北京城区常见树种生长季树干液流的时滞特征

2008年4-9月,应用热消散技术测定了北京市常见树种银杏、七叶树、玉兰、刺槐、油松、雪松的树干液流,并将液流与总辐射和水汽压亏缺数据进行逐行错位分析,探讨不同树种树干液流与蒸腾驱动因子之间的时滞效应.结果表明：6个树种树干液流(J_s)的变化与总辐射(R_s)和水汽压亏缺(D)显著相关,且J_s均滞后于R_s,提前于D;J_s与R_s之间最大相关系数(0.74～0.93)通常比J_s与D之间最大相关系数(0.57～0.79)高,表明日尺度上J_s在很大程度上依赖于R_s的变化.除油松外,其他树种J_s与R_s之间时滞范围(10～70 min)比J_s与D之间时滞范围(47～130 min)短,其中刺槐、油松和雪松种间差异显著;城市树种J_s与蒸腾驱动因子之间的时滞主要受树形（胸径、树高、冠层投影面积、边材面积）以及夜间水分补充量的影响,而与树种无关.     

北京市绿化树种紫玉兰的蒸腾特征及其影响因素

加快的城市绿化,尤其是干旱和半干旱的温带和热带地区,对水的大量需求给未来水资源的合理利用提出了严峻挑战。了解紫玉兰蒸腾特征及环境和生物因子对蒸腾的调控有助于城市绿化树种的选择和养护。2008.5－2009.5于北京市中心教学植物园内利用热消散技术研究不同时间尺度上15年生紫玉兰（Magnolia liliflora）的耗水特征,环境因子同步监测。本研究分析了紫玉兰小时、日、月和季节尺度上的蒸腾特征。日尺度上,春夏季节紫玉兰树干液流速率呈双峰型曲线,蒸腾午休现象明显;秋季树干液流速率呈单峰型曲线,液流启动时间延后而结束时间提前;冬季树干液流速率日变化格局不明显,夜间液流速率高于白天液流速率。年内尺度上,按月份,从3月开始上升,5月达到峰值后略有下降,9月开始显著降低;按季节,春季>夏季>秋季>冬季;按物候期,从发芽到开花展叶阶段,整树耗水迅速增加,叶速生期达到最大值,休眠期整树耗水显著降低。值得注意的是：紫玉兰蒸腾午休现象明显;春季耗水型树种。一天之中总辐射和水汽压亏缺是影响紫玉兰整树耗水的主要因子;加上大气温度是日尺度和月尺度上影响紫玉兰耗水的关键因子;叶面积指数在开花展叶期是影响紫玉兰耗水的关键因子。由于城市中的适时灌溉和研究期间降水充足,土壤水分对紫玉兰的耗水几乎没有影响。     

环境因子对洞庭湖流域三种树木蒸腾的影响

蒸腾是植物重要的生理活动之一,受多种环境因子的影响。本文基于改进的Jarvis-Stewart模型研究洞庭湖流域3个树种(桂花树(Osmanthus fragrans)、樟树(Cinnamomum camphora)和枫香(Liquidambar formosana))的蒸腾对环境因子(太阳辐射、饱和水汽压差(VPD)和土壤水势)的响应,比较不同环境因子对3种树蒸腾的影响并讨论VPD对植物蒸腾的双重影响。结果表明:(1)桂花树和枫香的蒸腾对太阳辐射的反应比樟树迅速,樟树的蒸腾对VPD的敏感度明显高于桂花树和枫香,樟树和枫香对水势的响应比桂花树更敏感,说明植物蒸腾对环境因子的响应有树种之差。(2)从生长季的平均值来看,2013年影响植物蒸腾的主导因子是水分条件,2014和2015年是VPD,说明决定植物蒸腾的主要是不同年份间的水文气象条件差异,与树种无关。(3)VPD对植物蒸腾既有促进作用又有限制作用。2013年(夏季干旱)VPD对植物蒸腾的双重影响非常明显,随着VPD值增加,VPD对蒸腾的促进作用增强;增加到一定值,VPD对蒸腾的限制作用随之增大。2014和2015年(降水多),VPD值比较小,VPD对植物蒸腾主要是促进作用。     

中国漳江口红树植物秋茄茎流特征及其影响因子

利用Granier热消散式探针法对福建漳江口国家级红树林自然保护区内红树植物秋茄的树干茎流密度(SFD)进行1年(2010年10月至2011年10月)的连续监测.结果表明: 季节和树干径级对秋茄树干茎流密度均有显著影响.在夏季,胸径(DBH)为8～10 cm时秋茄树干最外层2 cm处的SFD达到最大,为38.21 g·m^-2·s^-1,这与其他红树物种以及湿地乔木物种的茎流密度相当.不同径级(小、中、大径级分别为2～4、4～8、8～10 cm)秋茄每日整树蒸腾量(即水分日利用量)也呈现明显的季节变化,从冬季到夏季的波动值分别为0.14～0.19、0.94～1.45、1.96～3.43 kg·d^-1.通过整合各个径级秋茄树的日蒸腾量推算得到秋茄林的日蒸腾量,再全年累加计算得到秋茄林年总蒸腾量为100.38 mm,不到当地年降水量的6%.主要环境因子对秋茄林蒸腾速率(E_s)均有极显著影响(P<0.001),其中,光合有效辐射(PAR)和饱和水汽压差(VPD)是E_s最主要的驱动因子,解释了E_s 60%～92%的季节变异,且夏季秋茄E_s 对PAR和VPD的依赖性大于冬季.秋茄E_s与环境因子之间存在明显的时滞现象,需要在解释秋茄林E_s季节变异时加以考虑.     

华南丘陵植被恢复先锋树种木荷与马占相思的水分利用

利用Granier测定系统,对华南丘陵植被恢复先锋树种马占相思和木荷的树干液流分别进行4 a(2004—2007年)和5 a(2008—2012年)监测,比较不同龄级两树种的蒸腾量及其季节变化.结果表明: 马占相思和木荷的年蒸腾量均随树龄增加而增大,木荷蒸腾量的增加速度更快.木荷平均整树年蒸腾量为7014.76 kg,比马占相思(3704.97 kg)高;马占相思蒸腾量的季节变异(511.46～1802.17 kg)比木荷(1346.48～2349.35 kg)大.蒸腾速率(E_h)与光合有效辐射(PAR)、水汽压亏缺(VPD)的标准回归系数随土壤湿度的增加而增大,表明土壤水分的增加提高了植物对环境响应的敏感度.偏相关分析表明,土壤湿度的季节变异是导致两树种蒸腾量季节变化的最主要因素.木荷和马占相思的最适土壤湿度分别为0.22～0.40和0.29～0.30(V/V),表明与外来树种马占相思相比,乡土树种木荷对水分胁迫有更好的适应及调节能力.     

北方土石山区典型树种耗水特征及环境影响因子

研究北方土石山区植物耗水特征和环境影响因子对于构建稳定的植被生态系统具有重要意义,能够为当地植被恢复策略提供科学指导。在北京林业大学西山试验林场于2016年7月至10月利用热扩散探针的方法,结合同步观测的土壤含水率和气象因子,对刺槐和油松人工混交林进行蒸腾观测和分析。结果表明:(1)尽管刺槐和油松蒸腾的日变化规律相近,但二者蒸腾的季节变化规律不同;(2)两个树种蒸腾与VPD(饱和水汽压差)成顺时针时滞。刺槐蒸腾与太阳辐射成顺时针时滞,油松则成逆时针时滞;(3)二者与大气环境的耦合程度均较高(Ω0.1),其气孔活动能够有效地控制蒸腾;(4)影响植物蒸腾的主要环境因子为太阳辐射(P0.01)、VPD(P0.01)和风速(P0.01),其中由VPD引起的蒸腾量高于太阳辐射;(5)浅层土壤(0—50cm)的水分条件可能并不是影响植物蒸腾的重要因素。研究表明,在实际管理中可以采取调控气孔导度的手段来减少刺槐和油松人工林的耗水量,来降低水分这一人工林成活的限制因子,从而提高造林成活率。     

岩溶区青冈栎整树蒸腾的季节变化

应用Granier热消散树干液流技术,在裸露岩溶区坡地上对青冈栎样树的树干液流和整树蒸腾过程变化及其驱动因子进行了研究.结果表明:青冈栎树干液流密度与树木胸径大小的关系是随机的,日间液流密度峰值出现在13:30—14:30;日液流密度峰值夏季最大,为56.00 g H₂O·m^-2·s^-1,春季最小,在35.86 g H₂O·m^-2·s^-1.岩溶区单树日蒸腾量随着天气变化起伏较大,单树日蒸腾量与水汽压亏缺和太阳辐射呈显著的幂函数相关关系(R=0.97,P<0.01).平均整树日蒸腾量变化格型为夏季高冬春低,秋季(旱季)随土壤水分的减少由高到低变化.与其他地区的树种相比,即使受旱季的干燥少土双重胁迫,裸露岩溶区坡地上的青冈栎整树日蒸腾量仍然较高,推断在岩溶区旱季青冈栎的水分来源可能很大程度上依赖于富水的表层岩溶带.     

降雨和非降雨日兴安落叶松天然林蒸腾及蒸散发特征

综合利用树干液流法和涡动相关技术,对大兴安岭北部寒温带兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii)天然林的林木蒸腾(T)和生态系统蒸散发(ET)进行连续监测;采用边材面积对单木蒸腾耗水进行尺度扩展,分析降雨和非降雨日林木总蒸腾(T_(tot))及其蒸腾组分(优势木蒸腾T_d、中等木蒸腾T_i和劣势木蒸腾T_s)与生态系统ET的变化特征,探讨T_(tot)与ET对水汽压亏缺(VPD)和净辐射(R_n)变化的响应。结果表明:降雨和非降雨日各分化等级林木液流速率的日变化均呈典型单峰格局,且降雨日的T_(tot)(9.7mm)低于非降雨日(31.4 mm),同时T_d在降雨和非降雨日均明显高于T_i和T_s。降雨日的ET(24.7 mm)同样低于非降雨日(50.6mm),而潜热通量与同期R_n之比(31%)则高于非降雨日(25.1%),表明非降雨日的环境条件较有利于植物-大气界面的水汽通量交换。降雨日T_(tot)/ET、T_d/ET、T_i/ET和T_s/ET(分别为38.1%、27.2%、8.5%和2.4%)均低于非降雨日(分别为65.0%、45.5%、15.3%和4.2%),说明降雨日的ET以自由水蒸发为主,而非降雨日时则以T_d占优;同时,仅以优势木蒸腾耗水作为平均水平进行尺度上推易高估林分的蒸腾能力。总体上,T_(tot)与VPD、R_n的相关性均较ET的高,即T_(tot)对环境因子的响应略敏感;同时R_n与T_(tot)、ET的相关性均较VPD高,说明R_n是驱动生态系统水汽通量的首要条件。     

晋西黄土区苹果树边材液流速率对环境驱动的响应

为明确环境因子对树木蒸腾过程的驱动机制,以晋西黄土残塬沟壑区的苹果树(红富士)为对象,利用热扩散式液流技术监测生长季苹果树树干液流的动态变化,并同步监测了气象和土壤水分等环境要素的季节动态.结果表明: 在众多环境因子中,太阳净辐射(R_n)、大气水分亏缺(VPD)与液流速率(J_s)间的相关性最强.在小时或日尺度,环境因子主成分分析中前3个主成分的累积方差贡献率均在86%以上.其中,第一主成分主要包含VPD、R_n等因子,方差贡献率达52%(小时尺度)和63%(日尺度)以上,可归为蒸发需求因子(EDI),是影响该地区果树树干液流的关键综合环境要素集;第二主成分主要包括土壤含水率(SWC)等因子,归为土壤水热供给因子;第三主成分主要包括风速等因子,归为大气水热散失动力因子.在小时或日尺度上,J_s对两种环境因子综合变量(EDI或潜在蒸发散ET₀)的响应都呈显著的指数增长关系,在小时尺度上,基于EDI模拟苹果J_s的指数模型精度更高(R²=0.72),在日尺度上,基于ET₀模拟苹果J_s的指数模型模拟精度更高(R²=0.88).研究结果对于明确苹果树水分传输对环境驱动的响应规律,根据气象要素估算苹果树蒸腾耗水量,并指导果园水分管理均具有重要意义.     

鼎湖山针阔叶混交林4种优势树种树干液流特征

运用Granier热消散式探针法,对鼎湖山自然保护区针阔叶混交林4种优势树种(马尾松、木荷、锥栗和广东润楠)的树干液流密度进行了长期连续观测,并同步监测林分的环境因子(光合有效辐射(PAR)、空气温度(T)、空气湿度(RH)、土壤含水量)。结果表明:(1)4种优势树种的边材面积(As)与胸径(DBH)均存在显著相关关系(P0.05);(2)各优势树种树干液流均呈现"昼高夜低"单峰曲线,且液流速率存在明显的季节性差异;(3)无论湿季还是干季,光合有效辐射(PAR)和水汽压亏缺(VPD)均为控制蒸腾的主要驱动因子;(4)4种优势树种湿季平均日蒸腾量高于干季,马尾松、木荷、锥栗、广东润楠湿季平均日蒸腾量分别为29.52、39.29、30.40、9.41 kg H2O/d,干季分别为20.91、24.84、24.26、8.43 kg H2O/d,干季和湿季的平均日蒸腾量(kg H2O/d)大小均为木荷锥栗马尾松广东润楠,这种种间差异是由边材面积大小和树种本身的生物学特性共同决定的。     

疏伐对黄土丘陵区刺槐林蒸腾的影响

黄土高原地区植被建设已达到土壤水分承载力的阈值,需要对现有林分进行结构优化并提升其生态功能。不合理的林分密度是导致黄土丘陵区刺槐林土壤干化、生长衰退的主要原因之一。疏伐可以优化林分结构,并能够通过控制蒸腾耗水来调控土壤水分,是促进刺槐林可持续生长的有效手段。疏伐对黄土丘陵区刺槐林蒸腾有何影响,目前并不清楚。研究基于树干液流法估算了4个不同疏伐强度（样地1：52%、样地2：48%、样地3：35%、样地4：未疏伐）下刺槐单株尺度的液流速率与林分尺度的日平均蒸腾量,并分析了不同时间尺度下液流速率与环境因子的关系,以阐明疏伐对黄土丘陵区刺槐林蒸腾的影响。结果表明：（1） 单株尺度刺槐蒸腾速率（即液流速率）随疏伐强度减小（林分密度增大）呈现下降趋势（样地1：0.53 kg cm^-2 d^-1、样地2：0.41 kg cm^-2 d^-1、样地3：0.31 kg cm^-2 d^-1、样地4：0.33 kg cm^-2 d^-1）;（2） 观测期林分尺度日平均蒸腾量随疏伐强度减小呈现上升趋势（样地1：0.90 mm/d、样地2：1.18 mm/d、样地3：1.04 mm/d、样地4：1.44 mm/d）;（3） 在半小时尺度与日尺度上,各样地液流速率与环境因子的关系没有显著差异,半小时尺度单株液流速率均与太阳辐射相关性最高（相关系数0.883-0.908）,液流速率日变化过程与环境因子日变化过程存在时滞现象;日尺度单株液流速率与饱和水汽压亏缺相关性最高（相关系数0.843-0.913）,样地间日尺度单株液流速率的差异性随着饱和水汽压亏缺增大而增大。研究结果初步反映了疏伐导致的林分密度变化对刺槐蒸腾的影响,将为黄土丘陵区刺槐林的结构改造、功能提升和土壤水分调控提供理论支持。     

基于树干液流及涡动相关技术的葡萄冠层蒸腾及蒸散发特征研究

针对西北干旱区绿洲经济作物葡萄树冠层蒸腾及蒸散发特征的相关问题,在甘肃省敦煌市南湖绿洲开展无核白葡萄树液流速率及蒸散发观测试验,采用基于热平衡原理的包裹式茎流计,详细分析了典型生长季7—9月份葡萄树蒸腾耗水规律,使用"单位叶面积上的平均液流速率SF×叶面积指数LAI"的方法,实现了从单株到林分冠层蒸腾的尺度扩展,并通过与涡动相关技术所测蒸散发数据对比,详细研究了葡萄地冠层蒸腾及蒸散发规律。结果表明:典型生长季中葡萄树液流速率日变化为单峰型曲线,日均耗水量从2.76 kg到10 kg不等,胸径越大的葡萄树日均耗水量越大;冠层蒸腾及蒸散发日变化曲线亦为单峰型,白天8:00—12:00与17:00—20:00期间,葡萄冠层蒸腾与蒸散发曲线均比较吻合,该时间段葡萄地蒸散发绝大部分来源于葡萄冠层蒸腾,而12:00—17:00之间由于午后太阳辐射强烈土壤蒸发量增加,葡萄蒸散发大于冠层蒸腾;典型生长季3个月中,葡萄冠层蒸腾量的变化范围在1.88—8.12 mm/d之间,日均冠层蒸腾量为6.12 mm/d,蒸散发在1.74 mm/d至10.78 mm/d之间,日均蒸散发量为7.13 mm/d;日均土壤蒸发量约为1.01 mm/d,只占总蒸散发量的14.2%,日均冠层蒸腾占日均蒸散发的比重达到85.8%,说明该生长阶段冠层蒸散发以作物蒸腾为主。     

Urban Tree Species Show the Same Hydraulic Response to Vapor Pressure Deficit across Varying Tree Size and Environmental Conditions

Background

The functional convergence of tree transpiration has rarely been tested for tree species growing under urban conditions even though it is of significance to elucidate the relationship between functional convergence and species differences of urban trees for establishing sustainable urban forests in the context of forest water relations.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We measured sap flux of four urban tree species including Cedrus deodara, Zelkova schneideriana, Euonymus bungeanus and Metasequoia glyptostroboides in an urban park by using thermal dissipation probes (TDP). The concurrent microclimate conditions and soil moisture content were also measured. Our objectives were to examine 1) the influence of tree species and size on transpiration, and 2) the hydraulic control of urban trees under different environmental conditions over the transpiration in response to VPD as represented by canopy conductance. The results showed that the functional convergence between tree diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree canopy transpiration amount (E _c) was not reliable to predict stand transpiration and there were species differences within same DBH class. Species differed in transpiration patterns to seasonal weather progression and soil water stress as a result of varied sensitivity to water availability. Species differences were also found in their potential maximum transpiration rate and reaction to light. However, a same theoretical hydraulic relationship between G _c at VPD = 1 kPa (G _cref) and the G _c sensitivity to VPD (−dG _c/dlnVPD) across studied species as well as under contrasting soil water and R _s conditions in the urban area.

Conclusions/Significance

We concluded that urban trees show the same hydraulic regulation over response to VPD across varying tree size and environmental conditions and thus tree transpiration could be predicted with appropriate assessment of G _cref.     

冬季郑州市12个常绿树种的光合特性及滞尘能力

为筛选出北方城市冬季生态效益突出的常绿树种,以缓解大气CO_2和粉尘颗粒物污染,并为这些树种的园林应用提供科学支持,该文选取郑州市园林绿化应用广泛的12个常绿树种,利用LI-6400便携式光合测定仪和洗脱-质量差值法,并对其光合特性及滞尘能力进行测定,计算出其光合参数[叶片的净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO_2浓度(Ci)]和滞尘参数(单位叶面积滞尘量、单叶滞尘量、单位面积树冠滞尘量),并分别进行聚类分析。结果表明:(1)大叶女贞、黄杨、海桐、枇杷叶片Pn、Tr、Gs值均极显著高于其他树种(P0.01);香樟、银木、黄杨、枇杷叶片Ci值极显著高于其他树种(P0.01)。大叶女贞、海桐、石楠叶肉细胞保持着较高的光合活性,而香樟、银木叶片光合活性较弱,低温抑制明显。(2)洗淋后7 d和14 d,枇杷、广玉兰、桂花各滞尘参数均极显著高于其他树种(P0.01)。洗淋后14 d,枇杷、广玉兰、桂花单位面积树冠的滞尘量累积在6.65 g·m~(-2)·crown~(-1)以上,滞尘能力强;石楠、银木、大叶女贞、法国冬青、黄杨单位面积树冠的滞尘量在3.99 g·m~(-2)·crown~(-1)以上。(3)聚类分析结果表明,黄杨、大叶女贞和海桐光合特性优势明显,其次为法国冬青、广玉兰、枇杷、石楠和乐东拟单性木兰;广玉兰、桂花、枇杷滞尘能力最强,其次为大叶女贞、法国冬青、石楠和银木。综上所述,大叶女贞、广玉兰、枇杷、法国冬青、黄杨、石楠对改善北方城市冬季空气质量及滞尘均有重要贡献,生态调节能力强,可作为园林绿化优先选用树种。     

Transpiration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyclobalanopsis glauca</Emphasis> (syn. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus glauca</Emphasis>) stand measured by sap-flow method in a karst rocky terrain during dry season

Seasonal drought may have a high impact on the karst ecosystem. The transpiration from Cyclobalanopsis glauca (syn. Quercus glauca) stand on a rocky hilly slope in South China was measured during the dry period of 2006 by using the Granier’s sap-flow method. During the experimental period, maximum sap flux density (J _s) ranged from 20 to 40 g H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹ according to diameter of breast height (DBH) of individual trees. On sunny days, daily transpiration varied between 3.4 and 1.8 mm day⁻¹. Transpiration of C. glauca was closely correlated to the radiation, air temperature, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Soil moisture was a very important factor influencing transpiration. The very low soil water content might result in low stand transpiration even when VPD is high, but high soil water content might also result in low transpiration if it was low VPD. However, VPD rather than soil moisture, affected largely the stand transpiration under high soil water content. The amount of transpiration was much more than that of the total soil moisture loss during the continuous sunny days, indicating that the dry shallow soils were probably not the only source for root-uptake water. C. glauca grows deep roots through the rock fissures of epikarst, indicating that epikarst might be another main source for sustaining transpiration in response to dry demand in autumn. Therefore, a large amount of deep roots of karst species would be a very important hydraulic connecting from the epikarst to above ground by transpiration, which would promote the biogeochemical process in a karst system.     

宁夏河东沙区刺槐和丝绵木水分利用策略

刺槐和丝绵木混交林是宁夏河东沙区防护林建设的主要模式,了解刺槐和丝绵木的水分利用策略,能为区域植被恢复和防护林林分结构调整提供科学依据。以宁夏河东沙区刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)和丝绵木(Euonymus bungeanus)混交林为研究对象,通过监测微气象、树干液流和土壤质量含水量,结合大气降水、土壤水、植物木质部水同位素组成,采用Granier及其校正公式,运用贝叶斯混合模型(MixSIAR)和相似性比例指数(PS)研究2个树种的蒸腾耗水、水分来源和水分利用关系。结果表明：刺槐和丝绵木的蒸腾耗水量在生长季中期较高,前期和后期较小,刺槐的蒸腾耗水量是丝绵木的1.55倍;影响刺槐蒸腾耗水的主要环境因子为饱和水汽压差、太阳辐射、0—40 cm土壤质量含水量和40—120 cm土壤质量含水量;影响丝绵木蒸腾耗水的主要环境因子为饱和水汽压差、太阳辐射、平均气温、0—40 cm土壤质量含水量和40—120 cm土壤质量含水量;蒸腾耗水较高时,刺槐主要吸收利用中层土壤水,丝绵木主要吸收利用浅层土壤水,蒸腾耗水较低时,刺槐主要吸收利用浅层土壤水,丝绵木主要吸收利用中层土壤水;在...     

Late-stage canopy tree species with extremely low δ13C and high stomatal sensitivity to seasonal soil drought in the tropical rainforest of French Guiana

We assessed the daily time‐courses of CO₂ assimilation rate (A), leaf transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance for water vapour (g_s), leaf water potential ( Ψ _w) and tree transpiration in a wet and a dry season for three late‐stage canopy rainforest tree species in French Guiana differing in leaf carbon isotope composition ( δ ¹³C). The lower sunlit leaf δ ¹³C values found in Virola surinamensis ( ? 29·9‰) and in Diplotropis purpurea ( ? 30·9‰), two light‐demanding species, as compared to Eperua falcata ( ? 28·6‰), a shade‐semi‐tolerant species, were clearly associated with higher maximum g_s values of sunlit leaves in the two former species. These two species were also characterized by a high sensitivity of g_s, sap flow density (Ju) and canopy conductance (g_c) to seasonal soil drought, allowing maintenance of high midday Ψ _w values in the dry season. The data for Diplotropis provided an original picture of increasing midday Ψ _w with increasing soil drought. In Virola, stomata were extremely sensitive to seasonal soil drought, leading to a dramatic decrease in leaf and tree transpiration in the dry season, whereas midday Ψ _w remained close to ? 0·3 MPa. The mechanisms underlying such an extremely high sensitivity of stomata to soil drought remain unknown. In Eperua, g_s of sunlit leaves was non‐responsive to seasonal drought, whereas Ju and g_c were lower in the dry season. This suggests a higher stomatal sensitivity to seasonal drought in shaded leaves than in sunlit ones in this species.     

Ecophysiological responses of Japanese forest tree species to ozone, simulated acid rain and soil acidification

In this review, I summarized the results obtained from experimental studies on the ecophysiological responses of Japanese forest tree species to O₃, simulated acid rain and soil acidification. Based on the studies conducted in Japan, exposure to ambient levels of O₃ below 100 nl·l⁻¹ (ppb) for several months is sufficient to inhibit dry matter production and net photosynthesis of sensitive Japanese forest tree species such as Siebold's beech and Japanese zelkova. On the other hand, exposure to simulated acid rain with a pH of 4.0 or above for several months cannot induce any adverse effects on dry matter production and physiological functions of Japanese forest tree species. However, when the pH of simulated rain or fog is lowered below 4.0, negative effects appear on dry matter production and physiological functions such as transpiration in several sensitive Japanese forest tree species such as Japanese fir and Nikko fir. Based on limited information, it may be concluded that (1) Al dissolved into soil solution is the most important limiting factor for dry matter production, physiological functions and nutrient status of Japanese forest tree species grown in acidic soil, (2) the (Ca+Mg+K)/Al molar ratio in soil solution is a useful indicator to evaluate and predict the effects of soil acidification due to acid deposition on whole-plant dry matter production of Japanese forest tree species at the present time and in the future, and (3) Japanese coniferous tree species such as Japanese cedar and red pine are relatively sensitive to a reduction in (Ca+Mg+K)/Al molar ratio in soil solution compared with European forest tree species such as Norway spruce.     

Relationships between individual‐tree mortality and water‐balance variables indicate positive trends in water stress‐induced tree mortality across North America

Accounting for water stress‐induced tree mortality in forest productivity models remains a challenge due to uncertainty in stress tolerance of tree populations. In this study, logistic regression models were developed to assess species‐specific relationships between probability of mortality (P_m) and drought, drawing on 8.1 million observations of change in vital status (m) of individual trees across North America. Drought was defined by standardized (relative) values of soil water content (W_s,z) and reference evapotranspiration (ET_r,z) at each field plot. The models additionally tested for interactions between the water‐balance variables, aridity class of the site (AC), and estimated tree height (h). Considering drought improved model performance in 95 (80) per cent of the 64 tested species during calibration (cross‐validation). On average, sensitivity to relative drought increased with site AC (i.e. aridity). Interaction between water‐balance variables and estimated tree height indicated that drought sensitivity commonly decreased during early height development and increased during late height development, which may reflect expansion of the root system and decreasing whole‐plant, leaf‐specific hydraulic conductance, respectively. Across North America, predictions suggested that changes in the water balance caused mortality to increase from 1.1% yr^?1 in 1951 to 2.0% yr^?1 in 2014 (a net change of 0.9 ± 0.3% yr^?1). Interannual variation in mortality also increased, driven by increasingly severe droughts in 1988, 1998, 2006, 2007 and 2012. With strong confidence, this study indicates that water stress is a common cause of tree mortality. With weak‐to‐moderate confidence, this study strengthens previous claims attributing positive trends in mortality to increasing levels of water stress. This ‘learn‐as‐we‐go’ approach – defined by sampling rare drought events as they continue to intensify – will help to constrain the hydraulic limits of dominant tree species and the viability of boreal and temperate forest biomes under continued climate change.