Articles
Quantification of sap flux density and stem water content of oak and beech by using the Sapflow+ method
Article number
1419_22
Pages
181 – 186
Language
English
Abstract
The accurate determination of sap flow and stem water content is essential for understanding plant-water relations.
Advancing our knowledge of tree transpiration, encompassing various tree species and environmental conditions, is crucial, particularly in the face of increased drought events driven by climate change.
In this study, we used the nonempirical heat-pulse-based Sapflow+ method to quantify sap flux density and stem water content in two ecologically and economically important tree species in temperate climates: Fagus sylvatica L., characterized by diffuse-porous wood, and Quercus robur L., characterized by ring-porous wood.
The Sapflow+ method relies on measuring temperature changes around a linear heater in both axial and tangential directions following the application of a heat pulse.
By fitting the heat conduction-convection equation to the measured temperature profiles, sap flow densities can be accurately determined.
This study represents the first application of the Sapflow+ method in a ring-porous species, Quercus robur L. Sap flow densities obtained via the Sapflow+ method surpassed those obtained through the heat ratio method of Burgess et al. (2001). Furthermore, our observations revealed a similar daily pattern of stem water content between the Sapflow+ sensor and an independent moisture sensor based on frequency domain reflectometry, namely the GS3. These results are promising for the use of the Sapflow+ sensor and provide valuable insights for further research.
Advancing our knowledge of tree transpiration, encompassing various tree species and environmental conditions, is crucial, particularly in the face of increased drought events driven by climate change.
In this study, we used the nonempirical heat-pulse-based Sapflow+ method to quantify sap flux density and stem water content in two ecologically and economically important tree species in temperate climates: Fagus sylvatica L., characterized by diffuse-porous wood, and Quercus robur L., characterized by ring-porous wood.
The Sapflow+ method relies on measuring temperature changes around a linear heater in both axial and tangential directions following the application of a heat pulse.
By fitting the heat conduction-convection equation to the measured temperature profiles, sap flow densities can be accurately determined.
This study represents the first application of the Sapflow+ method in a ring-porous species, Quercus robur L. Sap flow densities obtained via the Sapflow+ method surpassed those obtained through the heat ratio method of Burgess et al. (2001). Furthermore, our observations revealed a similar daily pattern of stem water content between the Sapflow+ sensor and an independent moisture sensor based on frequency domain reflectometry, namely the GS3. These results are promising for the use of the Sapflow+ sensor and provide valuable insights for further research.
Publication
Authors
K.H.D. Schaepdryver, D.J.W. De Pauw, K. Steppe
Keywords
Sapflow+, sap flux density, stem water content, sap flow sensor, oak, beech, GS3
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