Sapwood
includes the water conducting part of the stem which transports water and
minerals from roots to leaves. Studies using sap flow gauges have to determine
the area of the sapwood in order to scale measured sap flow densities to the
tree or stand level. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship
between sapwood area at breast height and other tree parameters which are easy
to measure of the montane Mediterranean conifer Cedrus libani, including a total number of 92 study trees of
different size and age. The study was conducted at four different stands
situated between 1000 and 2000 m altitude in the Elmalı Cedar Research Forest
of Antalya, SW-Turkey. Sapwood area of the sample trees was determined by
extracting two tree cores from opposite directions of the stem using an
increment borer and by visually assessing the wet part of the core. Parameters
measured besides sapwood area were diameter at breast height, stem radius
without bark, sapwood depth, tree basal area, tree height, tree age, and projected
crown area. Furthermore, at each stand, leaf area index (LAI) was determined
using hemispherical photographs of the forest canopy. The most significant
relationship was found between stem radius without bark and sapwood area (R2:
0.94) followed by tree basal area and sapwood area (R2: 0.90).
Although it was the second best predictor, tree basal area should be used to
estimate sapwood area when estimating stand transpiration since it can be
measured faster and without giving damage to the tree. Mean sapwood area and mean
site-specific LAI showed a significant positive correlation. The findings of
this study can be used in ecophysiological studies when transpiration rates of C. libani are measured using sap flow
gauges.
Primary Language | English |
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Subjects | Structural Biology, Forest Industry Engineering |
Journal Section | Research Articles |
Authors | |
Publication Date | March 25, 2018 |
Acceptance Date | March 20, 2018 |
Published in Issue | Year 2018 Volume: 2 Issue: 1 |