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Xylem hydraulic properties in subtropical coniferous trees influence radial patterns of sap flow: implications for whole tree transpiration estimates using sap flow sensors

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A high spatial resolution dataset of sap flux density in subtropical conifers is used to assess the minimum number and location of sap flow sensors required to monitor tree transpiration accurately.

Abstract

Tree transpiration is commonly estimated by methods based on in situ sap flux density (SFD) measurements, where the upscaling of SFD from point measurements to the individual tree has been identified as the main source of error. The literature indicates that the variation in SFD with radial position across a tree stem section can exhibit a wide range of patterns. Adequate capture of the SFD profile may require a large number of point measurements, which is likely to be prohibited. Thus, it is of value to develop protocols, which rationalize the number of point measurements, while retaining a satisfactory precision in the tree SFD estimates. This study investigates cross-sectional SFD variability within a tree and successively for six individual trees within a stand of Pinus elliottii var. elliottii × caribaea var. hondurensis (PEE × PCH). The stand is part of a plantation in subtropical coastal Australia. SFD is estimated using the Heat Field Deformation method simultaneously for four cardinal directions with measurements at six depths from the cambium. This yields a reference value of single tree SFD based on the twenty-four point measurements. Large variability of SFD is observed with measurement depth, cardinal direction and selected tree. We suggest that this is linked to the occurrence of successive narrow early and latewood rings with contrasting-specific hydraulic conductivities and wood water contents. Thus, an accurate placement of sensors within each ring is difficult to achieve in the field with the sensor footprint covering several rings of both early and latewood. Based on the reference dataset, we identified both an “ideal” setup and an “optimal” setup in terms of cost effectiveness and accuracy. Our study shows the need of using a systematic protocol to optimize the number of sensors to be used as a trade-off between precision and cost. It includes a preliminary assessment of the SFD variability at a high spatial resolution, and only then based on this, an appropriate placement of sensors for the long-term monitoring.

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Author contribution statement

A.G. did the analysis and the interpretation of the data. A.G. wrote the paper. A.G., K.O., J.F. and D.L. designed the study. A.G, K.O. and J.F. performed the measurements and processed the data. N.S. performed the microscopic analyses of the xylem.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Alexis Gertz, Mothei Lenkopane, Amy White, Yanzi Xiao and Chenming Zhang for their help during the fieldwork, in particular for the harvesting day. The authors would also like to thank ICT International for their feedback about the instruments. We acknowledge the insightful suggestions from the associate editors and the three anonymous reviewers. The National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training is a co-funded Centre of Excellence of the Australian Research Council and the National Water Commission. Forestry Plantation Queensland supported the work by allowing access to instrument the site and graciously offering the trees.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia

    Adrien Guyot, Junliang Fan, Nadia S. Santini & David A. Lockington

  2. School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia

    Adrien Guyot, Kasper T. Ostergaard, Junliang Fan & David A. Lockington

  3. University of Technology, Sydney, PO Box 123, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia

    Nadia S. Santini

Authors
  1. Adrien Guyot
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  2. Kasper T. Ostergaard
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  3. Junliang Fan
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  4. Nadia S. Santini
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  5. David A. Lockington
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Correspondence to Adrien Guyot.

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Communicated by A. Franco.

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Guyot, A., Ostergaard, K.T., Fan, J. et al. Xylem hydraulic properties in subtropical coniferous trees influence radial patterns of sap flow: implications for whole tree transpiration estimates using sap flow sensors. Trees 29, 961–972 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-014-1144-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-014-1144-5

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