This study assessed the seasonal and annual variations in both sensible and latent heat storage fluxes in the canopy air-space of tropical rainforest, as well as the infiltration rate in soil in two experimental plots one with exclusion of rainfall and other under actual rainfall. The data used in this study were obtained during the ''Long-term drought impact on water and carbon dioxide fluxes in Amazonian Tropical Rainforest Experiment'' (ESECAFLOR) which is subproject of Large Scale Biosphere Atmosphere Experiment in Amazon forest (LBA), carried out in Caxiuaná National Forest, Pará, Brazil. The air temperature and relative humidity data were collected in a forest profile for each 8 m height layer throughout the 2008 year in order to determine the sensible and latent heat storage fluxes during the rainy season (February, March and April) and less rainy season (September, October and November). The results indicated that sensible heat stored flux in rainforest canopy during the 2008 year was 167.93 W m-2, while the latent heat stored was 5184.38 W m-2. The infiltration rate in the forest was dramatically reduced in the first minutes of the experiment, regardless of soil moisture conditions, and then it presented almost constant behavior throughout the time.
Caxiuanã reserve; Horton model; radiation balance; air temperature
