Contrasting the soil-plant hydraulics of beech and spruce by linking root water uptake to transpiration dynamics.

ABSTRACT: Tree water status is mainly determined by the amount of water taken up from roots and lost through leaves by transpiration. Variations in transpiration and stomatal conductance are often related to atmospheric conditions and leaf water potential. Yet, few experimental datasets exist that enable to relate leaf water potential, transpiration dynamics and temporal variation of root water uptake from different depths during soil drying. Here we explored the soil-plant hydraulic system using field measurements of water potentials and fluxes in soils, roots, stems and leaves of beech (Fagus sylvatica) and spruce (Picea abies) trees. Spruce maintained less negative water potentials than beech during soil drying, reflecting a more stringent stomatal control. While root water uptake depths were sim

SUBMITTER: Martinetti S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11761973 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature