Water Storage Discharge and Refilling in the Main Stems of Canopy Tree Species Investigated Using Frequency Domain Reflectometry and Point Electronic Dendrometers

OLIVA CARRAS, L.; BUCCI SJ; SCHOLTZ, F.G.; CAMPANELLO, P; MADANES, N; CRISTIANO, PIEDAD; HAO, G-Y; WHEELER, J.K.; HOLDBROOK, M.N.; GOLDSTEIN , G.

ACTA HORTICULTURAE

ISHS

Lugar: Gent; Año: 2013 vol. 991 p. 17 - 24

0567-7572

AbstractWater storage in the trunks of large trees plays an important role in wholeplantwater balance on both daily and seasonal bases. To investigate the dynamics ofwater storage and usage in tree trunks, diurnal changes in volumetric water content(VWC) of the sapwood and tree radius including the bark were monitoredcontinuously using frequency domain moisture sensors and electronic pointdendrometers in 10 canopy tree species of a subtropical seasonal forest in northernArgentina. In addition, species-specific water storage capacitance of the active xylemwas assessed using pressure volume relationships determined with a psychometricmethod. In nearly all the species, trunk VWC and radius length decreased duringthe day when the air saturation deficit increased, suggesting that the trunk waterstorage was drawn by canopy transpiration, while the increase of VWC during thenight suggests stem water storage recharge. Species with higher water storagecapacitance exhibited lower wood density and higher average VWC, suggesting theinfluence of wood structural properties on its water storage function