scholarly journals Tree Water Dynamics in a Semi-Arid, Pinus brutia Forest

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marinos Eliades ◽  
Adriana Bruggeman ◽  
Hakan Djuma ◽  
Maciek Lubczynski
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Sap Flow ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Hydraulic Redistribution ◽  
Sap Flux ◽  
Sap Flux Density ◽  
Pinus Brutia ◽  
Soil Moisture Sensors ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Semi Arid

This study aims to examine interactions between tree characteristics, sap flow, and environmental variables in an open Pinus brutia (Ten.) forest with shallow soil. We examined radial and azimuthal variations of sap flux density (Jp), and also investigated the occurrence of hydraulic redistribution mechanisms, quantified nocturnal tree transpiration, and analyzed the total water use of P. brutia trees during a three-year period. Sap flow and soil moisture sensors were installed onto and around eight trees, situated in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, Cyprus. Radial observations showed a linear decrease of sap flux densities with increasing sapwood depth. Azimuthal differences were found to be statistically insignificant. Reverse sap flow was observed during low vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and negative air temperatures. Nocturnal sap flow was about 18% of the total sap flow. Rainfall was 507 mm in 2015, 359 mm in 2016, and 220 mm in 2017. Transpiration was 53%, 30%, and 75%, respectively, of the rainfall in those years, and was affected by the distribution of the rainfall. The trees showed an immediate response to rainfall events, but also exploited the fractured bedrock. The transpiration and soil moisture levels over the three hydrologically contrasting years showed that P. brutia is well-adapted to semi-arid Mediterranean conditions.

scholarly journals Sap Flow Dynamics and Responses to Grazing and Seasonal Changes in Soil Moisture for Acacia Ancistroclada and Comberatum Molle in a Kenyan Savanna

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Ondier ◽  
Dennis Otieno ◽  
Daniel Okach ◽  
John Onyango
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Vapor Pressure ◽  
Flux Density ◽  
Sap Flow ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Vapor Pressure Deficit ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Sap Flux ◽  
Sap Flux Density ◽  
Rainfall Patterns

Abstract The Kenyan savanna, which is dominated by Acacia ancistroclada and Comberatum molle, has experienced notable changes in rainfall patterns and increased livestock grazing. A significant decrease in trees spread from 5 % to less than 1 % has been documented for the ecosystem and could be linked to the increased livestock grazing and changes in rainfall patterns, however, scientific evidence is lacking. We utilized sap flow to analyze the hydraulic responses of the prevailing trees to livestock grazing and seasonal changes in soil moisture. Environmental factors including precipitation, air temperature, soil moisture at - 0.3 m, and vapor pressure deficit were simultaneously measured. The results showed that the diurnal variation in sap flux density exhibited a single peak curve at around midday and correlated strongly with vapor pressure deficit and air temperature. Sap flux density was higher in the grazed (27.47 ± 8.65 g m-2s-1) than the fenced plots (20.17 ± 7.27 g m-2s-1). In all the plots, sap flux density followed seasonality in rainfall patterns, increasing and decreasing in wet and dry seasons respectively. The higher crown projected area was responsible for higher sap flow in the grazed plots. The diurnal variation in sap flux density showed that sap flow was coupled to the atmosphere with relatively low boundary layer resistance and the seasonal variation in sap flow was controlled by stomatal regulation. These findings point to the possibility that the dominant tree species in Lambwe are isohydric species. However, additional measurements need to be conducted on the eligibility of the species to confirm the conclusion.

A Direct Method for Estimating the Average Sap Flux Density Using a Modified Granier Measuring System

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Lu
Keyword(s):  
Flux Density ◽  
Sap Flow ◽  
Direct Method ◽  
Estimation Error ◽  
Original Method ◽  
Measuring System ◽  
Sap Flux ◽  
Sap Flux Density ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Modified Method

The Granier sap flow measuring system that normally uses one analogue input channel of a datalogger for each sensor was modified to enable one channel to measure the average value of signals from two or more sensors. The sap flux density calculated from this average value of signals was very close (difference < 6.0%) to the arithmetic mean of the sap flux densities measured separately by means of individual sensors (using two or more input channels). The dynamics of the sap flux density measured by the modified method were similar to those measured by the original method. On a per-channel basis, the modified method reduced the ‘estimation error’ of sap flux density by 4–14-fold compared to the original method. By using the modified Granier system, the error in sap flow measurement that is usually associated with limited sampling can be substantially reduced without the need for extra dataloggers, the greatest item of expense.

The importance of conduction versus convection in heat pulse sap flow methods

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 683-694
Author(s):  
Michael A Forster
Keyword(s):  
Flux Density ◽  
Sap Flow ◽  
Peclet Number ◽  
Velocity Measurement ◽  
Measurement Range ◽  
Heat Pulse ◽  
Sap Flux ◽  
Sap Flux Density ◽  
Péclet Number ◽  
Fast Methods

Abstract Heat pulse methods are a popular approach for estimating sap flow and transpiration. Yet, many methods are unable to resolve the entire heat velocity measurement range observable in plants. Specifically, the Heat Ratio (HRM) and Tmax heat pulse methods can only resolve slow and fast velocities, respectively. The Dual Method Approach (DMA) combines optimal data from HRM and Tmax to output the entire range of heat velocity. However, the transition between slow and fast methods in the DMA currently does not have a theoretical solution. A re-consideration of the conduction/convection equation demonstrated that the HRM equation is equivalent to the Péclet equation which is the ratio of conduction to convection. This study tested the hypothesis that the transition between slow and fast methods occurs when conduction/convection, or the Péclet number, equals one, and the DMA would be improved via the inclusion of this transition value. Sap flux density was estimated via the HRM, Tmax and DMA methods and compared with gravimetric sap flux density measured via a water pressure system on 113 stems from 15 woody angiosperm species. When the Péclet number ≤ 1, the HRM yielded accurate results and the Tmax was out of range. When the Péclet number &gt; 1, the HRM reached a maximum heat velocity at approximately 15 cm hr −1 and was no longer accurate, whereas the Tmax yielded accurate results. The DMA was able to output accurate data for the entire measurement range observed in this study. The linear regression analysis with gravimetric sap flux showed an r2 of 0.541 for HRM, 0.879 for Tmax and 0.940 for DMA. With the inclusion of the Péclet equation, the DMA resolved the entire heat velocity measurement range observed across 15 taxonomically diverse woody species. Consequently, the HRM and Tmax are redundant sap flow methods and have been superseded by the DMA.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Variability in Soil Moisture Measurements by Capacitance Sensors in a Drip-Irrigated Orchard

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 5100
Author(s):  
Jesús María Domínguez-Niño ◽  
Jordi Oliver-Manera ◽  
Gerard Arbat ◽  
Joan Girona ◽  
Jaume Casadesús
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Natural Variability ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Virtual Sensors ◽  
Soil Moisture Sensors ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Recorded Data ◽  
Maintenance Requirements ◽  
Possible Cause

Among the diverse techniques for monitoring soil moisture, capacitance-type soil moisture sensors are popular because of their low cost, low maintenance requirements, and acceptable performance. However, although in laboratory conditions the accuracy of these sensors is good, when installed in the field they tend to show large sensor-to-sensor differences, especially under drip irrigation. It makes difficult to decide in which positions the sensors are installed and the interpretation of the recorded data. The aim of this paper is to study the variability involved in the measurement of soil moisture by capacitance sensors in a drip-irrigated orchard and, using this information, find ways to optimize their usage to manage irrigation. For this purpose, the study examines the uncertainties in the measurement process plus the natural variability in the actual soil water dynamics. Measurements were collected by 57 sensors, located at 10 combinations of depth and position relative to the dripper. Our results showed large sensor-to-sensor differences, even when installed at equivalent depth and coordinates relative to the drippers. In contrast, differences among virtual sensors simulated using a HYDRUS-3D model at those soil locations were one order of magnitude smaller. Our results highlight, as a possible cause for the sensor-to-sensor differences in the measurements by capacitance sensors, the natural variability in size, shape, and centering of the wet area below the drippers, combined with the sharply defined variation in water content at the soil scale perceived by the sensors.

scholarly journals Rainfall pattern greatly affects water use by Mongolian Scots pine on a sandy soil, in a semi-arid climate

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongzhong Dang ◽  
Lizhen Zhang ◽  
Wenbin Yang ◽  
Jinchao Feng ◽  
Hui Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Sandy Soil ◽  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Rainfall Pattern ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Sap Flux ◽  
Sap Flux Density ◽  
Tree Water Use ◽  
Moderate Drought

Abstract. We report new information on tree water use by Mongolian Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) growing on a sandy soil, in a region characterised by an erratic rainfall pattern. Measurements were made over three successive years of contrasting annual rainfall – a wet year (2013), a dry year (2014), and a second dry year (2015). The result was the development of worsening levels of drought year by year. Over the three years, sap flux density (Js) was measured at individual tree level in up to 25 trees. The sap flux density values were up-scaled to estimate tree water use at plot level (Ts). Our measurements follow forest plot response to increasing levels of drought which developed over a three-year period as soil moisture conditions gradually worsened from wet, to moderate-drought, to severe-drought, to extreme-drought, in response to the dynamics of a variable rainfall pattern. Values of Ts did not exceed 3.03 mm day−1 (2013), 1.75 mm day−1 (2014) and 1.59 mm day−1 (2015) during the three growing seasons. Total annual stand transpiration over the same three years declined progressively from 290 mm (2013), to 182 mm (2014) and to 175 mm (2015). Satisfactory power-function relationships (R2 = 0.64) between daily Ts and the product of ET0 and the relative extractable soil water (REW) were found. This study helps elucidate the interplay between the effects of the atmosphere and soil moisture on tree water use. Tree water use responded to drought, with daily Ts values decreasing by 5–46 % in response to moderate drought, by 48–62 % in response to severe drought and by 65 % in response to extreme drought. Upon release of moderate drought by heavy rainfall in 2013, daily Ts recovered completely. However, under the severe and extreme droughts in the subsequent dry years, recovery of Ts following heavy rainfall was incomplete (57–58 %). Our results highlight the negative effects of water stress on the growth of mature forest trees, in a sandy soil, in a climate characterised by large intra- and inter-annual variances in rainfall. When the erratic rainfall and sandy soil were also coupled with a declining groundwater table, the result was tree water use fluctuated widely over quite short time scales (months or weeks). Overall, our findings account for the observed premature degradation of these MP plantations in terms of an eco-hydrological perspective.

scholarly journals Hydrotropic Root Behavior in Water-Saving Cultivation: A High-Resolution Monitoring Study of Soil Water Dynamics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qichen Li ◽  
Toshiaki Sugihara ◽  
Sakae Shibusawa ◽  
Minzan Li
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Root System ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Saving ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Soil Water Dynamics ◽  
Soil Moisture Sensors ◽  
Wet Zone

Abstract BackgroundSubsurface irrigation has been confirmed to have high water use efficiency due to it irrigating only the crop root zone. Hydrotropism allows roots to grow towards higher water content areas for drought avoidance, which has research interests in recent years. However, most hydrotropism studies focused on a single root and were conducted in air or agar systems. The performance of hydrotropism in subsurface irrigation is not clear. ResultsWe developed a method to observe and analyze hydrotropism in soil under water-saving cultivation. A wet zone was produced around the whole root system based on using subsurface irrigation method and micro soil water dynamics were observed using high-resolution soil moisture sensors. This method enabled the observation and analysis of plant water absorption activities and the hydrotropic response of the root system. In the analysis, we first applied a high-pass filter and fast Fourier transform to the soil water dynamics data. The results indicated that the plant’s biological rhythm of photosynthetic activities can be identified from the soil moisture data. We then observed root growth in response to the dynamics of soil water content in the wet zone. We quantified root distribution inside and outside the wet zone and observed the shape of the root system from the cross-section of the wet zone. The results showed that the root hydrotropic response is not uniform for all roots of an individual plant. ConclusionsThis study verified the feasibility of using high-resolution soil moisture sensors to study root hydrotropic responses in soil during water-saving cultivation. To further evaluate a plant’s hydrotropic ability, it is necessary to use statistical analysis and/or a non-deterministic approach. Future studies may also explore developing an automated experimental system and robotic manipulations for getting steady repeatable observation of hydrotropism in water-saving cultivation.

A direct method for estimating the average sap flux density using a modified Granier measuring system.

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Lu
Keyword(s):  
Flux Density ◽  
Sap Flow ◽  
Direct Method ◽  
Estimation Error ◽  
Original Method ◽  
Measuring System ◽  
Sap Flux ◽  
Sap Flux Density ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Modified Method

The Granier sap flow measuring system that normally uses one analogue input channel of a datalogger for each sensor was modified to enable one channel to measure the average value of signals from two or more sensors. The sap flux density calculated from this average value of signals was very close (difference < 6.0%) to the arithmetic mean of the sap flux densities measured separately by means of individual sensors (using two or more input channels). The dynamics of the sap flux density measured by the modified method were similar to those measured by the original method. On a per-channel basis, the modified method reduced the ‘estimation error’ of sap flux density by 4–14-fold compared to the original method. By using the modified Granier system, the error in sap flow measurement that is usually associated with limited sampling can be substantially reduced without the need for extra dataloggers, the greatest item of expense.

scholarly journals Radial variations in xylem sap flux in a temperate red pine plantation forest

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alanna V. Bodo ◽  
M. Altaf Arain
Keyword(s):  
Flux Density ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Sap Flow ◽  
Xylem Sap ◽  
Red Pine ◽  
Sap Flux ◽  
Plantation Forest ◽  
Sap Flux Density ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Sapwood Area

Abstract Background Scaling sap flux measurements to whole-tree water use or stand-level transpiration is often done using measurements conducted at a single point in the sapwood of the tree and has the potential to cause significant errors. Previous studies have shown that much of this uncertainty is related to (i) measurement of sapwood area and (ii) variations in sap flow at different depths within the tree sapwood. Results This study measured sap flux density at three depth intervals in the sapwood of 88-year-old red pine (Pinus resinosa) trees to more accurately estimate water-use at the tree- and stand-level in a plantation forest near Lake Erie in Southern Ontario, Canada. Results showed that most of the water transport (65%) occurred in the outermost sapwood, while only 26% and 9% of water was transported in the middle and innermost depths of sapwood, respectively. Conclusions These results suggest that failing to consider radial variations in sap flux density within trees can lead to an overestimation of transpiration by as much as 81%, which may cause large uncertainties in water budgets at the ecosystem and catchment scale. This study will help to improve our understanding of water use dynamics and reduce uncertainties in sap flow measurements in the temperate pine forest ecosystems in the Great Lakes region and help in protecting these forests in the face of climate change.

scholarly journals Monitoring and Controlling Ebb-and-flow Subirrigation with Soil Moisture Sensors

HortScience ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhuanito Soranz Ferrarezi ◽  
Marc W. van Iersel ◽  
Roberto Testezlaf
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Water Movement ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Data Logger ◽  
Bottom Part ◽  
Shoot Height ◽  
Nutrient Runoff ◽  
Soil Moisture Sensors ◽  
Ebb And Flow

Subirrigation can reduce water loss and nutrient runoff from greenhouses, because used nutrient solution is collected and recirculated. Capacitance moisture sensors can monitor substrate volumetric water content (θ) and control subirrigation based on minimum θ thresholds, providing an alternative to timers. Our objectives were to automate an ebb-and-flow subirrigation system using capacitance moisture sensors, monitor moisture dynamics within the containers, and determine the effect of five θ thresholds (0.10, 0.18, 0.26, 0.34, or 0.42 m3·m−3) on hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex Hiern.) ‘Panama Red’ (PP20,121) growth. Subirrigation was monitored using capacitance sensors connected to a multiplexer and a data logger and controlled using a relay driver connected to submersible pumps. As the substrate θ dropped below the thresholds, irrigation was turned on for 3 min followed by 3-min drainage. Capacitance sensors effectively controlled subirrigation by irrigating only when substrate θ dropped below the thresholds. Each irrigation cycle resulted in a rapid increase in substrate θ, from 0.10 to ≈0.33 m3·m−3 with the 0.10-m3·m−3 irrigation threshold vs. an increase in θ from 0.42 to 0.49 m3·m−3 with the 0.42-m3·m−3 irrigation threshold. Less nutrient solution was used in the lower θ threshold treatments, indicating that sensor control can reduce water and thus fertilizer use in subirrigation systems. The water dynamics showed that the bottom part of the pots was saturated after irrigation with θ decreasing quickly after an irrigation event, presumably because of drainage. However, the water movement among substrate layers was slow with the 0.10-m3·m−3 irrigation threshold with water reaching the upper layer 5.5 to 20 h after irrigation. The 0.10-m3·m−3 θ threshold resulted in 81% fewer irrigations and 70% less nutrient solution use compared with the 0.42-m3·m−3 θ threshold. However, the 0.10-m3·m−3 θ threshold also reduced hibiscus shoot height by 30%, shoot dry weight 74%, and compactness by 63% compared with the 0.42-m3·m−3 θ threshold. Our results indicate that soil moisture sensors can be used to control subirrigation based on plant water use and substrate water and to manipulate plant growth, thus providing a tool to improve control over plant quality in subirrigation systems.

scholarly journals New Representation of Plant Hydraulics Improves the Estimates of Transpiration in Land Surface Model

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 722
Author(s):  
Hongmei Li ◽  
Xingjie Lu ◽  
Zhongwang Wei ◽  
Siguang Zhu ◽  
Nan Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Hydraulic Redistribution ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Bias Score ◽  
Plant Hydraulics ◽  
Common Land Model ◽  
Semi Arid

Transpiration represents more than 30% of the global land–atmosphere water exchange but is highly uncertain. Plant hydraulics was ignored in traditional land surface modeling, but recently plant hydraulics has been found to play an essential role in transpiration simulation. A new physical-based representation of plant hydraulic schemes (PHS) was recently developed and implemented in the Common Land Model (CoLM). However, it is unclear to what extent PHS can reduce these uncertainties. Here, we evaluated the PHS against measurements obtained at 81 FLUXNET sites. The transpiration of each site was estimated using an empirical evapotranspiration partitioning approach. The metric scores defined by the International Land Model Benchmarking Project (ILAMB) were used to evaluate the model performance and compare it with that of the CoLM default scheme (soil moisture stress (SMS)). The bias score of transpiration in PHS was higher than SMS for most sites, and more significant improvements were found in semi-arid and arid sites where transpiration was limited by soil moisture. The hydraulic redistribution in PHS optimized the soil water supply and thus improved the transpiration estimates. In humid sites, no significant improvement in seasonal or interannual variability of transpiration was simulated by PHS, which can be explained by the insensitivity of transpiration demand coupled to the photosynthesis response to precipitation. In arid and semi-arid sites, seasonal or interannual variability of transpiration was better captured by PHS than SMS, which was interpreted by the improved drought sensitivity for transpiration. Arid land is widespread and is expected to expand due to climate change, thus there is an urgent need to couple PHS in land surface models.

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