Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2013, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (3): 239-247.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1258.2013.00024

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Seasonal dynamics of night-time stem water recharge of Schima superba and its relation to tree architecture and leaf biomass

ZHAO Xiao-Wei, ZHAO Ping*(), ZHU Li-Wei, NI Guang-Yan, ZENG Xiao-Ping, NIU Jun-Feng   

  1. South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
  • Published:2014-02-12
  • Contact: ZHAO Ping

Abstract:

Aims Our objectives are to study the effects of tree architecture and leaf biomass of Schima superba on seasonal variations of nocturnal stem water recharge and to elucidate the compensation mechanism for hydraulic limitation and response to the hydraulic limitation hypothesis proposed by Roan and Yoder.

Methods Night-time sap flow of 15 trees in a S. superba plantation was measured with Granier-type sensors installed in the sapwood at a height of 1.3 m for calculating night-time stem water recharge. Single and multiple linear regressions were performed in data analysis.

Important findings The ending time of nocturnal sap flow was not followed by photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) but was the active time, which was unrelated to diameter at breast height (DBH). Night-time stem water recharge (W) was strongly linearly related with DBH, canopy size, sapwood area and leaf biomass (r = 0.596 to 0.895), except in winter. The linear relationship between W and tree height was found only in spring. W was positively affected by canopy in spring and summer, but by DBH in autumn and by tree height in winter. The results show that tree architecture and leaf biomass had significant effects on W and the degree changed with seasons.

Key words: leaf biomass, night-time stem water recharge, nocturnal sap flow, Schima superba, tree characteristics