Sapflow characteristics of Kandelia obovata and their controlling factors in Zhangjiang estuary, China.

Abstract

In this study, the Grainer's thermal dissipation probe method was applied to monitor sap flux density (SFD) of a mangrove species Kandelia obovata over a period of one year (2010-10-2011-10) in Zhangjiangkou Mangrove National Nature Reserve, Fujian, China. The results showed that both season and diameter class exerted significant effects on the SFD of K. obovata trees. In summer, when the diameter at breast height (DBH) reached 8-10 cm, the highest SFD was found at a depth of 2 cm with a value of 38.21 g·m-2·s-1, which was comparable with those for other mangrove tree species and forested wetland tree species. The mean whole tree transpiration (i.e. daily water use) of all stem size classes demonstrated large changes from winter to summer, increased from 0.14 to 0.19 kg·d-1 in small trees (S, DBH=2-4 cm), from 0.94 to 1.45 kg·d-1 in medium trees (M, DBH=4-8 cm) and from 1.96 to 3.43 kg·d-1 in large ones (L, DBH=8-10 cm). The daily transpiration of K. obovata stand was calculated by summing all size classes, which was then summed up for entire year to estimate annual transpiration of entire K. obovata forest, which was about 100.38 mm, less than 6% of local annual precipitation. Key environmental factors all had significant effects (all P<0.001) on the stand transpiration rate (Es) of K. obovata forest, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) were the main driving factors, which explained 60%-92% seasonal variation of Es. The PAR and VPD had larger effects on the Es in summer than that in winter. In addition, we observed an obvious time lag phenomenon in the relationship between Es and PAR or VPD, which should be taken into account when explaining seasonal variation of Es in K. obovata forest.