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Different transpiration and growth patterns of the black locust plantation and natural oak forest on China's Loess Plateau
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  • Sheng Du,
  • Jinlin Lyu,
  • Guoqing Li,
  • Kyoichi Otsuki,
  • Norikazu Yamanaka,
  • Yuchao Wang,
  • Ming Yue
Sheng Du
Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University

Corresponding Author:shengdu@ms.iswc.ac.cn

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Jinlin Lyu
Xi’an Botanical Garden of Shaanxi Province (Institute of Botany of Shaanxi Province
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Guoqing Li
Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University
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Kyoichi Otsuki
Kyushu University
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Norikazu Yamanaka
Arid Land Research Center
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Yuchao Wang
Xi’an Botanical Garden of Shaanxi Province (Institute of Botany of Shaanxi Province
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Ming Yue
Xi’an Botanical Garden of Shaanxi Province (Institute of Botany of Shaanxi Province
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Abstract

Restoration of natural secondary forests and afforestation of introduced tree species are major effective measures for revegetation. The semi-arid Loess Plateau region, characterized by fragile ecosystems and severe soil erosion, is a key area for ecological restoration and protection in China. To illustrate water use characteristics and adaptation to drought in the main forests in this area, we monitored the xylem sap flow of two typical forest communities, a secondary natural forest dominated by oak ( Quercus liaotungensis) and a pure plantation of black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia), during 2011‒2019 using Granier-type thermal dissipation probes. Solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, and soil water content were measured simultaneously. Throughout the whole study period, the mean diameter at breast height and total sapwood area increased by 4.5 cm and 1.10 m 2 ha -1 in the oak forest and by 1.0 cm and 0.22 m 2 ha -1, respectively, in the black locust plantation. The monthly stand transpiration was jointly determined by phenological and meteorological factors. At the annual timescale, transpiration of the oak stand was significantly correlated with potential evapotranspiration and rainfall in the previous year, whereas a significant positive relationship was detected between stand transpiration and soil water content in the black locust stand. The analyses of differences between dry and wet years showed that, the oak forest exhibited significantly different parameters in the regression analysis of stand transpiration to vapor pressure deficit. While only one parameter was clearly distinct in the black locust plantation, suggesting that its transpiration status did not fully recover even in wet years. The management of black locust plantations with weakened growth conditions should be adjusted under prolonged drought conditions. In contrast, oak forest can maintain the water balance and stable growth by efficiently controlling stomatal behavior.
31 Oct 2022Submitted to Ecohydrology
31 Oct 2022Submission Checks Completed
31 Oct 2022Assigned to Editor
10 Nov 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
06 Dec 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
31 Dec 20221st Revision Received
31 Dec 2022Submission Checks Completed
31 Dec 2022Assigned to Editor
31 Dec 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
31 Dec 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
18 Jan 2023Editorial Decision: Accept