Response of Quercus pyrenaica (melojo oak) to soil water deficit: a case study in Spain

In the present study, carried out from 2004 to 2006, leaf and stem water potential and stem water content were measured in Quercus pyrenaica Willd. individuals in an experimental forested catchment located in Central Western Spain under Mediterranean subhumid conditions. These indicators of tree wat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of forest research 2008-09, Vol.127 (5), p.369-378
Main Authors: Hernández-Santana, Virginia, Martínez-Fernández, José, Morán, Carlos, Cano, Ana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Drought
Forest soils
Forestry
Geochemistry
Leaves
Life Sciences
Moisture content
Original Paper
Plant Ecology
Plant Sciences
Quercus pyrenaica
Seasonal variations
Soil moisture
Soil stresses
Soil water
Stems
Summer
Trees
Water
Water content
Water deficit
Water depth
Water potential
Water stress
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Summary:In the present study, carried out from 2004 to 2006, leaf and stem water potential and stem water content were measured in Quercus pyrenaica Willd. individuals in an experimental forested catchment located in Central Western Spain under Mediterranean subhumid conditions. These indicators of tree water status were compared with soil moisture contents measured in the same area from 0 to 1 m depth and from 0 to 2.5 m depth during the last year of the study. The objectives were to clarify the seasonal and year-to-year variations in tree water status, to examine applicability of stem water content as useful water stress indicator and to discuss how deep soil water and root uptake contribute to survival during the long dry summer. Seasonal variations in the tree variables measured revealed a typical pattern, with maximum values at the end of spring followed by a progressive decline during the summer drought in response to the decrease in soil water content (almost exhausted at 0-100 cm depth). The relatively high values and the non-significant variation in predawn leaf water potentials (except for 2005, which was exceptionally dry) indicate that no clear water stress situations occurred. This may be explained in terms of a progressive absorption of water from the deeper layers. The results also suggest that the stem water content is a more sensitive indicator of long-term water limitation than the other variables measured.
ISSN:1612-4669
1612-4677
DOI:10.1007/s10342-008-0214-x