Optimum vegetation characteristics, assimilation, and transpiration during a dry season: 2. Model evaluation

Abstract

In a companion paper, a conceptual model was presented to predict two important vegetation parameters from climatic constraints in water limited conditions, notably photosynthetic capacity and internal carbon dioxide concentration. In this study, the model is evaluated using data of four experimental forest plots in sub‐Mediterranean Slovenia which were selected for their topography induced differences in climate and contrasting vegetation characteristics. Data were collected during a regular (2004) and an exceptionally dry year (2003). Measurements showed that photosynthetic capacity decreases with vapor pressure deficit, and internal carbon dioxide concentration correlates positively with available water. Variations in soil water storage at the start of the dry season and vapor pressure deficit during the dry season are responsible for a large part of these differences. Winter precipitation has a large effect on the shape of the seasonal course of transpiration during the following season. The model explained observed differences among sites and years in photosynthetic capacity and the seasonal cycle of transpiration. Although the magnitude of calculated optimum internal carbon dioxide concentrations agreed with observations, the model could not explain observed differences in internal carbon dioxide concentration or the correlation between internal carbon dioxide concentration and water availability. The optimality hypothesis, despite its limitations, can be used to predict the seasonal cycle of transpiration.