Groundwater subsidizes tree growth and transpiration in sandy humid forests

As drought variability increases in forests around the globe, it is critical to evaluate and understand ecosystem attributes that ameliorate drought impacts. Trees in arid and semi-arid ecosystems can sustain tree growth and transpiration during drought by accessing shallow groundwater, yet the extent to which groundwater influences forest growth and transpiration in humid environments has largely been unexplored. We quantified groundwater's influence on tree growth and transpiration in northern humid forests with sandy soils. We hypothesized that even in wet regions, soil droughts occur relatively frequently in forests with sandy soils and result in water stress and reduced tree growth. Further, we hypothesized these reductions in productivity are ameliorated if the forest can access shallow groundwater during dry conditions. We evaluated tree growth responses using tree cores in Pinus resinosa trees and estimated forest groundwater use from diel water table fluctuations across sites covering a 1- to 9-m depth-to-groundwater (DTG) gradient. In areas of shallow groundwater (DTG < 2.5 m), we observed twice as much tree growth and high, frequent groundwater use (up to 81% of non-rainy summer days). Groundwater's influence on tree growth and transpiration declined as groundwater deepened along the DTG gradient in the range 1-5 m below land surface. These findings suggest that water provided by a shallow water table subsidizes evapotranspiration in humid forests and results in enhanced tree growth. Our research provides a basis for understanding the role of groundwater in conferring drought resistance in humid forests to help guide sustainable water and forest management decisions.

Automated summary

Research on the influence of groundwater on tree growth and transpiration in northern humid forests with sandy soils shows that shallow groundwater can enhance tree growth by subsidizing evapotranspiration. Further study is needed to understand the role of groundwater in conferring drought resistance in humid forests.