title: Drought limitations to leaf-level gas exchange: results from a model linking stomatal optimization and cohesion-tension theory.
abstract: We merge concepts from stomatal optimization theory and cohesion-tension theory to examine the dynamics of three mechanisms that are potentially limiting to leaf-level gas exchange in trees during drought: (1) a 'demand limitation' driven by an assumption of optimal stomatal functioning; (2) 'hydraulic limitation' of water movement from the roots to the leaves; and (3) 'non-stomatal' limitations imposed by declining leaf water status within the leaf. Model results suggest that species-specific 'economics' of stomatal behaviour may play an important role in differentiating species along the continuum of isohydric to anisohydric behaviour; specifically, we show that non-stomatal and demand limitations may reduce stomatal conductance and increase leaf water potential, promoting wide safety margins characteristic of isohydric species. We used model results to develop a diagnostic framework to identify the most likely limiting mechanism to stomatal functioning during drought and showed that many of those features were commonly observed in field observations of tree water use dynamics. Direct comparisons of modelled and measured stomatal conductance further indicated that non-stomatal and demand limitations reproduced observed patterns of tree water use well for an isohydric species but that a hydraulic limitation likely applies in the case of an anisohydric species.
authors.affiliation: School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Novick
authors.affiliation: USDA Forest Service, Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, Otto, NC, 28734, USA.
authors.forename: Chelcy F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Miniat
authors.affiliation: USDA Forest Service - Southern Research Station - Center for Integrated Forest Science. North Carolina State University, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, Raleigh, NC, 27695-8008, USA.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vose
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D055864:Droughts; D005740:Gases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D054046:Plant Stomata / Q000502:physiology*; D018526:Plant Transpiration / Q000502:physiology; D013045:Species Specificity; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D014867:Water
keywords: anisohydric; capacitance; isohydric; stomatal conductance; transpiration; water use efficiency