TY - JOUR

T1 - Transpiration reduction and absorption of intercepted water in Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) and European common oak (Quercus robur)

AU - Jensen, Axel Martin

AU - Mintschenko, Helena

AU - Ræbild, Anders

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Precipitation that is intercepted by vegetation is generally considered as lost to the terrestrial hydrological cycle. However, if it is absorbed by the plants or reduces their transpiration, the intercepted water contributes positively to forest hydrology. The aim of this study was to investigate the absorption of intercepted water by a conifer and an angiosperm tree species. Pots of 2-3-year-old plants of x Cupressocyparis leylandiiandQuercus roburwere wrapped in plastic bags to exclude stemflow and throughfall from their water supply. Samples of both species were conditioned to two levels of aboveground wetting (sprinkled or un-sprinkled) and two levels of soil moisture (dry or moist). The periodical sprinkling with water droplets, lasting 5 h during two nights and 10 h in 1 day, ensured continuous aboveground wetting of plants during these periods. Weight changes of the plants were monitored after air drying in darkness for 3 h and wiping off any remaining surface water. Absorption of intercepted water was apparent for both species at night, when transpiration was close to zero. During the day, sprinkled plants ofQ. roburhad reduced rates of transpiration. ForC. leylandiion dry soil sprinkling reduced water consumption during the first 24 h by 9%, while forQ. robur, the reductions were 46% and 27% for plants on dry and moist soils, respectively. These reductions in water consumption following sprinkling indicate that transpiration reduction and absorption of intercepted water deserve attention in studies of forest hydrology.

AB - Precipitation that is intercepted by vegetation is generally considered as lost to the terrestrial hydrological cycle. However, if it is absorbed by the plants or reduces their transpiration, the intercepted water contributes positively to forest hydrology. The aim of this study was to investigate the absorption of intercepted water by a conifer and an angiosperm tree species. Pots of 2-3-year-old plants of x Cupressocyparis leylandiiandQuercus roburwere wrapped in plastic bags to exclude stemflow and throughfall from their water supply. Samples of both species were conditioned to two levels of aboveground wetting (sprinkled or un-sprinkled) and two levels of soil moisture (dry or moist). The periodical sprinkling with water droplets, lasting 5 h during two nights and 10 h in 1 day, ensured continuous aboveground wetting of plants during these periods. Weight changes of the plants were monitored after air drying in darkness for 3 h and wiping off any remaining surface water. Absorption of intercepted water was apparent for both species at night, when transpiration was close to zero. During the day, sprinkled plants ofQ. roburhad reduced rates of transpiration. ForC. leylandiion dry soil sprinkling reduced water consumption during the first 24 h by 9%, while forQ. robur, the reductions were 46% and 27% for plants on dry and moist soils, respectively. These reductions in water consumption following sprinkling indicate that transpiration reduction and absorption of intercepted water deserve attention in studies of forest hydrology.

KW - Foliar absorption

KW - Interception

KW - Forest hydrology

KW - Transpiration

KW - HYDRAULIC REDISTRIBUTION

KW - STOMATAL PENETRATION

KW - FOLIAR ABSORPTION

KW - PLANT

KW - TRANSPORT

KW - FOG

U2 - 10.1007/s10342-020-01271-x

DO - 10.1007/s10342-020-01271-x

M3 - Journal article

VL - 139

SP - 585

EP - 593

JO - European Journal of Forest Research

JF - European Journal of Forest Research

SN - 1612-4669

IS - 4

ER -