Journal
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
Volume 40, Issue 8, Pages 1379-1391Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/pce.12928
Keywords
holm oak; hydraulic function; process-based modelling; radial stem growth; stem water storage
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Funding
- Legado de Gonzalez Esparcia
- FWO
- European Union's Horizon research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant [665501]
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Hydraulic modelling is a primary tool to predict plant performance in future drier scenarios. However, as most tree models are validated under non-stress conditions, they may fail when water becomes limiting. To simulate tree hydraulic functioning under moist and dry conditions, the current version of a water flow and storage mechanistic model was further developed by implementing equations that describe variation in xylem hydraulic resistance (R-X) and stem hydraulic capacitance (C-S) with predawn water potential (Psi(PD)). The model was applied in a Mediterranean forest experiencing intense summer drought, where six Quercus ilex trees were instrumented to monitor stem diameter variations and sap flow, concurrently with measurements of predawn and midday leaf water potential. Best model performance was observed when C-S was allowed to decrease with decreasing Psi(PD). Hydraulic capacitance decreased from 62 to 25 kgm(-3) MPa-1 across the growing season. In parallel, tree transpiration decreased to a greater extent than the capacitive water release and the contribution of stored water to transpiration increased from 2.0 to 5.1%. Our results demonstrate the importance of stored water and seasonality in C-S for tree hydraulic functioning, and they suggest that C-S should be considered to predict the drought response of trees with models.
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