Measuring and simulating crown respiration of Scots pine with increased temperature and carbon dioxide enrichment

Acclimation to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and temperature of respiration by the foliage in the crown of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) trees is measured and modelled. Starting in 1996, individual 20-year-old trees were enclosed in chambers and exposed to either normal ambient conditions (CON), elevated CO2 concentration (EC), elevated temperature (ET) or a combination of EC and ET (ECT). Respiration of individual leaves within the crown was measured in 2000. To extrapolate the response of respiration of individual leaves to the whole crown, a multi-layer model was developed and used to predict daily and annual crown respiration, in which the crown structure and corresponding microclimate data were used as input. Respiration measurements showed that EC led to higher Q10 values (4.6%) relative to CON, but lower basal respiration rates at 20 degrees C [R1.d(20)] (-7.1%) during the main growth season (days 120-240), whereas ET and ECT both reduced Q10 (-12.0 and -9.8%, respectively) throughout the year but increased R1.d(20) (27.2 and 21.6%, respectively) during the period of no-growth, and slightly reduced R1.d(20) (-1.7 and -2.8%, respectively) during the main growth season. Model computations showed that annual crown respiration increased: (1) by 16% in EC, with 92% of this increase attributable to the increase in foliage area; (2) by 35% in ET, with 66% related to the increase in foliage area and 17% to the rise in ambient temperature; and (3) by 27% in the case of ECT, with 43% attributable to the increase in foliage area and 29% to the rise in ambient temperature. Changed respiration parameters for individual leaves, induced by treatments, made only a small contribution to the annual crown respiration compared with the increased foliage area. The effects of changes in crown architecture and nitrogen distribution, caused by treatments, on the daily and annual course of crown respiration are discussed.     

Light and water-use efficiencies of pine shoots exposed to elevated carbon dioxide and temperature

An automatic gas exchange system was used to continuously measure water and carbon fluxes of attached shoots of Scots pine trees (Pinus sylvestris L.) grown in environment-controlled chambers for a 3-year period (1998-2000) and exposed to either normal ambient conditions (CON), elevated CO2 (+350 micro mol mol-1; EC), elevated temperature (+2-6 degrees C; ET) or a combination of EC and ET (ECT). EC treatment enhanced the mean daily total carbon flux per unit projected needle area (Fc.d) by 17-21 %, depending on the year. This corresponds to a 16-24 % increase in light-use efficiency (LUE) based on incident photosynthetically active radiation. The EC treatment reduced the mean daily total water flux (Fw.d) by 1-12 %, corresponding to a 13-35 % increase in water-use efficiency (WUE). The ET treatment increased Fc.d by 10-18 %, resulting in an 8-19 % increase in LUE, and Fw.d by 48-74 %, resulting in a reduction of WUE by 19-34 %. There was no interaction between CO2 and temperature elevation in connection with either carbon or water fluxes, as the carbon flux responded similarly in both ECT and EC, while the water flux in the ECT treatment was similar to that in ET. Regressions indicated that the increase in maximum LUE was greater with increasing air temperature, whereas changes in WUE were related only to high vapour pressure deficit. Furthermore, changes in LUE and WUE caused by ECT treatment displayed strong diurnal and seasonal variation.     

Seasonal variation in respiration of 1-year-old shoots of scots pine exposed to elevated carbon dioxide and temperature for 4 years

Sixteen 20-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees growing in the field were enclosed for 4 years in environment-controlled chambers that maintained: (1) ambient conditions (CON); (2) elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (ambient + 350 micro mol mol-1; EC); (3) elevated temperature (ambient +2-6 degrees C; ET); or (4) elevated CO2 and elevated temperature (ECT). The dark respiration rates of 1-year-old shoots, from which needles had been partly removed, were measured over the growing season in the fourth year. In all treatments, the temperature coefficient of respiration, Q10, changed with season, being smaller during the growing season than at other times. Respiration rate varied diurnally and seasonally with temperature, being highest around mid-summer and declining gradually thereafter. When measurements were made at the temperature of the chamber, respiration rates were reduced by the EC treatment relative to CON, but were increased by ET and ECT treatments. However, respiration rates at a reference temperature of 15 degrees C were reduced by ET and ECT treatments, reflecting a decreased capacity for respiration at warmer temperatures (negative acclimation). The interaction between season and treatment was not significant. Growth respiration did not differ between treatments, but maintenance respiration did, and the differences in mean daily respiration rate between the treatments were attributable to the maintenance component. We conclude that maintenance respiration should be considered when modelling respiratory responses to elevated CO2 and elevated temperature, and that increased atmospheric temperature is more important than increasing CO2 when assessing the carbon budget of pine forests under conditions of climate change.     

复合群落土壤微生物和酶活性对大气CO2浓度和温度升高的响应

应用自控、封闭、独立的生长室系统,研究川西亚高山林线复合群落根际、非根际土壤微生物数量以及根际、非根际土壤酶活性对大气CO2浓度升高(环境CO2浓度+350(±25)μmol.mol-1,EC)和温度升高(环境温度+2.0(±0.5)℃,ET)及其两者同时升高(ECT)的响应。结果表明:(1)与对照(CK)相比,EC、ET和ECT处理能够增加土壤根际微生物数量,但不同微生物种类对EC、ET和ECT的反应有所差异。(2)不同种类的根际土壤酶对EC、ET和ECT的响应不同。(3)与CK相比,EC、ET和ECT的非根际土壤微生物数量以及非根际土壤酶活性均无显著提高。(4)EC、ET和ECT处理对复合群落土壤微生物总数的根际效应明显;除ET处理的转化酶为负根际效应,其余处理的过氧化氢酶,脲酶及转化酶均表现为正根际效应。     

Responses of sap flux and stomatal conductance of Pinus taeda L. trees to stepwise reductions in leaf area

Herbivory or artificial foliage removal has been shown to affect gas exchange and canopy water relations. In this study, canopy architecture and water relations in response to progressive defoliation were examined in a stand of 8-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees, a shade-intolerant, pioneer species common in the south-eastern USA. Sap flux was measured with constant heat sap flow gauges in order to estimate canopy stomatal conductance (Gs) while foliage in the 6 m high stand was harvested in 1 m increments from the bottom up. Leaf-level stomatal conductance and water potential data were also collected. Profiles of silhouette area ratio and specific leaf area showed no trends with crown height, reflecting an open canopy (leaf area index = 1.55). Therefore, short-term changes in Gs with foliage removal were attributed to hydraulic effects rather than influences of changes in mean microclimate conditions on Gs of remaining foliage. A large increase in Gs was observed during the 6 h pruning period which fully compensated for the reductions in foliage area down to 45%. Canopy stomatal conductance and whole plant liquid phase conductance as calculated from sap flux were both influenced by the rate of growth as indicated by the annual basal area increment.     

油松、栓皮栎树干液流速率比较

应用TDP(ThermalDissipationProbe)技术对油松和栓皮栎树干液流进行了初步研究,经过野外近1a的实地定位观测,研究结果显示:栓皮栎月平均树干液流速率在整个生长期都较油松的月平均树干液流速率要高。前者大约是后者的5~10倍。栓皮栎在土壤干旱时期能够在白天产生明显的树干液流。在土壤干旱时期油松白天不产生树干液流而在晚上产生明显树干液流。在土壤相对湿润时期,油松和栓皮栎树干液流速率的波形与太阳总辐射的波形变化一致,但不同的是油松的树干液流速率波形呈明显的单峰状,而栓皮栎树干液流速率波形呈明显的多峰状。在土壤相对湿润时期太阳总辐射很低时能对油松树干液流速率产生明显的降低作用,而对栓皮栎树干液流则没有明显影响。在土壤干旱时期,油松和栓皮栎树干液流速率的峰值分别大约为0.0001cm/s和0.0006cm/s左右;在土壤水分充足时期,油松和栓皮栎树干液流速率的峰值分别大约相等约为0.0015cm/s左右,分别是油松和栓皮栎在干旱日期的液流速率峰值的10倍和2.5倍。     

Water relations of ponderosa pines in Patagonia Argentina: implications for local water resources and individual growth

Replacement of grasslands by forests may result in increased water consumption, and the magnitude of this will depend on stand density. To test this hypotheses and evaluate the impact of pine plantations on hydric resources in Patagonia Argentina, we measured over two seasons (1999–2000 and 2000–2001) and at two densities of ponderosa pine plantations (350 and 500 trees ha^?1) the following variables: soil water content, leaf water potential (ψ), individual tree growth, individual sap flow, and response of sap flow density (u) to vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Stand transpiration (T) and whole-plant liquid-phase hydraulic conductance (L) were also estimated. Pre-dawn ψ varied from about –0.5 to –1.0 MPa. No differences were found in midday maximum u (1100–1800 hours) on clear days between the 2 measurement years, throughout each season, or between different densities of plantation. Sapflow density was also not correlated with soil water storage up to 1.4 m soil depth. Sapflow increased until VPD of about 2.3 kPa, and decreased at VPD >4 kPa, describing a hysteresis in the afternoon. Values of L in Patagonian trees were similar to those recalculated from published data for pines of the same height in the USA. Average stand transpiration increased with increased density (2.07 and 3.08 mm day^-1 for 350 and 500 pines ha^-1, respectively) and size of the trees. We conclude that ponderosa pines in Patagonia Argentina use more water, in a magnitude depending on the density of the trees, than native grasslands. Accordingly, ponderosa pines use deep water to maintain high water potential and transpiration rates even during the dry season.     

岷江冷杉根际土壤微生物对大气CO2浓度和温度升高的响应

应用自控、封闭、独立的生长室系统,研究了川西亚高山岷江冷杉根际土壤微生物数量对大气CO₂浓度升高 (环境CO₂浓度+350(±25)μmol·mol^-1,EC)和温度升高(环境温度+2.2(±0.5)℃,ET)及其CO₂浓度和温度同时升高 (ECT)的响应.结果表明,1)同对照(CK)相比,在6月、8月和10月,EC处理的根际细菌数量分别增加了35%、164%和312%,ET处理增加了30%、115%和209%,而EC和ET处理对根际放线菌和根际真菌数量影响不显著;ECT处理的根际放线菌数量分别增加了49%、50%和96%,根际真菌数量增加了151%、57%和48%,而ECT对根际细菌数量影响不显著.2)3种处理对非根际土壤微生物数量影响均不显著.3)在EC、ET和ECT处理下,微生物总数的根际效应明显,其R/S值分别为1.93、1.37和1.46(CK的R/S值为0.81).     

Water savings in mature deciduous forest trees under elevated CO2

Stomatal conductance of plants exposed to elevated CO₂ is often reduced. Whether this leads to water savings in tall forest‐trees under future CO₂ concentrations is largely unknown but could have significant implications for climate and hydrology. We used three different sets of measurements (sap flow, soil moisture and canopy temperature) to quantify potential water savings under elevated CO₂ in a ca. 35 m tall, ca. 100 years old mixed deciduous forest. Part of the forest canopy was exposed to 540 ppm CO₂ during daylight hours using free air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) and the Swiss Canopy Crane (SCC). Across species and a wide range of weather conditions, sap flow was reduced by 14% in trees subjected to elevated CO₂, yielding ca. 10% reduction in evapotranspiration. This signal is likely to diminish as atmospheric feedback through reduced moistening of the air comes into play at landscape scale. Vapour pressure deficit (VPD)‐sap flow response curves show that the CO₂ effect is greatest at low VPD, and that sap flow saturation tends to occur at lower VPD in CO₂‐treated trees. Matching stomatal response data, the CO₂ effect was largely produced by Carpinus and Fagus, with Quercus contributing little. In line with these findings, soil moisture at 10 cm depth decreased at a slower rate under high‐CO₂ trees than under control trees during rainless periods, with a reversal of this trend during prolonged drought when CO₂‐treated trees take advantage from initial water savings. High‐resolution thermal images taken at different heights above the forest canopy did detect reduced water loss through altered energy balance only at <5 m distance (0.44 K leaf warming of CO₂‐treated Fagus trees). Short discontinuations of CO₂ supply during morning hours had no measurable canopy temperature effects, most likely because the stomatal effects were small compared with the aerodynamic constraints in these dense, broad‐leaved canopies. Hence, on a seasonal basis, these data suggest a <10% reduction in water consumption in this type of forest when the atmosphere reaches 540% ppm CO₂.     

液流径向变化对尾巨桉单株日蒸腾量估算的影响

采用Granier热扩散方法(TDP)测定了尾巨桉2个径向深度(0～2和2～4 cm)的液流速率,探讨液流径向变化对树木蒸腾估算产生的影响、不同个体大小的估算误差以及估算误差与光合有效辐射(PAR)和水汽压亏缺(VPD)的关系.结果表明: 尾巨桉的日蒸腾量在单点径向深度0～2 cm条件下估算值最大,两点综合估算值次之,单点径向深度2～4 cm最小,单点径向0～2 cm和径向2～4 cm所得的日蒸腾量分别较两点综合估算值高估了32.9%和低估了58.7%;用单点径向0～2 cm估算蒸腾量时所产生的误差随胸径的递减而减少,胸径为17.7、12.9和9.8 cm的树木产生的估算误差分别为51.7%、33.0%、18.0%,而单点径向2～4 cm所产生的估算误差则没有明显的径级差异;PAR和VPD都与单点径向0～2 cm估算误差有较好的正相关性,相比较VPD而言,PAR与单点径向0～2 cm估算误差的相关性更好.相比传统的仅用单一深度液流速率估算单株蒸腾耗水量的方法,两点估算方法一定程度上提高了日蒸腾量计算的精度,为尾巨桉人工林森林耗水量估算提供了可靠依据.     

黄土丘陵区辽东栎和刺槐树干液流时滞效应与蒸腾特征的关联性

运用Granier热扩散探针法,于2016年7-9月对半干旱黄土丘陵区天然次生林树种辽东栎和人工林树种刺槐的树干液流进行连续测定,并同步监测气象因子和土壤含水量,用错位相关法分析液流通量密度与空气水汽压亏缺日变化的时滞长度,研究2个树种不同径级个体在不同土壤水分条件下液流通量密度与蒸腾驱动因子之间的时滞效应.结果表明:辽东栎和刺槐液流通量密度的日变化节律与气象因子显著相关,空气水汽压亏缺峰值的出现较辽东栎树干液流通量密度滞后118.2 min,较刺槐树干液流通量密度滞后39.5 min;而光合有效辐射的峰值通常滞后于辽东栎12.4 min,提前于刺槐68.5 min.液流通量密度和空气水汽压亏缺的时滞长度与树种和土壤含水量显著相关,辽东栎、刺槐在土壤含水量较高时段的时滞长度分别大于土壤含水量较低时段32.2和68.2 min.时滞长度与径级的相关性整体上未达到显著水平,但在土壤含水量较低时段小径级刺槐的时滞长度大于大径级21.4 min,差异达到了显著水平.两树种液流通量密度与空气水汽压亏缺之间的时滞效应反映了对蒸腾驱动因子的敏感性,较好的土壤水分条件有利于液流通量密度提早达到峰值,较低土壤水分会导致树干液流对气象环境因子响应的敏感性降低;刺槐树干液流受土壤水分的影响更显著.     

黄土高原半干旱区柠条(Caragana korshinskii)树干液流动态及其影响因子

应用热脉冲技术在黄土高原神木县六道沟小流域于2006年6月13至25日测定了两种不同密度柠条(Caragana korshinskii)群落的树干液流动态.同时测量了土壤水分、太阳辐射、大气温度、相对湿度、风速、水汽压亏缺和作物参考蒸散等环境因子,并根据植物蒸腾的P-M公式,反推计算冠层导度.结果表明,除风速外,柠条树木液流与太阳辐射、大气温度、相对湿度、水汽压亏缺、作物参考蒸散均显著相关,且可用太阳辐射的线性表达式来估测.不同密度群落的日蒸腾量随叶面积指数增大而增加,叶面积指数为2.3的群落平均日蒸腾为3.83mm d-1m-2,而叶面积指数为1.1的林分平均日蒸腾1.64mm d-1m-2.冠层导度与气象因子关系复杂,当土壤水分不存在亏缺时,冠层导度与太阳辐射、大气温度、作物参考蒸散因子显著相关,与水汽亏缺和相对湿度因子无相关性;当土壤水分存在亏缺时,冠层导度与太阳辐射、大气温度、作物参考蒸散因子无相关关系,而与水汽亏缺和相对湿度因子显著相关.     

北方四种城市树木蒸腾耗水的环境响应

2008年6-8月,以大连市劳动公园内雪松、大叶榉、水杉和丝棉木4种树木作为研究对象,采用热扩散探针（TDP）法对其树干边材液流进行了连续动态测定,并同步测定了土壤水分与小气候等环境因子.结果表明：观测季节内,树木所处立地条件下不存在水分胁迫,树木液流与土壤湿度相关性不显著（R²<0.05,P>0.211,n=1296).4种样木白天液流速率与太阳辐射变化存在“时滞”现象,液流速率的相关系数(R²)在0.624～0.773(P=0.00,n=1296),其影响主要集中在5：00-8：00和18：00-20:00辐射骤变期间（R² >0.700,P<0.05).水汽压亏缺(VPD)是影响样木夜间蒸腾的主要因子(R²>0.660,P<0.05,n=1872),与全天液流速率的R²值在0.650.～0.823(P=0.00,n=1296),以VPD建立的统计模型可以解释90%以上全天液流的变化(P=0.00).风速与树木液流呈极显著相关关系,但R²值 小于前两者(R²<0.380,P=0.00,n=1296).此外,树木液流的环境响应存在饱和现象.     

Water relations in Norway spruce trees growing at ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations

Water relations were studied in Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] trees grown at ambient (AC, 350 μmol mol⁻¹) and elevated (EC, 700 μmol mol⁻¹) CO₂ concentrations under temperate water stress. The results suggested that both crown position and variability in atmospheric CO₂ concentration are responsible for different patterns of crown water relations. Mean hourly sap flux density (FSA) showed higher values in upper crown position in comparison with the whole crown in both AC and EC treatments. Mean soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductance (G_Tsa) was 1.4 times higher for the upper crown than that calculated across the whole crown for the trees in AC. However, G_Tsa did not vary significantly with crown position in EC trees, suggesting that elevated CO₂ may mitigate differences in hydraulic supply for different canopy layers. The trees in EC treatment exhibited significantly higher values of F_SA measured on the whole crown level and slightly higher soil water content compared to AC treatment, suggesting more economical use of soil water and therefore an advantage under water-limited conditions.     

祁连山青海云杉低液流特征及其影响因素

植被蒸腾作为林区生态水文的重要组成部分,是分析林区水分循环及其植被健康生长的基础,对林区保护和科学管理至关重要。本研究于2017—2018年运用热扩散探针对祁连山青海云杉树干液流进行连续监测,探究祁连山青海云杉蒸腾耗水特征,并分析影响云杉生长和蒸腾过程的主控因素。结果表明: 青海云杉树干液流的瞬时变化在晴天呈单峰曲线,在阴天呈多峰或双峰型曲线,在雨天基本无明显规律。青海云杉液流密度与太阳辐射变化趋势一致,晴天液流启动较早,结束较晚,液流历时12～14 h。因该地区海拔较高(2700 m),空气温度较低,饱和水汽压差(VPD)较低,导致液流密度整体偏低,平均为(0.86±0.49) kg·d^-1。在小时尺度上,液流瞬时速率受太阳辐射和VPD的显著影响,而在日尺度下,0～40 cm土层土壤温度和土壤水分含量与液流密度显著相关。云杉液流密度随着太阳辐射、空气温度和VPD的降低而降低,在祁连山高海拔林区,较低的土壤和空气温度以及较低的VPD和太阳辐射是导致该地区青海云杉液流偏低的主要原因。     

民勤绿洲荒漠过渡带梭梭树干液流的时滞特征

应用Granier热扩散探针测定民勤绿洲荒漠过渡带梭梭人工林的树干液流,将液流与饱和水汽压差(VPD)和光合有效辐射(PAR)数据分别进行逐行错位分析,探讨树干液流与环境因子之间的时滞效应.结果表明: 梭梭日液流速率呈现明显的季节变化,6月平均液流速率最大,8月平均液流速率最小.生长季(5-9月)梭梭树干液流与光合有效辐射、饱和水汽压差存在明显的时滞,树干液流滞后于PAR 80 min,提前于VPD 114 min,且不同月份的时滞长短存在差异.尽管梭梭树干液流在日尺度上更加依赖于PAR的变化,但在白天,树干液流与饱和水汽压差间有更紧密的关系.梭梭生长季树干液流与VPD或PAR之间的时滞与树形因子(株高、地径、50 cm处直径、枝下高、冠幅)及夜间液流量的相关性均不显著.     

Using branch and basal trunk sap flow measurements to estimate whole-plant water capacitance: a caution

Thermometric sap flow sensors are widely used to measure water flow in roots, stems and branches of plants. Comparison of the timing of flow in branches and stems has been used to estimate water capacitance of large trees. We review studies of sap flow in branches and present our own data to show that there is wide variation in the patterns and timing of sap flow of branches in different parts of the crown, owing to the course of daily solar illuminance. In contiguous forest, east-facing and upper branches are illuminated earlier than west-facing and lower branches and most capacitance studies do not include adequate information about branch sampling regimes relative to the overall pattern of crown illuminance, raising questions about the accuracy of capacitance estimates. Measuring only upper branches and normalising these results to represent the entire crown is dangerous because flows at the stem base likely peak in response to maximum crown illuminance (and transpiration) and this will differ compared to the timing of peak flows in upper branches. We suggest that the magnitude of flow lags between branches and stems needs further study, with careful attention to branch position and method application before a robust understanding of capacitance, particularly in woody tissues of large trees, can be formed. We did not detect flow lags in the world’s tallest and largest tree species Sequoia sempervirens and Sequoiadendron giganteum, despite measurement along large pathlengths (∼57 and 85 m), which raises questions as to why large flow lags are often recorded for much smaller species. One conspicuous possibility is the different methods used among studies. Constant-heating methods such as the thermal dissipation probe (and also heat balance methods) include heat capacitance behaviour due to warming of wood tissues, which delays the response of the sensors to changing sap flow conditions. We argue that methods with intrinsic heat-capacitance present dangers when trying to measure water-capacitance in trees. In this respect heat pulse methods hold an advantage.     

Sap flow rates and sapwood density are critical factors in within- and between-tree variation in CO2 efflux from stems of mature Dacrydium cupressinum trees

Measurements of CO2 efflux from stems and branches, sap velocity, and respiratory activity of excised wood cores were conducted in Dacrydium cupressinum trees that differed in diameter, age, and canopy emergence. The objective of this study was to determine if consistent linkages exist among respiratory production of CO2 within stems, xylem transport of CO2, and the rate of CO2 diffusing from stem surfaces. Stem CO2 efflux was depressed during periods of sap flow compared with the efflux rate expected for a given stem temperature and was positively correlated with sapwood density. By contrast, no significant relationships were observed between CO2 efflux and the respiratory activity of wood tissues. Between 86 and 91% of woody tissue respiration diffused to the atmosphere over a 24-h period. However, at certain times of the day, xylem transport and internal storage of CO2 may account for up to 13-38% and 12-18%, respectively, of woody tissue respiration. These results demonstrate that differences in sap flow rates and xylem anatomy are critically important for explaining within- and between-tree variation in CO2 efflux from stems.     

Relationship between stem CO2 efflux, stem sap velocity and xylem CO2 concentration in young loblolly pine trees

We measured diel patterns of stem surface CO2 efflux (Es, micromol m(-2) s(-1)), sap velocity (vs, mm s(-1)) and xylem CO2 concentration ([CO2]) (Xs, %) in 8-year-old loblolly pine trees during the spring to determine how vs and Xs influence Es. All trees showed a strong diel hysteresis between Es and stem temperature, where at a given temperature, Es was lower during the day than at night. Diel variations in temperature-independent Es were correlated with vs (R2= 0.54), such that at maximum vs, Es was reduced between 18 and 40%. However, this correlation may not represent a cause-and-effect relationship. In a subset of trees, vs was artificially reduced by progressively removing the tree canopy. Reducing vs to near zero had no effect on Es and did not change the diel hysteretic response to temperature. Diel Xs tended to decrease with vs and increase with Es, however, in defoliated trees, large increases in Xs, when vs approximately 0, had no effect on Es. We conclude that at this time of the year, Es is driven primarily by respiration of cambium and phloem tissues and that sap flow and xylem transport of CO2 had no direct influence on Es.     

Transpiration and stomatal behaviour of Quercus ilex plants during the summer in a Mediterranean carbon dioxide spring

Variations in the water relations and stomatal response of Quercus ilex were analysed under field conditions by comparing trees at two locations in a Mediterranean environment during two consecutive summers (1993 and 1994). We used the heat-pulse velocity technique to estimate transpirational water use of trees during a 5 month period from June to November 1994. At the end of sap flow measurements, the trees were harvested, and the foliage and sapwood area measured. A distinct environmental gradient exists between the two sites with higher atmospheric CO₂ concentrations in the proximity of a natural CO₂ spring. Trees at the spring site have been growing for generations in elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. At both sites, maximum leaf conductance was related to predawn shoot water potential. The effects of water deficits on water relations and whole-plant transpiration during the summer drought were severe. Leaf conductance and water potential recovered after major rainfall in September to predrought values. Sap flow, leaf conductance and predawn water potential decreased in parallel with increases in hydraulic resistance, reaching a minimum in mid-summer. These relationships are in agreement with the hypothesis of the stomatal control of transpiration to prevent desiccation damage but also to avoid ‘runaway embolism’. Trees at the CO₂ spring underwent less reduction in hydraulic resistance for a given value of predawn water potential. The decrease in leaf conductance caused by elevated CO₂ was limited and tended to be less at high than at low atmospheric vapour pressure deficit. Mean (and diurnal) sap flux were consistently higher in the control site trees than in the CO₂ spring trees. The degree of reduction in water use between the two sites varied among the summer periods. The control site trees had consistently higher sap flow at corresponding values of either sapwood cross-sectional area or foliage area. Larger trees displayed smaller differences than smaller trees, between the control and the CO₂ spring trees. A strong association between foliage area and sapwood cross-sectional area was found in both the control and the CO₂ spring trees, the latter supporting a smaller foliage area at the corresponding sapwood stem cross-sectional area. The specific leaf area (SLA) of the foliage was not influenced by site. The results are discussed in terms of the effects of elevated CO₂ on plant water use at the organ and whole-tree scale.