晋西北黄土高原丘陵区不同土地利用方式下土壤碳氮储量

对晋西北黄土高原丘陵区杨树-小叶锦鸡儿人工林、小叶锦鸡儿人工灌丛、杨树人工林、撂荒地和农田5种土地利用方式下土壤碳氮储量进行研究.结果表明: 不同土地利用方式下土壤碳氮含量、碳氮密度和碳氮储量存在显著差异.5种土地利用方式0～20 cm表层土壤碳氮含量和碳氮密度均显著大于20～40 cm和40～60 cm土层.5种土地利用方式同一土层碳氮含量和碳氮密度大小为: 杨树-小叶锦鸡儿人工林>小叶锦鸡儿人工灌丛>杨树人工林>撂荒地>农田;0～60 cm土层土壤有机碳储量大小为:杨树-小-叶锦鸡儿人工林(30.09 t·hm^-2)>小叶锦鸡儿人工灌丛(24.78 t·hm^-2)>杨树人工林(24.14 t·hm^-2)>撂荒地(22.06 t·hm^-2)>农田(17.59 t·hm^-2);土壤氮储量与有机碳储量变化规律相似,杨树-小叶锦鸡儿人工林0～60 cm土层土壤氮储量(4.94 t·hm^-2)最高,其次是小叶锦鸡儿人工灌丛(3.53 t·hm^-2)、杨树人工林(3.51 t·hm^-2)和撂荒地(3.40 t·hm^-2),农田土壤氮储量(2.71 t·hm^-2)最低.杨树-小叶锦鸡儿人工林和小叶锦鸡儿人工灌丛是晋西北黄土高原丘陵区植被建设和生态恢复过程中较好的两种土地利用方式.     

龙须草叶片形态结构与生理功能的研究

利用定样平行配套观测方法 ,研究了龙须草叶片形态结构和光合、蒸腾等生理功能 ,结果表明 :龙须草叶片呈长剑形 ,叶长为 35～ 1 50 cm,最长可达 2 0 0 cm以上 ,叶宽为 0 .1 9～0 .48cm;功能叶结构具有典型的 C4 “花环结构”;上表皮中具有十分发达的保护水分过度蒸腾的“泡状细胞”;上表皮气孔分布密度大于下表皮。功能叶叶绿素 a/ b值为 3.2 8± 0 .2 6。背面叶平均光合强度为 62 .4( CO2 mg/ dm2 · h)、呼吸强度为 3.57( CO2 mg/ dm2 · h)、蒸腾强度为 372 6( H2 O mg/ dm2 · h)、气孔阻力为 0 .2 1 ( sec./ cm)、水分利用效率为 1 6.747。背面叶的光合强度和蒸腾强度明显高于腹面叶。     

生活污水慢渗对‘中林2001’杨树人工林生长的影响

采用不同污水水力负荷(每周0、3、6、9、12、15 cm),在‘中林2001’杨树人工林林地进行了污水慢渗试验.结果表明：不同负荷生活污水处理使‘中林2001’杨树人工林土壤平均有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾和Na⁺含量分别比对照(0 cm)增加1.940、0.115、0.029、1.454和0.030 g·kg^-1;在较低水力负荷(3～12 cm)时,杨树平均总生长量增加17.583 t·hm^-2·a^-1,各器官的平均氮、磷、Na⁺含量分别增加3.086、0.645和0.121 g·kg^-1,水力负荷在每周6～12 cm时, 杨树平均总生长量和各器官平均氮、磷、Na⁺含量达到最大值(36.252 t·hm^-2·a^-1、13.162 g·kg^-1、5.137 g·kg^-1、0.361 g·kg^-1),负荷继续升高则有所下降.杨树各器官钾含量随着水力负荷的增加而降低;污水处理使杨树的叶长增加,叶不对称性减少、使林木延迟落叶.当水力负荷＞每周12 cm时,土壤中较高的Na⁺和水分含量将危害杨树生长.适宜‘中林2001’杨树人工林生长的污水水力负荷在每周3～12 cm.     

黄土高原陕北丘陵沟壑区不同立地条件下刺槐水分生理生态特性研究

对黄土高原丘陵沟壑区不同立地条件下刺槐水分生理生态特性进行了初步研究.结果表明,不同立地刺槐林地0～500cm土壤平均含水量(2003年)分别为阳坡6.96%、半阳坡7.62%、半阴坡8.06%、阴坡8.87%,阴坡、半阴坡与阳坡差异达极显著,与半阳坡达显著水平,半阳坡与阳坡差异显著,而阴坡与半阴坡差异不显著.不同立地条件下刺槐叶片相对含水量和饱和亏与各立地土壤含水量关系密切,阳坡刺槐叶片相对含水量和叶水势始终维持在较低水平,而半阴坡和阴坡尤其是阴坡维持在较高水平.刺槐日蒸腾平均值大小顺序为阴坡(4.07μg·cm^-2·s^-1)＞半阴坡(3.89μg·cm^-2·s^-1)＞半阳坡(3.05 μg·cm^-2·s^-1)＞阳坡(2.70μg·cm^-2·s^-1),各立地刺槐蒸腾出现较大差异的时间在11:00和13:00.不同立地条件除阳坡外其刺槐蒸腾速率均与光照强度显著相关,各立地均与大气相对湿度显著相关,与土壤水分密切相关.阴坡生物量最高(8.50gk·株^-1),高于其他3种立地,阳坡最低(5.79kg·株^-1).     

基于稳定同位素和热扩散技术的张北杨树水分关系差异

利用稳定氢同位素和热扩散技术研究张北防护林杨树的水分来源和蒸腾耗水,分析确定未退化与退化杨树的水分关系差异.结果表明:在生长季节中退化杨树主要利用0～30 cm土壤水分,未退化杨树主要利用30～80 cm土壤水分,两者的水分来源不同.旱季时,未退化杨树利用深层土壤水分和地下水的比例明显高于退化杨树.雨季中,杨树对0～30 cm土壤水分的利用比例增加,退化杨树增加幅度明显高于未退化杨树,对30～180 cm土壤水分的利用比例均减少.未退化杨树的液流速率大于退化杨树,不同天气中液流速率表现出相似的变化趋势,但未退化杨树液流的启动时间比退化杨树早.相关分析表明,未退化和退化杨树液流速率与土壤温度、风速、太阳辐射、相对湿度、空气温度均呈极显著的相关关系.退化杨树液流速率与土壤温度和空气相对湿度呈极显著负相关,与其他因素呈显著正相关,而未退化杨树仅与空气相对湿度呈极显著负相关,与其他因素均呈显著正相关关系,表明退化和未退化杨树蒸腾耗水易受环境条件的影响.退化杨树液流日累计量明显小于未退化杨树,表明其蒸腾耗水量较少;退化杨树水分来源浅,蒸腾耗水的减少并不能阻止林分退化.     

雷州半岛尾叶桉和湿加松人工林的蒸腾耗水规律

为正确认识大径材桉树及湿加松耗水规律,为地区人工林树种选择、栽培及抚育提供指导,应用TDP热扩散探针技术,对10年生尾叶桉和湿加松树干液流进行连续监测,并同步测定各气象因子,分析了雷州半岛地区尾叶桉和湿加松蒸腾耗水的日变化特征和季节变化规律,并与气象因子建立了相关模型。结果表明:尾叶桉和湿加松边材液流均表现出典型的昼高夜低的单峰型日变化特征,各月平均液流速率不同,且旱雨季差异显著;其中峰值尾叶桉雨季(0.127 cm/min)和旱季(0.096 cm/min)分别是湿加松雨季和旱季的1.30倍和1.57倍;日平均液流速率尾叶桉雨季(0.045 cm/min)和旱季(0.033 cm/min)分别是湿加松雨季和旱季的1.27倍和1.54倍;启动时间和迅速下降时间雨季两树种间差异不大,但旱季尾叶桉要提前湿加松约1—1.5 h启动,并晚0.5—1 h迅速下降。影响两树种边材液流速率的主要气象因子相同。尾叶桉人工林年平均单株日耗水量为12.79 L/d,是湿加松的1.33倍,林分蒸腾耗水量尾叶桉(582.16 mm)和湿加松(483.24 mm),分别占同期年降雨量的34.2%和28.4%,且两树种旱雨季蒸腾耗水量均雨季显著大于旱季。     

六种沉水植物的克隆生长特征

为构建种群动态模型以指导沉水植被修复工程实践, 研究采用同质园实验方法对6种常见沉水植物(竹叶眼子菜(Potamogeton wrightii)、眼子菜(P. distinctus)、光叶眼子菜(P. lucens)、穿叶眼子菜(P. perfoliatus)、扭叶眼子菜(P. intortifolius)和苦草(Vallisneria natans)的克隆生长模式进行了连续观测研究, 获取了分株形成速率、空间扩张速率、株高增加速率等种群扩张动态参数,及分株数、间隔子长度、分株高度等克隆构件特征参数。结果表明, 6种沉水植物的分株数从28d开始增长, 其中苦草的分株形成速率最高, 平均为1.09株/d, 分株形成最大速率出现在55d之后; 穿叶眼子菜和扭叶眼子菜的分株形成速率低于苦草, 但是高于竹叶眼子菜、眼子菜和光叶眼子菜, 最大速率出现在41d之后。虽然苦草的分株最多, 但是分株的株高最低, 其株高增长速率均值为0.2 cm/d。眼子菜属物种中竹叶眼子菜和眼子菜株高增长速率最高, 光叶眼子菜的株高增长速率和分株形成速率都最低。克隆系占据面积随时间的扩张速率为穿叶眼子菜(113.22 cm2/d)>扭叶眼子菜(71.70 cm2/d)>苦草(35.48 cm2/d)>竹叶眼子菜(12.09 cm2/d)>眼子菜(3.07 cm2/d)>光叶眼子菜(0.53 cm2/d)。此外, 研究还发现眼子菜属植物普遍表现出匍匐茎上“节”的形成, 而苦草则不具备这种特性, 匍匐茎“节”的形成及随之形成的不定根在眼子菜属植物空间扩张过程中具有重要的生态功能, 并在种群构建方面与苦草等其他物种发生分异。基于眼子菜属植物匍匐茎上的“节”可以形成跳跃性的分株, 在种群面积扩张方面更具优势; 而苦草形成分株的数量更多、速度更快, 在提高种群密度保障种群稳定方面更有优势。     

河西地区几种中生植物的蒸腾和传导率与叶内外环境的关系

用LI-1600稳态气孔仪,测定了河西地区分布较广的五种木本植物的蒸腾和传导率及环境因子。只要光照不低于气孔开启所需的强度,植物蒸腾率最高点之前的高低变化与叶温上升的速率无关,而仅与每一时刻叶温高低密切相关。在种内,蒸腾率大致随叶的厚度和单位叶面积的栅栏组织表面积的增大而提高。但种间则无此相关性。同一样本叶的上下表面蒸腾率之比与其气孔数之比相对应,而种间则毫无关系。环境条件大致相同情况下,二白杨(Populus kansuensis)全天蒸腾量为78.2gH2O·dm-2,沙枣(Elaeagnus angustifolia)为40,4gH2O·dm-2。分别是箭杆杨(P.nigra var.thevestina)的2.5和1.3倍。同一灌溉条件下,梨光杏(Prunus armeniaca var.glabra)为26.7gH2O·dm-2,比毛杏(P.armeniaca var.ansu)高0.6倍。     

滴灌与沟灌栽培杨树人工林土壤水分动态与生产力

在北京大兴区永定河故道沙地上对9年生杨树人工林进行滴灌和沟灌栽培,于根系主要分布土层(20、40、60、80 cm)布设土壤水分传感器并利用智能采集器实时监测土壤含水率,分析不同灌溉措施下的土壤水分动态变化及杨树人工林生产力。结果表明: 单次有效的滴灌和沟灌后,沿树行形成的湿润体垂直深度分别为72和143 cm,湿润体横切面的面积分别为0.41和2.71 m²;灌溉量分别为79.20和776.47 m³·hm^-2,后者为前者的9.8倍,灌溉后杨树吸收根主要分布土层(0～40 cm)的土壤含水率下降到水分轻度亏缺临界值(土壤含水率为田间持水量的70%)的历时均为11 d左右。2019年4—10月,沟灌5、7、9月3次总灌溉量为2329.41 m³·hm^-2;滴灌18次,总灌溉量为1425.60 m³·hm^-2。沟灌下杨树人工林土壤水分中度亏缺(土壤含水率低于田间持水量的60%)累计天数达109 d,而滴灌下的杨树人工林土壤水分始终未发生中度亏缺。滴灌下杨树人工林蓄积年生长量为38.92 m³·hm^-2,是沟灌(25.43 m³·hm^-2)的1.5倍,表明不同灌溉措施下杨树人工林生产力差异显著。     

川西亚高山人工林碳氮分配格局及其随凋落叶分解的释放规律

对四川西部亚高山地区连香树、糙皮桦、云南松和云杉4种主要人工林生态系统的生物量、土壤及林木器官C、N含量进行了测定.结果表明：林木体内C的分布与器官年龄的关系不明显,而N和C/N的分布与年龄的关系较为密切.幼嫩器官中的N含量大于老化器官,老化器官中的C/N比值大于幼嫩器官,且针叶林地枯落叶中的C/N比值大于阔叶林地.C、N在土壤表层具有明显的富集作用,在整个人工林生态系统(包括林木、枯落物和土壤0～40 cm)中的积累量分别达 176.75～228.05 t·hm^-2和 11.06～16.54 t·hm^-2,在土壤-枯落物分室和林木分室中的分配比例为C （1.9～3.3）∶1,N （15.6～41.5）∶1,且针叶林的“C汇”功能大于阔叶林.阔叶林地的凋落叶分解速率一般大于针叶林地,周转期分别为2.2～3.7 a和3.9～4.2a;在凋落叶分解过程中,C在所有林地均呈超速释出态势,周转期为1.9～3.4 a;N在连香树和糙皮桦林地呈超速释出态势,周转期为1.9～3.2 a,在云南松和云杉林地呈慢速释出态势,周转期为6.7～8.5 a.     

全膜微垄沟穴播对春小麦土壤水热环境的影响及其光合和产量效应

减弱春季寒旱生境限制是提高甘肃中东部旱地春小麦产量的关键要素之一。本研究于2016—2018年在甘肃中部半干旱旱作区开展大田试验,以‘陇春35号’为供试品种,设置全膜微垄沟穴播(PRF)、全膜覆土穴播(PMS)和露地穴播(CK)3个处理,测定春小麦不同生育期0～300 cm土层的土壤含水量、0～25 cm土壤温度、叶片生物量、叶片叶绿素(SPAD)、光合速率、蒸腾速率和作物产量,从土壤水热-冠层发育-产量角度揭示PRF处理对土壤水热环境、水分利用效率(WUE)和产量的影响。结果表明: 与CK相比,PRF和PMS处理0～25 cm土层的土壤温度在苗期分别提高2.8和2.5 ℃,灌浆-成熟期分别降低1.4和0.9 ℃;0～300 cm土壤贮水量在播前-苗期分别增加59.7和41.8 mm;0～300 cm耗水量在苗期-灌浆期分别提高46.1和39.8 mm。与PMS处理相比,PRF处理的小麦苗期温度提高0.3 ℃,灌浆-成熟期降低0.5 ℃;播前-苗期0～300 cm土壤贮水量增加18.0 mm,拔节-成熟期耗水量提高13.0 mm。基于对土壤水热条件的优化,PRF和PMS处理的叶片生物量、SPAD值、苗期-灌浆期叶片净光合速率、蒸腾速率均显著高于CK,且PRF处理均显著高于PMS处理。PRF处理比PMS处理和CK分别增产9.1%和36.5%,WUE分别提高5.9%和30.8%。因此,PRF处理能提高苗期地温,降低灌浆-成熟期地温,促进春小麦苗期-灌浆期的耗水,提高了春小麦叶片SPAD值和生物量,增强春小麦苗期-灌浆期旗叶的光合功能,从而实现增产和水分高效利用,而且这一优势在欠水年份(2016和2017年)更加明显。     

Effects of tussock size and soil water content on whole plant gas exchange in Stipa tenacissima L.: Extrapolating from the leaf versus modelling crown architecture

In this study we evaluated daily whole plant transpiration and net photosynthetic rates in Stipa tenacissima L. (Poaceae) tussocks of different sizes subjected to three levels of soil moisture. The crown architecture of 12 tussocks was reconstructed with the 3D computer model Yplant taking into account the morphology and physiology of the leaves determined at different soil moisture levels. We also calculated whole plant transpiration by extrapolating leaf transpiration in different senescence conditions measured with a diffusion porometer. This extrapolated transpiration overestimated transpiration, particularly when the soil moisture level was high (>15% of volumetric soil water content). At this high level of soil moisture, large tussocks (>60 cm in diameter), which were sexually mature and had a large leaf surface area, were the most efficient with regard to daily water use efficiency (whole plant net photosynthesis/whole plant transpiration). Whole plant water use efficiency decreased with tussock size primarily because small tussocks exhibited high transpiration rates. Small tussocks were more sensitive to soil drying than large and intermediate ones, presenting a faster rate of leaf senescence as water deficit increased. Leaf acclimation to irradiance, which was significantly influenced by the degree of mutual shading among neighbouring leaves, along with the ontogeny of the tussock and its effect upon leaf senescence were found to be the main mechanisms involved in the different responses to water limitations found in whole plant gas exchange variables. Our results show that the size of each individual plant must be taken into account in processes of scaling-up of carbon gain and transpiration from leaf to stand, as this is a particularly relevant aspect in estimating water use by semiarid vegetation.     

广西沿海红海榄造林的宜林临界线

2004年8月—2005年8月,在广西英罗湾滩涂上建造8个高程梯度(320~390cm,相邻梯级间高度差10cm)的试验平台,研究全日潮海区潮汐淹水胁迫对红海榄幼苗生长和生理指标的影响.结果表明:小高程(320~330cm)生境对红海榄幼苗茎高生长有微弱促进作用,340cm以上高程组幼苗茎高随滩涂高程增加而增大.中等高程(350~370cm)有利于幼苗茎节数的增长.滩涂高程越低,幼苗叶数、叶面积和叶保存率越低.小高程组幼苗叶片叶绿素a受损明显,叶绿素b则受损相对较轻;叶绿素a/b值随滩涂高程降低而减少.长时间淹水诱导使根系中SOD活性上升,叶片中则表现为中等高程组酶活性较低.叶片和根系中POD活性均随高程降低而增加.淹水胁迫使红海榄幼苗各器官及全株的生物量降低;随着淹水程度加大,新生器官生物量分配比例由叶向茎转移.随着高程降低,幼苗存活率从88.9%降至40.0%,但370cm以上高程组存活率均在80%以上.建议将当地平均海面线作为广西沿海红海榄胚轴造林的宜林临界线.     

Specification of adaxial and abaxial stomata, epidermal structure and photosynthesis to CO2 enrichment in maize leaves

Acclimation to CO2 enrichment was studied in maize plants grown to maturity in either 350 or 700 microl l-1 CO2. Plants grown with CO2 enrichment were significantly taller than those grown at 350 microl l-1 CO2 but they had the same number of leaves. High CO2 concentration led to a marked decrease in whole leaf chlorophyll and protein. The ratio of stomata on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces was similar in all growth conditions, but the stomatal index was considerably increased in plants grown at 700 microl l-1 CO2. Doubling the atmospheric CO2 content altered epidermal cell size leading to fewer, much larger cells on both leaf surfaces. The photosynthesis and transpiration rates were always higher on the abaxial surface than the adaxial surface. CO2 uptake rates increased as atmospheric CO2 was increased up to the growth concentrations on both leaf surfaces. Above these values, CO2 uptake on the abaxial surface was either stable or increased as CO2 concentration increased. In marked contrast, CO2 uptake rates on the adaxial surface were progressively inhibited at concentrations above the growth CO2 value, whether light was supplied directly to this or the abaxial surface. These results show that maize leaves adjust their stomatal densities through changes in epidermal cell numbers rather than stomatal numbers. Moreover, the CO2-response curve of photosynthesis on the adaxial surface is specifically determined by growth CO2 abundance and tracks transpiration. Conversely, photosynthesis on the abaxial surface is largely independent of CO2 concentration and rather independent of stomatal function.     

绿洲生态条件下春小麦蒸发蒸腾特征及其影响因子

 在河西走廊临泽绿洲北部试验区,对春小麦进行3种水分处理并同时观测了全生育期内的蒸发蒸腾(ET)及环境中各生态因子和植物生理指标。结果表明：当年全生育期内,春小麦ET在充分供水条件下为593mm;在中等供水条件下为365mm;在少量供水条件下为280mm。其日蒸散量分别为5.5mm,3.4mm和2.8mm。讨论了影响ET和植物蒸腾的各植物生理指标和环境因子,发现在植物诸指标与蒸腾相关程度的顺序为：叶片水势、气孔导度和叶温(充分供水)及叶片水势、叶温和气孔导度(水分胁迫)。在环境诸因子中与ET的相关程度顺序是：有效光合辐射、净辐射、20cm土温、大气饱和水汽压差,15cm土温、气温、10cm土温、土壤表面温度及5cm土温。     

The Effect of Age, Pre-conditioning, and Water Stress on the Transpiration Rates of Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Seedlings of Several Ecotypes

Seedlings of Douglas-fir from seed of a number of mesic and xeric origins were grown in growth chambers and a nursery to various ages up to 16 weeks. Measurements were made to determine the effect of seedling age, growth chamber and nursery pre-conditioning, and seed source on transpiration rates under closely controlled laboratory conditions. Additional experiments were conducted on seedlings of two contrasting ecotypes to determine the effect of different pre-conditioning combinations of plant and soil water potential on seedling transpiration rates. Results show that well-watered seedlings of two mesic ecotypes show no decline in transpiration rates per unit leaf area up to 16 weeks of age while corresponding seedlings of three exeric ecotypes do decline. The growth chamber pre-conditioning results in lower seedling transpiration rates and more decline in seedling transpiration rates with increasing plant water stress than for nursery pre-conditioning. In a similar way, the xeric ecotype seedlings have more decline in transpiration rates with increasing plant water stress than do the mesic ecotype seedlings. Soil water potential influences transpiration rates through pre-conditioning effects. Seedlings which have experienced prior soil moisture stress decrease transpiration more in response to low plant water potentials than do plants which have experienced no soil moisture stress. These behavioral characteristics illustrate adaptive means by which seedlings conserve water through the interaction of genetic and preconditioning mechanisms.     

Influence of leaf size,orientation, and arrangement on temperature and transpiration in three high-elevation,large-leafed herbs

Summary The temperature and water relations of the largleafed, high-elevation species Frasera speciosa, Balsamorhiza sagittata, and Rumex densiflorus were evaluated in the Medicine Bow Mountains of southeast Wyoming (USA) to determine the influence of leaf size, orientation, and arrangement on transpiration. These species characteristically have low minimum stomatal resistances (<60 s m^-1) and high maximum transpiration rates (>260 mg m^-2s^-1 for F. speciosa). Field measurements of leaf and microclimatic parameters were incorporated into a computer simulation using standard energy balance equations which predicted leaf temperature (T _leaf) and transpiration for various leaf sizes. Whole-plant transpiration during a day was simulated using field measurements for plants with natural leaf sizes and compared to transpiration rates simulated for plants having identical, but hypothetically smaller (0.5 cm) leaves during a clear day and a typically cloudy day. Although clear-day transpiration for F. speciosa plants with natural size leaves was only 2.0% less per unit leaf area than that predicted for plants with much smaller leaves, daily transpiration of B. sagittata and R. densiflorus plants with natural leaf sizes was 16.1% and 21.1% less, respectively. The predicted influence of a larger leaf size on transpiration for the cloudy day was similar to clear-day results except that F. speciosa had much greater decreases in transpiration (12.7%). The different influences of leaf size on transpiration between the three species was primarily due to major differences in leaf absorptance to solar radiation, orientation, and arrangement which caused large differences in T _leaf. Also, simulated increases in leaf size above natural sizes measured in the field resulted in only small additional decreases in predicted transpiration, indicating a leaf size that was nearly optimal for reducing transpiration. These results are discussed in terms of the possible evolution of a larger leaf size in combination with specific leaf absorptances, orientations and arrangements which could act to reduce transpiration for species growing in short-season habitats where the requirement for rapid carbon fixation might necessitate low stomatal resistances.     

XYLEM ANATOMY AND HYDRAULIC CONDUCTANCE OF COSTA RICAN BLECHNUM FERNS

Hydraulic conductivities of stems, stipes, and elongate leaf stipes were determined for greenhouse-grown Blechnum (B. fraxineum, B. fragile, B. buchtienii, B. sprucei) and Salpichlaena (S. volubilis) plants collected in tropical rain forests of Costa Rica. Organ conductivity was examined in relation to morphology and tracheid characteristics in order to gain an understanding of factors influencing water flow. Hydraulic conductivity of plant organs was determined by measurement of transpiration rates, leaf areas, and water potential gradients. Erect stemmed species develop larger whole plant water potential gradients than elongate stemmed species for a similar transpiration rate. Elongate leaves develop even smaller water potential gradients for a given transpiration rate. Stems have larger hydraulic conductivities but smaller leaf-specific conductivities (LSCs) than stipes. Small conductivities and small LSCs are associated with short, erect stems. Elongate structures have large conductivities and large LSCs. Of the tracheid characteristics examined, the most important characteristics determining the magnitude of organ hydraulic conductivity are diameter, pit aperture area between tracheids, taper length, and cell length. Large conductivities of S. volubilis climbing leaf stipes are associated with very large-diameter tracheids (some > 200 μm), large tracheid number, exceptionally long tracheids (some > 4 cm), large pit aperture area between tracheids, short tracheid taper, and smooth tracheid lumen walls. Hagen-Poiseuille estimates of hydraulic conductivity range from 1.1 to 3.3 times the measured values. Conductivity of stipes is highly correlated with leaf area supplied by stipes. Conductivities of stems and elongate leaf stipes also correlate with leaf area supplied by these structures. Estimated hydraulic conductivities of field-grown Blechnum and Salpichlaena demonstrate that larger conductivities are associated with larger plants. This study contributes toward our knowledge of fern water relations and extends previous growth form/hydraulic architecture characterizations by providing a more comprehensive comparison of closely related species. In addition, this study provides evidence for the relative importance of tracheid characteristics in determining the magnitude of organ hydraulic conductivity.