Transpiration and stomatal conductance across a steep climate gradient in the southern Rocky Mountains

Abstract

AbstractTranspiration (E) is regulated over short time periods by stomatal conductance (Gs) and over multi‐year periods by tree‐ and stand‐structural factors such as leaf area, height and density, with upper limits ultimately set by climate. We tested the hypothesis that tree structure, stand structure and Gs together regulate E per ground area (Eg) within climatic limits using three sites located across a steep climatic gradient: a low‐elevation Juniperus woodland, a mid‐elevation Pinus forest and a high‐elevation Picea forest. We measured leaf area : sapwood area ratio (Al : As), height and ecosystem sapwood area : ground area ratio (As : Ag) to assess long‐term structural adjustments, tree‐ring carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) to assess seasonal gas exchange, and whole‐tree E and Gs to assess short‐term regulation. We used a hydraulic model based on Darcy's law to interpret the interactive regulation of Gs and Eg. Common allometric dependencies were found only in the relationship of sapwood area to diameter for pine and spruce; there were strong site differences for allometric relationships of sapwood area to basal area, Al : As and As : Ag. On a sapwood area basis, E decreased with increasing elevation, but this pattern was reversed when E was scaled to the crown using Al : As. Eg was controlled largely by As : Ag, and both Eg and Gs declined from high‐ to low‐elevation sites. Observation‐model comparisons of Eg, Gs and δ13C were strongest using the hydraulic model parameterized with precipitation, vapour pressure deficit, Al : As, height, and As : Ag, supporting the concept that climate, Gs, tree‐ and stand‐structure interact to regulate Eg. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.