<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Long-term water uptake of Douglas-fir and Norway spruce trees, growing in condition of Moravian upland, was studied with aim of comparing sap flow in small roots with flow in stems. Sap flow was measured by the heat field deformation method using multi-point sensors for stems and single-point sensors for roots. Differences between species were found in relationships between sap flow in tree stems and water uptake by roots, suggesting that Douglas-fir is able to take water from deeper soil more efficiently than spruce. This allows Douglas-fir to transpire more water especially during drought and grow faster than spruce. These biological features should be taken into account for future forest species compositions because they may have impact on both, forestry and hydrology.</p></abstract>

Long-term water uptake of Douglas-fir and Norway spruce trees, growing in condition of Moravian upland, was studied with aim of comparing sap flow in small roots with flow in stems. Sap flow was measured by the heat field deformation method using multi-point sensors for stems and single-point sensors for roots. Differences between species were found in relationships between sap flow in tree stems and water uptake by roots, suggesting that Douglas-fir is able to take water from deeper soil more efficiently than spruce. This allows Douglas-fir to transpire more water especially during drought and grow faster than spruce. These biological features should be taken into account for future forest species compositions because they may have impact on both, forestry and hydrology.

Comparative study of long-term water uptake of Norway spruce and Douglas-fir in Moravian upland

Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Zemědělská 3, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

Long-term water uptake of Douglas-fir and Norway spruce trees, growing in condition of Moravian upland, was studied with aim of comparing sap flow in small...

Comparative study of long-term water uptake of Norway spruce and Douglas-fir in Moravian upland

Published Online: Feb 13, 2014

Page range: 1 - 6

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2014-0001

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