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Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice
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Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 25887

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yanhui Wang

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Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Nature Conservation, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
Interests: forest hydrology; forest ecology; forest soil; forest ecosystem service; multifunctional forestry and forest management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Feger

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Forest Sciences, Institute of Soil Science and Site Ecology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01737 Tharandt, Germany
Interests: environmental impact assessment; environmental analysis; water resources management; hydrological modeling; soil; water quality; climate change; rivers; plant ecology
Dr. Lulu Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources, Ammonstrasse 74, 01067 Dresden, Germany
Interests: environmental science; climate change; water balance; watershed hydrology; hydrological modeling; soil and water conservation; soil science; environmental impact assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The newly emerging field of forest ecohydrology aims to understand, quantify and utilize complex forest–water interactions. Forests’ impacts on water (quantity, quality, and timing) have been studied in traditional forest hydrology, firstly focused on the impacts of forest cover, but increasingly also with forest structure and spatiotemporal patterns. However, the dynamic responses of forest ecosystems to water availability and other factors are slow and often delayed, and therefore less studied. Moreover, scale-dependent and site-specific forest–water interactions must be interpreted by the combined ecological and hydrological process response to influencing factors and management schemes. This is vitally important for the development of forest ecohydrology. Against this background, this Special Issue welcomes studies presenting new knowledge, innovative methods/techniques and models of forest ecohydrology. This includes: 1) the responses of structural dynamics and the spatial patterns of forests to water-related and other factors; 2) the mechanism and scale effect of forest hydrological impacts; 3) the coupling of forest eco- and hydrological processes and modelling; 4) application cases of forest ecohydrology in forest management for desired ecosystem services. Original research and reviews targeted at the understanding, quantification and utilization of forest–water interactions at various scales are particularly encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Yanhui Wang
Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Feger
Dr. Lulu Zhang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • forest ecohydrology
  • stand structure
  • spatial distribution
  • hydrological process
  • ecological process
  • scale effect and scaling
  • ecohydrological models
  • forest-water interaction
  • integrated forest-water management
  • forest ecosystem service

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 11175 KiB  
Article
Effects of Topography and Social Position on the Solar Radiation of Individual Trees on a Hillslope in Northwest China
by Jiamei Li, Pengtao Yu, Yanfang Wan, Yanhui Wang, Bingbing Liu and Yipeng Yu
Forests 2023, 14(3), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14030561 - 12 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1675
Abstract
Solar radiation is a key factor influencing the photosynthesis and transpiration of trees. In mountainous regions, solar radiation income exhibits strong spatial heterogeneity due to topographical variations and the structural complexity of the forest. However, how the solar radiation income of individual trees [...] Read more.
Solar radiation is a key factor influencing the photosynthesis and transpiration of trees. In mountainous regions, solar radiation income exhibits strong spatial heterogeneity due to topographical variations and the structural complexity of the forest. However, how the solar radiation income of individual trees in different social positions varies with slope position remains unclear. In this study, the daily solar radiation of the horizontal ground (Rh), different slope positions (i.e., at different locations on a hillslope, Rs) and individual trees with different social positions in the forest (Ri) were monitored from May to October in 2020 and 2021. The daily solar radiation income of a single hillslope (Rf) was applied to quantify the Rs response to the slope and aspect (i.e., slope effect) and the shade from the opposite mountain (i.e., shaded terrain effect). Our results showed that the Rf was 27.8% lower than Rh due to the slope effect of the sample slope. In the different slope positions, 2.7%–46.9% of solar radiation was lost due to the shaded terrain effect. A stronger limitation of Rs by the shaded terrain effect was detected on the bottom slope compared to that of the upper slope. The better the social position of an individual tree (i.e., tree dominance (Dom) and the distance between trees (D)), the more solar radiation it received, ranging from 22.4 to 95.3%. The dominant factor contributing to changes in Ri was slope position followed by D and Dom and, finally, Rh. These results provide an important basis for understanding the role of topography and tree social positions in solar radiation income in mountainous regions. Forest management measures should be varied with slope positions in mountainous regions, and forest density (i.e., distance between trees) should be considered as a key factor to optimize the forest functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice)
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14 pages, 4637 KiB  
Article
Water Retention Capacity of Leaf Litter According to Field Lysimetry
by Taehyun Kim, Jungyoon Kim, Jeman Lee, Hyun Seok Kim, Juhan Park and Sangjun Im
Forests 2023, 14(3), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14030478 - 27 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2363
Abstract
The water retention capacity of forest leaf litter was estimated through lysimeter measurements under field conditions. Six lysimeters were placed in Pinus koraiensis and Quercus acutissima forests and filled with the surrounding leaf litter to represent the effects of litter type on the [...] Read more.
The water retention capacity of forest leaf litter was estimated through lysimeter measurements under field conditions. Six lysimeters were placed in Pinus koraiensis and Quercus acutissima forests and filled with the surrounding leaf litter to represent the effects of litter type on the water retention capacity. Two years of measurements for rainfall and litter weight have been conducted in all lysimeters at 30 min intervals. Field measurements showed that P. koraiensis litter stored more water during rainfall periods than did Q. acutissima litter. As a result, immediately after the cessation of rainfall, 1.82 mm and 3.00 mm of water were retained per unit mass of Q. acutissima and P. koraiensis litter, respectively. Following rainfall, after the gravitational flow had entirely drained, the remaining water adhered to the litter was estimated to be 1.66 ± 1.72 mm and 2.72 ± 2.82 mm per unit mass per rainfall event for Q. acutissima and P. koraiensis litter, respectively. During the study period, approximately 83.7% of incident rainfall drained into the uppermost soil layer below the Q. acutissima litter, whereas 84.5% of rainfall percolated through the P. koraiensis litter. The moisture depletion curves indicated that 50% of the water retained in the Q. acutissima and P. koraiensis litter was lost via evaporation within 27 h and 90 h after the cessation of rainfall, respectively. This study demonstrated the water retention storage of leaf litter and its contribution to the water balance over floor litter according to litter and rainfall characteristics. The results also proved that lysimetry is a reliable method to quantify the variation of litter moisture under natural conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice)
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17 pages, 3032 KiB  
Article
Hydrological Properties of Soil and Litter Layers of Four Forest Types Restored in the Gully Erosion Area of Latosol in South China
by Zhihua Tu, Suyi Chen, Zexian Chen, Dongshuo Ruan, Wei Zhang, Yujie Han, Lin Han, Kang Wang, Yanping Huang and Jinhui Chen
Forests 2023, 14(2), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14020360 - 11 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2134
Abstract
Litter and soil play an important role in influencing hydrological processes and the global water cycle. Artificial afforestation, as a part of vegetation restoration, was constructed in the gully erosion areas of latosol with the objective to prevent erosion. Variations in the hydrological [...] Read more.
Litter and soil play an important role in influencing hydrological processes and the global water cycle. Artificial afforestation, as a part of vegetation restoration, was constructed in the gully erosion areas of latosol with the objective to prevent erosion. Variations in the hydrological properties in soils that have undergone vegetation restoration from gully erosion are not well understood. In this study, we examine the variations in the litter thickness and mass, soil structure and porosity, and hydrological properties of four forest types (eucalyptus–grass forest, bamboo–grass forest, acacia–grass forest, and shrub–grass forest). The results show that the total litter thickness varied from 1.71 to 3.74 cm and was highest in the acacia–grass forest. The total litter mass for the acacia–grass forest, 3.49 ± 0.06 t·ha−1, was significantly higher than that for the other forest types. The mass of the undecomposed litter (UL) layer was significantly lower than that of the semi-decomposed litter (SL). (2) The maximum water-retention capacity (Wmax) and effective water-retention capacity (Weff) of the SL layer were greater than those of the UL layer. The Wmax and Weff for the acacia–grass forest were markedly larger than those of the eucalyptus–grass, bamboo–grass, and shrub–grass forests. The water absorption rates of the SL and UL layers were highest during the onset of the immersion experiment, declined exponentially with time, and declined rapidly in the first 2 h. (4) The soil bulk density ranged from 1.46 g·cm−3 to 1.54 g·cm−3, and the total porosity ranged from 32.06% to 37.13%. The soil bulk density increased with the increasing soil depth, while the total porosity decreased gradually. The soil water-holding capacity of the soil layer of 0–60 cm in the acacia–grass forest (301.76 t·ha−1) was greater than that of the other forest types. A comprehensive evaluation of the water conservation capacity by the entropy weight method showed that the water conservation capacity was greatest in the acacia–grass forest. The higher water-holding capacity of the acacia–grass forest may be more effective in enhancing rainfall interception, minimizing splash erosion, and decreasing surface runoff. Here, the results indicate that acacia–grass forest restoration can mitigate soil erosion by favoring soil and water conservation, improving the environment in the gully erosion area of latosol. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice)
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15 pages, 2349 KiB  
Article
Variability in Snowpack Isotopic Composition between Open and Forested Areas in the West Siberian Forest Steppe
by Dmitry Pershin, Natalia Malygina, Dmitry Chernykh, Roman Biryukov, Dmitry Zolotov and Lilia Lubenets
Forests 2023, 14(1), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14010160 - 16 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1702
Abstract
The stable water isotopes in snow (primarily 18O and 2H) are widely used for tracing hydrological and ecological processes. However, isotopic signatures of snow can be significantly modified by topography and land cover. This study assesses spatial and temporal variability of [...] Read more.
The stable water isotopes in snow (primarily 18O and 2H) are widely used for tracing hydrological and ecological processes. However, isotopic signatures of snow can be significantly modified by topography and land cover. This study assesses spatial and temporal variability of the bulk snowpack isotopic composition (δ18O, δ2H, d-excess) between forested (pine and birch) and open areas in the West Siberian forest steppes. Isotopic samples were collected over the peak snow accumulation in 2017–2019. The snow isotopic composition within forested areas differed from open steppes, mainly in reducing d-excess (1.6‰ on average). We did not find a significant effect of canopy interception on snow enrichment in heavier isotopes. Snowpack in the pine forests was even lighter by 3.6‰ for δ2H compared to open areas, probably, due to low energy inputs and interception capacity. Additionally, snow depth significantly influenced the isotopic composition spatial variability. As snow depth increased, δ18O and δ2H values decreased due to conservation within the snowpack and less influence of sublimation and moisture exchange with the soil. However, this pattern was only evident in winters with below-average snow depth. Therefore, taking into account snow depth spatial and seasonal variability is advisable when applying the isotopic methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice)
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12 pages, 3269 KiB  
Article
Transpiration Sensitivity to Drought in Quercus wutaishansea Mary Forests on Shady and Sunny Slopes in the Liupan Mountains, Northwestern China
by Bingbing Liu, Pengtao Yu, Xue Zhang, Jiamei Li, Yipeng Yu, Yanfang Wan, Yanhui Wang, Xiao Wang, Zebin Liu, Lei Pan and Lihong Xu
Forests 2022, 13(12), 1999; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13121999 - 25 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1652
Abstract
Forests in water source areas are important factors for water supply security, soil, and water conservation, and their water consumption from transpiration is strongly affected by site conditions, including the slope aspect. However, the lack of research on how the slope aspect interferes [...] Read more.
Forests in water source areas are important factors for water supply security, soil, and water conservation, and their water consumption from transpiration is strongly affected by site conditions, including the slope aspect. However, the lack of research on how the slope aspect interferes with the response of stand transpiration to drought has hindered researchers from developing climate-resilient forest–water coordinated, sustainable development plans for different stand conditions. This study was conducted on Quercus wutaishansea forests in the southern part of Liupan Mountain in northwest China, and two sample plots were built on sunny and shady slopes. The responses of stand transpiration to various soil moisture and meteorological conditions on different slope orientations were analyzed. The results showed better-growing stands on shady slopes transpired more and consumed more soil moisture than those on sunny slopes. The soil moisture on shady slopes decreased rapidly below the threshold level during the drought, leading to a limitation of stand transpiration; however, its transpiration recovered rapidly after the drought. In contrast, stand transpiration on sunny slopes was not affected by this drought and maintained its pre-drought rate. Our results suggested that stands with higher water demand on shady slopes were more susceptible to drought when it occurred. This indicated that in the case of frequent droughts, the vegetation should be managed according to the vegetation-carrying capacities resulting from different site conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice)
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16 pages, 2688 KiB  
Article
Variation in Hydraulic Properties of Forest Soils in Temperate Climate Zones
by Victoria Virano-Riquelme, Karl-Heinz Feger and Stefan Julich
Forests 2022, 13(11), 1850; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111850 - 4 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1542
Abstract
The structure of forests in temperate climates has been changing to ensure the resilience of trees. This change affects the local water balance. Knowledge of soil hydraulic properties (SHP) is essential to assess the water cycle in ecosystems. There is little knowledge about [...] Read more.
The structure of forests in temperate climates has been changing to ensure the resilience of trees. This change affects the local water balance. Knowledge of soil hydraulic properties (SHP) is essential to assess the water cycle in ecosystems. There is little knowledge about the impact of tree species on SHP and the water balance. Based on a compilation of 539 related studies we aimed at identifying the effects of tree species and age on SHP in temperate climates. However, most studies concentrated on soil biogeochemical properties, whereas only 256 studies focused on SHP. The literature presents no standard methods for assessing SHP and there is no knowledge of their variations in forests. We present a systematic overview of the current state of knowledge on variations in SHP based on forest type in temperate climates. We identify the gaps and weaknesses in the literature and the difficulties of evaluating the reviewed studies. More studies following standardised methodologies are needed to create a robust database for each forest type and soil texture. It would improve the assessment of the forest water balance through calibrated plot/site-scale process models. Such a database does not yet exist, but it would greatly improve the management and development of future forest ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice)
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20 pages, 3029 KiB  
Article
Differences in Transpiration Characteristics among Eucalyptus Plantations of Three Species on the Leizhou Peninsula, Southern China
by Zhichao Wang, Siru Liu, Yuxing Xu, Wankuan Zhu and Apeng Du
Forests 2022, 13(10), 1544; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13101544 - 21 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2024
Abstract
How much transpiration water consumption varies between eucalyptus species is unknown, making the suitability of a particular eucalyptus species for large-scale planting in a given area, or whether interspecific differences need to be taken into account for eucalyptus water consumption estimates, uncertain. Here, [...] Read more.
How much transpiration water consumption varies between eucalyptus species is unknown, making the suitability of a particular eucalyptus species for large-scale planting in a given area, or whether interspecific differences need to be taken into account for eucalyptus water consumption estimates, uncertain. Here, Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. (Ec), Eucalyptus pellita F. v. Muell. (Ep), the most resistant species, and Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake × Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden (Eug), the most widely planted species, were monitored for sap flow. Their stand transpiration was also estimated and its relationship to various influencing factors analyzed for the same stand age and site, and predictive models for daily transpiration (T) developed. The results showed that the T of all eucalyptus species was jointly influenced by meteorological factors, soil water content (SWC), and leaf area index (LAI), with great variation in the T response to each influencing factor among species. Accordingly, we developed species-specific transpiration prediction models that could adequately explain the changed T of each species (R2-values: 0.863–0.911). There were significant differences in the stand daily mean sap flow density (JC) and transpiration among the three species. Although Ec had a significantly lower JC than Ep, it was significantly higher than Eug on all timescales, where the mean annual JC of Ep (0.11 cm min−1) was 1.4 and 2.6 times that of Ec (0.08 cm min−1) and Eug (0.042 cm min−1), respectively. Transpiration of Eug was significantly less than Ep, but significantly greater than Ec on all timescales, where the annual transpiration of Ep (743.41 mm) was 2.4 and 1.5 times that of Ec (311.52 mm) and Eug (493.58 mm), respectively. These results suggest that interspecific differences cannot be ignored when estimating transpiration rates in Chinese eucalyptus plantations, whose amount of water use should be considered when choosing the most optimal species to plant regionally. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice)
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14 pages, 3945 KiB  
Article
Water Balance Components of Sub-Mediterranean Downy Oak Landscapes of Southeastern Crimea
by Roman Gorbunov, Vladimir Tabunshchik, Tatiana Gorbunova and Mariia Safonova
Forests 2022, 13(9), 1370; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13091370 - 27 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1945
Abstract
This article discusses the processes of moisture intake, redistribution, and consumption within the downy oak forest community, along with their interannual and interseasonal water balance dynamics. The study of the water balance components was conducted using a combination of field research methods and [...] Read more.
This article discusses the processes of moisture intake, redistribution, and consumption within the downy oak forest community, along with their interannual and interseasonal water balance dynamics. The study of the water balance components was conducted using a combination of field research methods and geoinformation modeling on the territory of the Karadag landscape and ecological station of the Karadag Nature Reserve for the period from 2010 to 2020. The study of the water balance of downy oak forests located at the furthest extent of their range represents an important problem, whose solution will further scientific understanding by uncovering individual patterns of the internal organization of such systems. The indicators having the most tangible impact on the water balance are the amount of precipitation and evapotranspiration. The average annual precipitation on the territory of Karadag for the analyzed period was 448 mm; in recent years, a decrease in the amount of precipitation has been recorded. The evapotranspiration values within the downy oak forests approximately coincide with the values of this indicator in the Mediterranean region to average 450 mm per year. The influence of stemflow and relief features on the redistribution of moisture within the landscape is described. The analyzed water balance components’ dynamics form conditions conducive to the displacement of steppe communities by forest species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice)
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17 pages, 4121 KiB  
Article
Canopy Transpiration and Stomatal Conductance Dynamics of Ulmus pumila L. and Caragana korshinskii Kom. Plantations on the Bashang Plateau, China
by Yu Zhang, Wei Li, Haiming Yan, Baoni Xie, Jianxia Zhao, Nan Wang and Xiaomeng Wang
Forests 2022, 13(7), 1081; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13071081 - 9 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1843
Abstract
Constructing protective forests to control water and soil erosion is an effective measure to address land degradation in the Bashang Plateau of North China, but forest dieback has occurred frequently due to severe water deficits in recent decades. However, transpiration dynamics and their [...] Read more.
Constructing protective forests to control water and soil erosion is an effective measure to address land degradation in the Bashang Plateau of North China, but forest dieback has occurred frequently due to severe water deficits in recent decades. However, transpiration dynamics and their biophysical control factors under various soil water contents for different forest functional types are still unknown. Here, canopy transpiration and stomatal conductance of a 38-year-old Ulmus pumila L. and a 20-year-old Caragana korshinskii Kom. were quantified using the sap flow method, while simultaneously monitoring the meteorological and soil water content. The results showed that canopy transpiration averaged 0.55 ± 0.34 mm d−1 and 0.66 ± 0.32 mm d−1 for U. pumila, and was 0.74 ± 0.26 mm d−1 and 0.77 ± 0.24 mm d−1 for C. korshinskii in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The sensitivity of canopy transpiration to vapor pressure deficit (VPD) decreased as soil water stress increased for both species, indicating that the transpiration process is significantly affected by soil drought. Additionally, canopy stomatal conductance averaged 1.03 ± 0.91 mm s−1 and 1.34 ± 1.22 mm s−1 for U. pumila, and was 1.46 ± 0.90 mm s−1 and 1.51 ± 1.06 mm s−1 for C. korshinskii in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The low values of the decoupling coefficient (Ω) showed that canopy and atmosphere were well coupled for both species. Stomatal sensitivity to VPD decreased with decreasing soil water content, indicating that both U. pumila and C. korshinskii maintained a water-saving strategy under the stressed water conditions. Our results enable better understanding of transpiration dynamics and water-use strategies of different forest functional types in the Bashang Plateau, which will provide important insights for planted forests management and ecosystem stability under future climate changes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice)
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18 pages, 5044 KiB  
Article
Water Uptake Pattern by Coniferous Forests in Two Habitats Linked to Precipitation Changes in Subtropical Monsoon Climate Region, China
by Jianbo Jia, Yu Chen, Jia Lu and Wende Yan
Forests 2022, 13(5), 708; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13050708 - 30 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1976
Abstract
Variations in precipitation patterns under climate changes influence water availability, which has important implications for plants’ water use and the sustainability of vegetation. However, the water uptake patterns of the main forest species under different temporal spatial conditions of water availability remain poorly [...] Read more.
Variations in precipitation patterns under climate changes influence water availability, which has important implications for plants’ water use and the sustainability of vegetation. However, the water uptake patterns of the main forest species under different temporal spatial conditions of water availability remain poorly understood, especially in areas of high temporal spatial heterogeneity, such as the subtropical monsoon climate region of China. We investigated the water uptake patterns and physiological factors of the most widespread and coniferous forest species, Cunninghamia lanceolata L. and Pinus massoniana L., in the early wet season with short drought (NP), high antecedent precipitation (HP), and low antecedent precipitation (LP), as well as in the early dry season (DP), in edaphic and rocky habitats. The results showed that the two species mainly absorbed soil water from shallow layers, even in the short drought period in the wet season and switched to deeper layers in the early dry season in both habitats. It was noted that the trees utilized deep layers water in edaphic habitats when the antecedent rainfall was high. The two species showed no significant differences in water uptake depth, but exhibited notably distinct leaf water potential behavior. C. lanceolata maintained less negative predawn and midday water potential, whereas P. massoniana showed higher diurnal water potential ranges. Moreover, the water potential of P. massoniana was negatively associated with the antecedent precipitation amount. These results indicate that for co-existing species in these communities, there is significant eco-physiological niche segregation but no eco-hydrological segregation. For tree species in two habitats, the water uptake depth was influenced by the available soil water but the physiological factors were unchanged, and were determined by the species’ genes. Furthermore, during the long drought in the growing season, we observed probable divergent responses of C. lanceolata and P. massoniana, such as growth restriction for the former and hydraulic failure for the latter. However, when the precipitation was heavy and long, these natural species were able to increase the ecohydrological linkages between the ecosystem and the deep-layer system in this edaphic habitat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice)
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16 pages, 22258 KiB  
Article
How Potential Evapotranspiration Regulates the Response of Canopy Transpiration to Soil Moisture and Leaf Area Index of the Boreal Larch Forest in China
by Zhipeng Xu, Xiuling Man, Tijiu Cai and Youxian Shang
Forests 2022, 13(4), 571; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13040571 - 4 Apr 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2391
Abstract
Transpiration is a critical component of the hydrological cycle in the terrestrial forest ecosystem. However, how potential evapotranspiration regulates the response of canopy transpiration to soil moisture and leaf area index of the boreal larch forest in China has rarely been evaluated. The [...] Read more.
Transpiration is a critical component of the hydrological cycle in the terrestrial forest ecosystem. However, how potential evapotranspiration regulates the response of canopy transpiration to soil moisture and leaf area index of the boreal larch forest in China has rarely been evaluated. The present study was conducted in the larch (Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr.) forest, which is a typical boreal forest in China. The canopy transpiration was measured using sap flow techniques from May to September in 2021 and simultaneously observing the meteorological variables, leaf area index (LAI) and soil moisture (SWC). The results showed that there were significant differences in canopy transpiration of Larix gmelinii among the months. The correlation and regression analysis indicated that canopy transpiration was mainly influenced by potential evapotranspiration (PET), while the effect of soil moisture on canopy transpiration was lowest compared with other environmental factors. Furthermore, our results revealed that the effect of PET on canopy transpiration was not regulated by soil moisture when soil moisture exceeded 0.2 cm3 cm−3. More importantly, under the condition of sufficient soil moisture, it was demonstrated that the response of canopy transpiration to leaf area index was limited when PET exceeded 9 mm/day. These results provide valuable implications for supporting forest management and water resource utilization in the boreal forest ecosystem under the context of global warming. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice)
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16 pages, 4525 KiB  
Article
Integration of the Physiology, Transcriptome and Proteome Reveals the Molecular Mechanism of Drought Tolerance in Cupressus gigantea
by Pei Lei, Zhi Liu, Jianxin Li, Guangze Jin, Liping Xu, Ximei Ji, Xiyang Zhao, Lei Tao and Fanjuan Meng
Forests 2022, 13(3), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13030401 - 1 Mar 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2519
Abstract
Drought stress can dramatically impair woody plant growth and restrict the geographical distribution of many tree species. To better understand the dynamics between the response and mechanism of Cupressus gigantea to drought and post-drought recovery, a comparative analysis was performed, relying on physiological [...] Read more.
Drought stress can dramatically impair woody plant growth and restrict the geographical distribution of many tree species. To better understand the dynamics between the response and mechanism of Cupressus gigantea to drought and post-drought recovery, a comparative analysis was performed, relying on physiological measurements, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) proteins. In this study, the analyses revealed that photosynthesis was seriously inhibited, while osmolyte contents, antioxidant enzyme activity and non-enzymatic antioxidant contents were all increased under drought stress in seedlings. Re-watering led to a recovery in most of the parameters analyzed, mainly the photosynthetic parameters and osmolyte contents. Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling suggested that most of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were specifically altered, and a few were consistently altered. Drought induced a common reduction in the level of DEGs and DEPs associated with photosynthesis. Notably, DEGs and DEPs involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, such as ascorbate oxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), showed an inverse pattern under desiccation. This study may improve our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of drought resistance in C. gigantea and paves the way for more detailed molecular analysis of the candidate genes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Ecohydrology: From Theory to Practice)
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