Transpiration in Quercus suber trees under shallow water table conditions: the role of soil and groundwater

摘要: Water is one of the major environmental factors limiting plant growth and survival in Mediterranean region. Quercus suber L. woodlands occupy vast areas Iberian Peninsula, frequently under shallow water table conditions. The relative magnitude soil groundwater uptake to supply transpiration not easy evaluate these circumstances. We recently developed a conceptual framework for functioning root system Q. that simulates well tree transpiration, based on two types behaviour: connected deep connected. Although this significantly improved knowledge functional traits suber, approach has limitation requiring sap flow data, which are seldom available. In work, we present alternative methodologies assess if trees estimate contributions transpiration. provide evidence unrestricted access solely meteorological, stem leaf potential data. Using mass balance approach, estimated yearly transpiration: 69.7% 30.3%, respectively. Groundwater became dominant dry summer: 73.2% Results reproduce extremely those derived from modelling. Because its simplicity both formulation data requirements, our potentially liable be adapted other groundwater-dependent oak sites, where interactions between land use resources may relevant. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.