Measured and predicted changes in tree and stand water use following high-intensity thinning of an 8-year-old Eucalyptus nitens plantation.
We investigated changes in the pattern of water use of an 8-year-old Eucalyptus nitens (Deane and Maiden) Maiden plantation soon after thinning. Sap flow sensors using heat pulse technology were deployed across three stands thinned to a final density of 100, 250 or 600 trees ha-1 plus an unthinned control (1250 trees ha-1). Changes in the relationship between tree size and daily water use were measured for 4 to 7 months after thinning. Thinning had no effect on sapwood water content. The increase in tree water use as a result of thinning was driven largely by significant changes in the radial pattern of sap velocity through the sapwood. The use of a canopy fraction factor in the Penman-Monteith equation to account for discontinuous canopies showed promise as a simple and effective method of scaling the model to predict transpiration from thinned plantations.
Swedish University for Agricultural Science, Department of Production Ecology, P.O. Box 7042, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. Jane.Medhurst@spek.slu.se
Jane L
JL
Medhurst
Michael
M
Battaglia
Christopher L
CL
Beadle
D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D005052:Eucalyptus / Q000502:physiology*; D016468:Forestry; D018526:Plant Transpiration / Q000502:physiology; D013648:Tasmania; D014197:Trees / Q000502:physiology*; D014867:Water / Q000502:physiology
D014867:Water