Using branch and basal trunk sap flow measurements to estimate whole-plant water capacitance: Comment on Burgess and Dawson (2008)
Sap flow sensors are uniquely able to continuously monitor whole tree physiology. Recently, Burgess and Dawson (Burgess SSO, Dawson TE, Plant Soil 305:5-13, 2008) urged caution in using sap flow probes to estimate water storage use in trees. Here we respond to three criticisms raised there: (1) Samp...
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| Autores principales: | , , , , |
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| Formato: | JOUR |
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| Acceso en línea: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12110/paper_0032079X_v315_n1-2_p315_Phillips |
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| Sumario: | Sap flow sensors are uniquely able to continuously monitor whole tree physiology. Recently, Burgess and Dawson (Burgess SSO, Dawson TE, Plant Soil 305:5-13, 2008) urged caution in using sap flow probes to estimate water storage use in trees. Here we respond to three criticisms raised there: (1) Sampling: that tree water storage, estimated from branch-bole sap flow lags, was compromised by unaccounted variation in branch position and orientation; (2) Instrumentation: that sap flow sensor response times may be sensor artefacts rather than manifestations of tree water storage; and (3) Theory: that tree water storage estimates are based on a faulty concept of lag phenomena in sap flow that persists in the literature. We agree with the need for caution in sap flow-based estimates of plant water storage, but here correct flaws in arguments and representations of studies presented in Burgess and Dawson (Burgess SSO, Dawson TE, Plant Soil 305:5-13, 2008). © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V. |
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