Articles
Determination of zero-flow for the thermal dissipation method of sap flow measurements in Mediterranean climates
Article number
1300_5
Pages
29 – 36
Language
English
Abstract
Sap flow measurements are essential for estimating whole plant- and ecosystem water use.
Yet, several challenges and pitfalls exist in the application and analysis of sap flow data, such as the determination of zero-flow (ΔTmax). Here, we used different methods to estimate ΔTmax and their effect on the determination of sap flow of Quercus suber L. trees measured with the thermal dissipation method under varying environmental conditions.
For the estimation of ΔTmax, we used data from two different sap flow sensor types: UP (SFS2, Type M-M12, UP GmbH, Ibbenbüren, Germany) and Dynamax (TDP30, Dynamax, Texas, USA). We determined ΔTmax daily at i) pre-dawn, ii) using maximum and average 3- and 11-day moving windows, iii) linear and iv) double regression as well as v) based on vapor pressure deficit thresholds (VPD <0.1 kPa/<0.25 kPa) approaches.
Data was analyzed for several seasonal conditions: moist pre-drought, dry-down, drought peak, and recovery.
Overall, the double regression yielded the highest sap flow estimates independent of the season.
The higher differences were observed between the methods during pre-drought and recovery.
The moving window and regression methods led to a sensor-specific variability in sap flow: with highest values for UP during recovery and for Dynamax during pre-drought.
During dry-down and drought peak, all methods yielded comparable results.
The large discrepancies during periods of pre-drought and recovery are most likely due to sapwood baseline shifts of trees and the lack of nights with low VPD in Mediterranean summers.
Application of short moving windows reduced the variability of sap flow estimates and between sensor types.
Hence, we recommend the use of a short average moving window as the most robust method to determine ΔTmax in Mediterranean ecosystems, where environmental conditions are highly variable.
Yet, several challenges and pitfalls exist in the application and analysis of sap flow data, such as the determination of zero-flow (ΔTmax). Here, we used different methods to estimate ΔTmax and their effect on the determination of sap flow of Quercus suber L. trees measured with the thermal dissipation method under varying environmental conditions.
For the estimation of ΔTmax, we used data from two different sap flow sensor types: UP (SFS2, Type M-M12, UP GmbH, Ibbenbüren, Germany) and Dynamax (TDP30, Dynamax, Texas, USA). We determined ΔTmax daily at i) pre-dawn, ii) using maximum and average 3- and 11-day moving windows, iii) linear and iv) double regression as well as v) based on vapor pressure deficit thresholds (VPD <0.1 kPa/<0.25 kPa) approaches.
Data was analyzed for several seasonal conditions: moist pre-drought, dry-down, drought peak, and recovery.
Overall, the double regression yielded the highest sap flow estimates independent of the season.
The higher differences were observed between the methods during pre-drought and recovery.
The moving window and regression methods led to a sensor-specific variability in sap flow: with highest values for UP during recovery and for Dynamax during pre-drought.
During dry-down and drought peak, all methods yielded comparable results.
The large discrepancies during periods of pre-drought and recovery are most likely due to sapwood baseline shifts of trees and the lack of nights with low VPD in Mediterranean summers.
Application of short moving windows reduced the variability of sap flow estimates and between sensor types.
Hence, we recommend the use of a short average moving window as the most robust method to determine ΔTmax in Mediterranean ecosystems, where environmental conditions are highly variable.
Publication
Authors
S. Haberstroh, M.C. Caldeira, R. Lobo-do-Vale, M. Dubbert, C. Werner
Keywords
baseline, Quercus suber, drought, dynamax, UP
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