoff plots, constructed for our experimental approach. * AREA\_COLETOR\_ESC: pluviometers area (cm²). * UMIDADE\_SOLO\_perc: We measured soil moisture as a way to control for potential noise/significance in its role. We collected a soil sample immediately after simulating rainfall. We then dried this soil in an oven (at 110°C) and calculated the percentage difference between wet soil minus dry soil divided by the dry soil. * PRESSAO\_kgcm2: Operating pressure of the rain simulator (kg.cm-²). This was the fundamental parameter for determining the simulated rainfall intensity. * TEMPO\_min: Rainfall simulation duration. Time for each round/experimental replicate. * PREC\_mm INT\_mmh: Simulated rainfall intensity, measured in millimeters for each 15-minute experimental replicate and then converted to millimeters per hour (mm.h⁻¹). * PREC\_L: Simulated rainfall volume, measured in millimeters for each 15-minute experimental and then converted to liters (L). * ESC\_mm\_mensurado: Volume of surface runoff collected at the end of each experimental flume replicate, measured in grams (g). * ESC\_L: Volume of surface runoff collected at the end of each experimental flume replicate, measured in Liters (L). * ESC\_mm: Volume of surface runoff collected at the end of each experimental flume replicate, measured in millimeters (mm). Equal liter per square meter (L.m-²). * COEF\_ESC: Percentage of runoff (ESC\_mm) in relation to the simulated rainfall (PREC\_mm). * INICIO\_ESC\_seg: Time, in seconds (s), taken for each experimental replicate to yield the first drop of surface runoff into the collector at the end of the flume. We used this as a proxy for drainage, where a shorter time indicates more lateral drainage, meaning that drainage through the litter layer occurs more parallel to the ground. * PESO\_SECO\_FOL\_kg: Weight, in grams (g), of the litter layer for each species in each experimental replicate after drying for at least 72 hours (3 days) in a shaded and well-ventilated area. * PESO\_UMID\_FOL\_kg: Weight, in grams (g), of the litter layer for each species in each experimental replicate after rainfall simulation. * ESTOQUE\_mm: Difference between the wet weight and dry weight of the litter layer for each species in each experimental replicate, measured in grams (g) and converted to millimeters (mm). * COEF\_ESTOQUE: Percentage of litter storage (ESTOQUE\_mm) in relation to the simulated rainfall (PREC\_mm). * SEDIM\_g: All sediment (soil) that was carried by surface runoff to the collector at the end of the flume was captured by a filter placed at the entrance of the collector. At the end of each experimental replicate, we weighed this material in grams (g). ########################