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Forests
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Sap Flow Measurements—A Tool To Talk with Trees
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Sap Flow Measurements—A Tool To Talk with Trees

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecophysiology and Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (21 November 2023) | Viewed by 9264

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Nadezhda Nadezhdina

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Guest Editor
Department of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocoenology (FFWT), Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 3, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic
Interests: plantation-water relation; sap flow; hydraulic redistribution; tree hydraulic architecture; silviculture; forest cultivation; forest growth modelling; plant physiology; root ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Benye Xi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua East Road 35, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: plantation-water relation; sustainable water management in plantations; root system structure and function; the relationship between air pollution and plants
Dr. Jie Duan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua East Road 35, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: silviculture; urban forestry; sustainable forest management; sustainable energy; plant-water relations; seedling; life-cycle assessment; forest modeling; forest resource monitoring

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is difficult to imagine a more important plant trait than sap flow in tree physiology research. Since thermodynamics methods for sap flow measurements were first developed, they have been broadly used in a wide scale of research as they allow automatic recording of transpiration, water uptake, and water redistribution in any tree organs with high time resolution in the long term. Gradual advances in sap flow methodology have expanded the borders of the traditional application of this unique trait from the determination of tree water balance and irrigation scheduling to a deeper understanding of tree behavior and assessment of tree vitality. Same as electrocardiograms are important for evaluating people’s heart status, it can be said that sap flow records (phytograms) are the way we are communicating with trees to evaluate plant water status and understand tree behavior under variable environments. Such phytomonitoring in combination with experimental treatments magnifies the efficiency of our “talk” with trees with the aim to collect their insights.

In this SI, we are calling for novel original papers on sap flow methodology and applications in different fields of tree or forest research and irrigation scheduling which reflect new aspects of our communication with trees and demonstrate how deep we are in understanding their life. If we can comprehend how a tree deals in the harsh environment, we could better help our mute and motionless Earth inhabitants to overcome the negativity of fast global climate change.

This Special Issue is partially supported by The National Key Research and Development Program of China (grant number 2021YFD2201200).

Prof. Dr. Nadezhda Nadezhdina
Prof. Dr. Benye Xi
Dr. Jie Duan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • sap flow methodology
  • forest hydrology
  • transpiration
  • water relation
  • water uptake
  • hydraulic redistribution
  • tree hydraulic architecture
  • irrigation scheduling
  • plant water status
  • tree vitality

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 4235 KiB  
Article
Thinning vs. Pruning: Impacts on Sap Flow Density and Water Use Efficiency in Young Populus tomentosa Plantations in Northern China
by Yan Liu, Yadong Liu, Shuanglei Qi, Ziying Fan, Yadan Xue, Qingxuan Tang, Zhengyuan Liu, Xiaomin Zheng, Chuangye Wu, Benye Xi and Jie Duan
Forests 2024, 15(3), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15030536 - 14 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1222
Abstract
Water is a vital resource for tree growth, and changes in plantation and canopy structure can affect stand transpiration (Ec), consequently influencing water use efficiency (WUE). Populus tomentosa is a fast-growing and productive timber species in China. In [...] Read more.
Water is a vital resource for tree growth, and changes in plantation and canopy structure can affect stand transpiration (Ec), consequently influencing water use efficiency (WUE). Populus tomentosa is a fast-growing and productive timber species in China. In recent years, thinning combined with pruning has become a widely used silvicultural practice for timber management. However, its effect on water utilization has been less well studied. To address this gap, we designed experiments with two thinning intensities and three pruning treatments. Thermal dissipation probes were employed to monitor tree sap flow density (Js), and estimated Ec and canopy conductance (gc). We established a relationship between the canopy transpiration per unit leaf area (EL) and gc and climatic factors. Finally, we compared basal area increment (BAI) and WUE among treatments under different rainfall conditions. The results indicated that: (1) The pattern of transpiration changes was consistent at both the individual tree and stand level. (2) The combined effect of T1 (thinning intensity of 833 trees per hectare) and pruning reduced Ec, decreasing the sensitivity of tree transpiration to the climate, with no discernible impact on EL and gc. Conversely, T2 (thinning intensity of 416 trees per hectare) and pruning increased EL and gc but had no effect on Ec, enhancing the sensitivity of tree transpiration to the climate. The sensitivity of gc to VPD suggested a flexible stomatal regulation of transpiration under different combined thinning and pruning treatments. (3) Under T1, only P2 (4 m pruning from ground) promoted WUE, while pruning effects significantly reduced WUE under T2. Overall, the WUE of T2P0 (thinning intensity of 416 trees per hectare combined with no pruning) was significantly higher than that of the other treatments, and that of T1P0 (thinning intensity of 833 trees per hectare combined with no pruning) was significantly lower than that of the other treatments. Additionally, significant differences in Ec and BAI were observed among treatments under different rainfall conditions, with the promotion effect of Ec on BAI being more pronounced in the dry season. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sap Flow Measurements—A Tool To Talk with Trees)
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25 pages, 13266 KiB  
Article
Response of Typical Tree Species Sap Flow to Environmental Factors in the Hilly Areas of Haihe River Basin, China
by Shuying Han, Qingming Wang, Yong Zhao, Jiaqi Zhai, Xiang Wang, Yan Hao, Linghui Li, Xing Li, Haihong Li and Jiansheng Cao
Forests 2024, 15(2), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15020294 - 3 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1250
Abstract
Understanding developments in the trunk sap flow of prevalent tree species within the hilly areas of the Haihe River basin is imperative for ecosystem conservation. Nevertheless, the changes in sap flow of local trees and their response to environmental factors remain elusive. This [...] Read more.
Understanding developments in the trunk sap flow of prevalent tree species within the hilly areas of the Haihe River basin is imperative for ecosystem conservation. Nevertheless, the changes in sap flow of local trees and their response to environmental factors remain elusive. This study focuses on seven dominant tree species in the hilly area of the Haihe River basin and analyzed the relationship between tree sap flow rate and environmental factors at different time scales (hourly and daily). Our findings suggested: (1) Regardless of the time scale, total solar irradiance played a primary role in influencing sap flow rate. Conversely, as the time scale grew, the associations between most soil factors and sap flow rate enhanced, while those with meteorological factors declined. Notably, soil temperature exerted a more profound influence on sap flow rate than soil moisture and conductivity. (2) At the hourly scale, the sap flow rate of each species had a lag effect of 1–2 h with vapour pressure deficit, relative humidity and temperature, and 1 h or no lag effect with total solar irradiance and wind speed. (3) The response model of sap flow rate and environmental factors showed that, except for Pinus tabuliformis Carr., other tree species fit well at various time scales (R2 ≥ 0.59). As the time scale of most tree species increased from hourly scale to daily scale, the fit gradually weakened. Concurrently, considering the time-lag effect, the accuracy of the model has been improved, and the fitting accuracy of Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm. and Pinus tabuliformis Carr. has been significantly improved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sap Flow Measurements—A Tool To Talk with Trees)
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17 pages, 7472 KiB  
Article
Characteristics of Changes in Sap Flow-Based Transpiration of Poplars, Locust Trees, and Willows and Their Response to Environmental Impact Factors
by Xing Li, Jiaqi Zhai, Meng Sun, Kuan Liu, Yong Zhao, Yankun Cao and Yong Wang
Forests 2024, 15(1), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15010090 - 2 Jan 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1460
Abstract
The sap flow and transpiration of three typical tree species (poplar, locust tree, and willow) in Ningxia are crucial for sustaining the ecosystem in the Ningxia Yellow River Irrigation area. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding the variations in sap flow [...] Read more.
The sap flow and transpiration of three typical tree species (poplar, locust tree, and willow) in Ningxia are crucial for sustaining the ecosystem in the Ningxia Yellow River Irrigation area. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding the variations in sap flow and transpiration of these trees and their corresponding responses to environmental factors. From February to December 2021, this study selected 30 samples representing the three typical trees in the irrigation area and monitored their tree sapwood sap flow continuously and dynamically using the Thermal Diffusion Probe method. This study yielded several key findings: (1) Variations exist in sap flow density and transpiration among the three typical trees, with willows exhibiting higher sap flow density and transpiration than poplars and locust trees. (2) Tree transpiration showed a highly significant positive correlation with net radiation, temperature, and vapor pressure deficit, along with a highly significant negative correlation with relative humidity. (3) Soil moisture content undergoes changes under precipitation and artificial drip irrigation, but its correlation with tree transpiration is limited. (4) The primary environmental factors influencing poplars, locust trees, and willows are temperature, soil moisture content at a depth of 30 cm, and soil moisture content at a depth of 60 cm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sap Flow Measurements—A Tool To Talk with Trees)
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14 pages, 2296 KiB  
Article
Calibration of Thermal Dissipation Probes for Xylem Sap Flow in the Wood of a Diffuse-Porous and a Conifer Species under Cyclic Heating
by Meijun Hu, Changming Ma, Jinsong Zhang, Yujie Ma, Chunyou Li and Wei Xiong
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1964; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111964 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2512
Abstract
The most popular sap flow measurement technique uses thermal dissipation probes. Differences in wood characteristics and the natural temperature gradient between probes have affected the accuracy and applicability of the sap flow equation. In addition, the continued heat of the probe can also [...] Read more.
The most popular sap flow measurement technique uses thermal dissipation probes. Differences in wood characteristics and the natural temperature gradient between probes have affected the accuracy and applicability of the sap flow equation. In addition, the continued heat of the probe can also cause thermal damage to tree tissue. The objectives of this study were to use cyclic heating and calibrate the probes with two species: Pinus bungeana Zucc. And Salix matsudana Koidz., two typical diffuse-porous species. This experiment evaluated a thermal dissipation probe in three heating modes: continuous heating, 10 min heating and 50 min cooling (10/50), and 30 min heating and 30 min cooling (30/30). The heating modes were evaluated on two species. Temperature differences between the heating needle and the control needle under different heating modes and transpiration water consumption (whole-tree weighing method) were observed simultaneously. The sap flow estimation equation under cyclic heating mode was established by analyzing the relationship between the sap flow rate and the values obtained from whole-tree weighing. The results showed that the original equation underestimated sap flow rate of P. bungeana and S. matsudana by 67% and 60%. Under the cyclic heating modes, the modified equations were different from the original equation, and their accuracy was improved. After verification, the corrected equations [Fd = 0.0264K0.738 (P. bungeana, 30/30, R2 = 0.67), Fd = 0.0722K1.113(S. matsudana, 30/30, R2 = 0.60), Fd is the sap flow density, K is temperature coefficient] reduced the influence of the natural temperature gradient on the estimation of sap flow rate, thereby significantly improving the accuracy of sap flow rate estimation. The resulting equation may be more suitable for actual field observations of sap flow in the two tested species. The cyclic heating mode has the potential to measure plant transpiration for extended periods in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sap Flow Measurements—A Tool To Talk with Trees)
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24 pages, 4732 KiB  
Article
Water Storage and Use by Platycladus orientalis under Different Rainfall Conditions in the Rocky Mountainous Area of Northern China
by Xiao Zhang, Xinxiao Yu, Bingbing Ding, Zihe Liu and Guodong Jia
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1761; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111761 - 26 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1552
Abstract
Tree water transport and utilization are essential for maintaining ecosystem stability in seasonally arid areas. However, it is not clear how Platycladus orientalis absorbs, consumes via transpiration, and stores water under varying precipitation conditions. Therefore, this study used stem sap flow thermal dissipation [...] Read more.
Tree water transport and utilization are essential for maintaining ecosystem stability in seasonally arid areas. However, it is not clear how Platycladus orientalis absorbs, consumes via transpiration, and stores water under varying precipitation conditions. Therefore, this study used stem sap flow thermal dissipation probes and hydrogen and oxygen isotope tracing technology to observe different water control treatments in a P. orientalis plantation. We found that the average daily sap flow of P. orientalis under different water control treatments had the following order: no rainfall (NR) < half rainfall (HR) < double rainfall (DR) < natural rainfall (AR). The percentage of nocturnal sap flow was as follows: AR (13.34%) < NR (19.62%) < DR (20.84%) < HR (30.90%). The percentage of water storage was NR (4.13%) < AR (4.49%) < DR (6.75%) < HR (9.29%). The sap flow of P. orientalis was primarily affected by vapor pressure deficit and solar radiation, with a degree of influence of DR < NR < HR < AR. The response of P. orientalis sap flow to environmental factors differed due to the soil changes in relative extractable water (REW) before and after precipitation. During high REW conditions, environmental factors have a higher impact on sap flow. The source of water absorbed changed regularly with the precipitation gradient. When soil water content increased, the water source used by P. orientalis gradually changed to shallow soil. Compared to before and after precipitation, there was no significant change except for NR. P. orientalis could regularly adjust the activities of transpiration water consumption, water storage, and absorption. This adaptive property is conducive to survival through extreme drought stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sap Flow Measurements—A Tool To Talk with Trees)
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