Response of sap flow in Populus euphratica to changes in groundwater depth in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River of northwestern China

doi:10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2010.08.004

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Our aims were to analyze the relationship between sap flow in Populus euphratica and groundwater depth, and to determine the groundwater depth that can maintain growth in P. euphratica.

Methods Sap flow flux densities of stems of P. euphratica growing in the middle and lower reachs of the Tarim River were measured using stem heat pulse techniques in August 2008. Meteorological factors were monitored by a recording weather station. Groundwater depth data were collected from monitoring wells by the conductance method.

Important findings Sap flow flux density decreased with increased groundwater depth (correlation coefficient = -0.887). When the groundwater depth dropped to 4.5-5 m, sap flow flux density in P. euphratica was abnormal. Soil salt was not the main factor influencing sap flow in P. euphratica. Data collected from 74 vegetation plots show that cover, density and frequency decrease when the groundwater depth dropped to 4-6 m. We conclude that in order to restore P. euphratica and its ecosystem in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River, the groundwater depth must be kept at a minimum of 4.5 m.

Key words: groundwater depth, Populus euphratica, sap flow flux density, Tarim River

MA Jian-Xin, CHEN Ya-Ning, LI Wei-Hong, HUANG Xiang, ZHU Cheng-Gang, MA Xiao-Dong. Response of sap flow in Populus euphratica to changes in groundwater depth in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River of northwestern China[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2010, 34(8): 915-923.

Add to citation manager EndNote|Ris|BibTeX

URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2010.08.004

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2010/V34/I8/915

Figures/Tables 7

Fig. 1 The distribution of the monitoring section in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River. A, Shajilik; B, Shazihe; C, Wusiman; D, Aqik; E, Tieyzi; F, Akdun; G, Yahopmarhan; H, Yingsu; I, Abudali; J, Karday; K, Tugmailai; L, Argan; M, Yikanbujima; N, Korgan.

Fig. 2 Relationship between sap flow flux density in Populus euphratica (mean ± SD, n = 3) and groundwater depth (mean ± SD, n = 2) in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River.

Table 1 Pearson correlation between sap flow flux density in Populus euphratica and groundwater depth and enviromental factor

	液流通量密度 Sap flow flux density	风速 Vw	空气相对湿度 RH	气温 T_a	地温 T_s	叶温 T_l
风速 Wind velocity (Vw)	-0.214
空气相对湿度 Relative humidity (RH)	0.212	-0.650
气温 Air temperature (T_a)	-0.139	0.687	-0.990^**
地温 Soil temperature (T_s)	-0.108	0.710	-0.915^**	0.943^**
叶温 Leaf temperature (T_l)	0.281	0.735	-0.762^*	0.829^*	0.822^*
地下水埋深 Groundwater depth	-0.887^**	0.140	-0.343	0.270	0.266	-0.113

Fig. 3 Vertical distribution of root length density (RLD) of Populus euphratica fine root (mean ± SD, n = 3).

Table 2 Partial correlation between sap flow flux density and groundwater depth and soil salt

控制变量 Control variables			地下水埋深 Groundwater depth	液流 Sap flow
总盐 Total salt	液流 Sap flow	相关系数 r	-0.72
总盐 Total salt	液流 Sap flow	p	0.10
地下水埋深 Groundwater depth	总盐 Total salt	相关系数 r		0.31
地下水埋深 Groundwater depth	总盐 Total salt	p		0.56

Fig. 4 Relationship between population characters of Populus euphratica (mean ± SD, n = 10) and groundwater depth in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River.

Fig. 5 Relationship between sap flow flux density change and groundwater depth in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River (mean ± SD, n = 3).

References 40

[1]	Chang XX, Zhao WZ, Zhang ZH, Su YZ (2006). Sap flow and tree conductance of shelter-belt in and region of China. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 138, 132-141.
[2]	Chen SL, Li JK, Wang TH, Wang SS, Polle A, Hüetepmann A (2003). Gas exchange, xylem ions and abscisic acid response to Na⁺-salts and Cl^--salts in Populus euphratica. Acta Botanica Sinica, 45, 561-566.
[3]	Chen YN (陈亚宁), Chen YP (陈亚鹏), Li WH (李卫红), Zhang HF (张宏峰) (2003). Response of ABA content of Populus euphratica to groundwater depth changes in lower Tarim River. Chinese Science Bulletin (科学通报), 48, 958-961. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[4]	Chen YN, Wang Q, Ruan X, Li WH, Chen YP (2004). Physiological response of Populus euphratica to artificial water-recharge of the lower reaches of Tarim River. Acta Botanica Sinica, 46, 1393-1401.
[5]	Chen YN, Li WH, Chen YP, Zhang HF (2004). Physiological response of natural plants to the change of groundwater level in the lower reaches of Tarim River, Xinjiang. Progress in Natural Science, 14, 975-983.
[6]	Chen YN, Zilliacus H, Li WH, Zhang HF, Chen YP (2006). Groundwater lever affects plant species diversity along the lower reaches of the Tarim River. Journal of Arid Environments, 66, 231-246.
[7]	Duan YX (段玉玺), Qin J (秦景), He KN (贺康宁), Zhang JH (张进虎), Zhao K (赵奎), Sun Y (孙毅) (2008). A comparative study on the sap flow patterns of Ulmus pumila and Populus alba and their responses in Hedong sandy land. Journal of Desert Research (中国沙漠), 28, 1136-1144. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[8]	Fu AH (付爱红), Chen YN (陈亚宁), Li WH (李卫红), Liu JZ (刘家珍), Xue Y (薛燕) (2004). Analysis on the changes of stems water potential of Populus euphratica in different groundwater level in lower reaches of Tarim River in Xinjiang. Arid Land Geography (干旱区地理), 27, 207-211. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[9]	Hao XM, Chen YN, Li WH (2008). Indicating appropriate groundwater tables for desert river-bank forest at the Tarim River, Xinjiang, China. Environment Monitor Assess, doi: 10.1007/s10661-008-0305-7.
[10]	Hao XM (郝兴明), Chen YN (陈亚宁), Li WH (李卫红) (2007). The relationship between species diversity and groundwater table in the low reaches of the Tarim River, Xinjiang, China. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 27, 4106-4112. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[11]	Hao XM (郝兴明), Chen YN (陈亚宁), Li WH (李卫红), Zhao RF (赵锐锋), Zhu CG (朱成刚) (2008). Response of desert riparian forest vegetation to groundwater depth changes in middle and lower Tarim River. Acta Geographica Sinica (地理学报), 63, 1123-1130. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[12]	He B (何斌), Li WH (李卫红), Chen YJ (陈永金), Xu CC (徐长春), Yuan SF (袁素芬) (2007). Variation of sap flow and stem diameter of Populus euphratica under drought stress―a case study along Yingsu section. Acta Botanica Boreali-Occidentalia Sinica (西北植物学报), 27, 315-320. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[13]	Horton JL, Kolb TE, Hart SC (2001a). Responses of riparian trees to interannual variation in ground water depth in a semi-arid driver basin. Plant, Cell & Environment, 24, 293-304.
[14]	Horton JL, Thoums EK, Stephen CH (2001b). Physiological response to ground water depth varies among species and with river flow regulation. Ecological Applications, 11, 1046-1059. DOI URL
[15]	Ke YZ (柯裕州), Zhou JX (周金星), Lu N (卢楠), Zhang XD (张旭东), Sun QX (孙启祥) (2009). Effects of salinity on photosynthetic physiology and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of mulberry (Morus alba) seedlings. Forest Research (林业科学研究), 22, 200-206. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[16]	Kranjcec J, Mahoney JM, Root SB (1998). The responses of three riparian cotton wood species to water table decline. Forest Ecology and Management, 110, 77-87. DOI URL
[17]	Li XM (李小明), Zhang XM (张希明) (2003). Water condition and restoration of natural vegetation in the southern margin of the Taklimakan Desert. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 23, 1449-1453. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[18]	Liu HP (刘和平), Zhao SZ (赵树忠), Bai YZ (白永忠), Wang YJ (王毅军), Jian YW (菅有旺) (2008). Populus euphratica planting technology in Alkaline soil. Inner Mongolia Forestry (内蒙古林业), (4), 15. (in Chinese)
[19]	Liu JZ, Chen YN, Chen YJ, Zhang N, Li WH (2005). Degradation of Populus euphratica community in the lower reaches of the Tarim River, Xinjiang, China. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 17, 740-747.
[20]	Liu JZ (刘家珍), Chen YN (陈亚宁), Li WH (李卫红), Chen YJ (陈永金) (2006). The process and mechanism of degradation of desert riparian vegetation. Acta Geographica Sinica (地理学报), 61, 946-956. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[21]	Liu XJ (刘晓静), Zhao P (赵平), Cai XA (蔡锡安), Rao XQ (饶兴权), Zeng XP (曾小平) (2009). Variations of whole tree transpiration at different diameter classes in Acacia mangium during dry and wet seasons. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 29, 619-626. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[22]	Qiu LZ (裘丽珍), Huang YJ (黄有军), Huang JQ (黄坚钦), Xia GH (夏国华), Gong N (龚宁) (2006). Comparative study on vegetal and physiological characteristics of different salt-tolerant plants under salt stress. Journal of Zhejiang University (Agriculture & Life Sciences) 浙江大学学报(农业与生命科学版)), 32, 420-427. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[23]	Rodriguez II (2000). Ecohydrology: a hydrologic perspective of climate soil vegetation dynamics. Water Resources Research, 36, 3-9.
[24]	Ruan X, Wang Q, Chen YN, Li WH (2007). Physiological response of riparian plants to watering in hyper-arid areas of Tarim River, China. Frontiers of Biology in China, 2, 54-61.
[25]	Tang LS (唐立松), Zhang JL (张建龙), Li Y (李彦), Zhou B (周斌) (2005). Response of plants to the change of soil moisture content and the controlled alternative partial root-zone irrigation. Arid Zone Research (干旱区研究), 22, 90-93. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[26]	Wang H (王蕙), Zhao WZ (赵文智), Chang XX (常学向) (2007). Spatial variability of soil moisture and vegetation in desert oasis ecotone in the middle reaches of Heihe River Basin. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 27, 1731-1739. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[27]	Wullschleger SD, Meinzer FC, Vertssy RA (1998). A review of whole-plant water use studies in trees. Tree Physiology, 18, 499-517. DOI URL PMID
[28]	Xia GM, Kang SZ, Li FS, Zhang JH, Zhou QY (2008). Diurnal and seasonal variations of sap flow of Caragana korshinskii in the arid desert region of north-west China. Hydrological Processes, 22, 1197-1205.
[29]	Xie TT (解婷婷), Zhang XM (张希明), Liang SM (梁少民), Shan LS (单立山), Yang XL (杨小林), Hua YH (花永辉) (2008a). Effects of different irrigations on the water physiological characteristics of Haloxylon ammodendron in Taklimakan Desert hinterland. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 19, 711-716. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[30]	Xie TT (解婷婷), Zhang XM (张希明), Shan LS (单立山), Liang SM (梁少民), Yang XL (杨小林) (2008b). Effect of irrigation volume on the water physiological characters and growth of Tamarix ramosissima shelter belts along the Tarim Desert highway. Arid Zone Research (干旱区研究), 25, 802-807. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[31]	Xu HL (徐海量), Song YD (宋郁东), Wang Q (王强), Ai Mti (艾合买提) (2004). The effect of groundwater level on vegetation in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River, Xinjiang, China. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica (植物生态学报), 28, 400-405. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[32]	Xu HL (徐海量), Li JM (李吉玫), Ye M (叶茂), Zhang QQ (张青青) (2008). The characteristics of the soil seed banks follow different groundwater depth in the lower reaches of Tarim River. Acta Prataculturae Sinica (草业学报), 17, 111-118. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[33]	Yuan XH (袁小环), Wu JY (武菊英), Sun L (孙璐), Duan LS (段留生), Wang JZ (王建中) (2008). Evapotranspiration of Dianthus chinensis at different irrigation levels. Journal of Beijing Forestry University (北京林业大学学报), 30, 77-81. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[34]	Zhang XY (张小由), Gong JD (龚家栋), Zhou MX (周茅先), Si JH (司建华) (2004). Spatial and temporal characteristics of stem sap flow of Populus euphratica. Journal of Desert Research (中国沙漠), 24, 489-492. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[35]	Zhang YX (张云霞), Shi Y (石勇), Wang RG (王瑞刚), Chen SL (陈少良), Li NY (李妮亚), Shao J (邵杰), Zhang H (张华), Li J (李静), Sun J (孙健) (2008). Effects of ABA and CaM on leaf gas exchange of Populus euphratica in the process of initial salinity. Scientia Silvae Sinicae (林业科学), 44, 57-64. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[36]	Zhao M (赵明), Guo ZZ (郭志中), Wang YL (王耀琳), Li AD (李爱德), Zhang DK (张德魁), Jia BQ (贾宝全) (2003). Study on the transpiration characteristics of 10 species of plants under the different depths of groundwater level. Arid Zone Research (干旱区研究), 20, 286-291. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[37]	Zhao WZ (赵文智), Liu H (刘鹄) (2006). Recent advances in desert vegetation response to groundwater table changes. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 26, 2702-2708. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[38]	Zhong HP (钟华平), Liu H (刘恒), Wang Y (王义), Tuo Y (托娅), Geng LH (耿雷华), Yan ZJ (颜志俊) (2002). Relationship between Ejina oasis and water resources in the lower Heihe River Basin. Advances in Water Science (水科学进展), 13, 223-228. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[39]	Zhou HH (周洪华), Chen YN (陈亚宁), Li WH (李卫红), Chen YP (陈亚鹏) (2008). Characterization of photosynthesis of Populus euphratica Oliv and its microclimate explanation in lower Tarim River. Journal of Desert Research (中国沙漠), 28, 665-672. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[40]	Zhou XM (周孝明), Chen YN (陈亚宁), Li WH (李卫红), He B (何斌), Hao XM (郝兴明) (2008). Study of sap flow in stem of Populus euphratica in lower reaches of Tarim River. Journal of Desert Research (中国沙漠), 28, 673-678. (in Chinese with English abstract)