Articles
Water use of garden trees for flood risk alleviation during periods of high rainfall
Article number
1374_22
Pages
173 – 180
Language
English
Abstract
Trees play a vital part in microclimate regulation, water cycling and carbon storage.
However, there are significant species-specific differences in the ability of different tree species to provide these services.
While domestic gardens represent 30% of urban areas in the UK, there is little advice for gardeners on which trees to plant to buffer adverse effects of dense urban landscapes and a changing climate.
Thus, there is a need to understand which tree species are associated with different ecosystem services, as well as a measure of the effectiveness with which the service is delivered.
This study focused on nine different tree species suitable in a domestic garden context, to understand which characteristics are important for flood mitigation during periods of high rainfall and reduced solar radiation.
Nine species/cultivars of small to medium-stature garden trees were planted in a large irrigated outdoor experiment.
Measurements included high-resolution records of sap flux density and meteorological parameters, with regular discrete measurements of crown size.
The Cupressus emerged as a strong candidate for flood mitigation, having the highest relative transpiration rates during October.
Current observed diversity in transpiration responses indicate notable differences in tree physiology as well as in responses to meteorological drivers.
However, there are significant species-specific differences in the ability of different tree species to provide these services.
While domestic gardens represent 30% of urban areas in the UK, there is little advice for gardeners on which trees to plant to buffer adverse effects of dense urban landscapes and a changing climate.
Thus, there is a need to understand which tree species are associated with different ecosystem services, as well as a measure of the effectiveness with which the service is delivered.
This study focused on nine different tree species suitable in a domestic garden context, to understand which characteristics are important for flood mitigation during periods of high rainfall and reduced solar radiation.
Nine species/cultivars of small to medium-stature garden trees were planted in a large irrigated outdoor experiment.
Measurements included high-resolution records of sap flux density and meteorological parameters, with regular discrete measurements of crown size.
The Cupressus emerged as a strong candidate for flood mitigation, having the highest relative transpiration rates during October.
Current observed diversity in transpiration responses indicate notable differences in tree physiology as well as in responses to meteorological drivers.
Authors
E.K. Larsen, T. Blanusa, A. Hirons, R. Tanner, P. McAleer, M. Gush
Keywords
ecosystem services, garden trees, flood mitigation, sap flow, green infrastructure
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