ISSN:
1573-2932
Keywords:
stand transpiration
;
hydraulic architecture
;
Pinus sylvestris L.
;
air pollution
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
Notes:
Abstract As part of a project studying the effects of massive reductions in the output of air pollutants in eastern Germany we monitored stand transpiration rates and water stress and analyzed the hydraulic architecture of Scots pine in three stands with different air pollution histories. Sap flow densities were continuously measured in 15 trees per stand with a thermoelectric method. The sap flow densities were scaled up to the stand transpiration rate via the conductive xylem area, which was measured with computer-tomography in the same trees. Radiation (PAR), humidity and temperature were monitored at three levels in the stands, water stress is assessed by predawn water potentials. As a parameter of hydraulic architecture we studied leaf specific conductivity (LSC). The proportion of the heartwood area did not significantly vary along the gradient of air pollution. The variation of sap flow densities within the stands was large. The ratios of sap flow densities in the inner and outer xylem were site-specific and significantly different between the stands. In the stand with the highest rate of air pollution there was a sharp decline in the sap flow densities towards the heartwood. Stand transpiration in the site with the lowest pollution was significantly higher than in the two more polluted sites. LSC in 2 years old twigs was significantly higher in the low pollution stand. In the dry summer of 1994 predawn water potentials fell to extreme values of below 1.6 MPa. At that stage transpiration ceased until the next substantial rainfalls.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00477221
