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Quantifying differences in thermal dissipation probe calibrations for Eucalyptus globulus species and E. nitens × globulus hybrid

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Calibration of sap flux density equations for Eucalytus is required when using sapflow thermal dissipation probes to avoid large underestimations of transpiration and water use.

Abstract

Eucalyptus plantations are expanding in response to global wood demand but are raising concerns about their impacts on water supplies. Sustainable plantation management in areas with water conflicts will require accurate assessments of tree and stand water use. Thermal dissipation probes have been used to estimate tree water use, but recent work suggests that species-specific calibrations may be required to obtain accurate results. In this study, we quantified sap flux density (SFD) in 2-year-old Eucalyptus globulus Labill (Eg) and E. nitens × globulus (Eng) species using the thermal dissipation method developed by Granier. For each species we compared the original Granier equation with species-specific calibrations using whole tree potometers over a 36-h period. Our results showed that on average, Granier’s original equation significantly underestimated SFD in both species, and when scaled to the stand level, tree transpiration (Ec) was significantly lower compared to onsite calibrations. The Granier method also underestimated nocturnal transpiration for both genotypes. Measured calibration coefficients were similar and not statistically different between Eg and Eng. These results highlight the importance of species-specific calibrations using thermal dissipation probes for Eucalyptus species to improve stand water use estimates and inferences about ecological impacts.

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Acknowledgements

We also would like to acknowledge forest engineers Mr. Juan Espinosa, Leonardo Muñoz and Yuri Burgos for their dedication and help during the field campaigns. We gratefully acknowledge the genetic material, study sites and logistic support provided by Forestal Celco and Forestal Mininco Forest Companies. We appreciate the scientific support of the Departamento de Silvicultura, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción and the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station. Funding for this work was provided by the Chilean agency Fondo de Fomento al Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico Grant FONDEF D11i1161 for the project “Eucahydro: Tools for early Eucalyptus genotypes selection on water use, water use efficiency and drought resistance”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cooperativa de Productividad Forestal, Departamento de Silvicultura, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción, Victoria 631, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile

    Rafael A. Rubilar

  2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Res. Station, 240 West Prospect Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA

    Robert M. Hubbard

  3. Centro Tecnológico del Alamo, Universidad de Talca, 2 Norte 685, Talca, Chile

    Marco A. Yañez

  4. Programa de Mejoramiento Genético, Forestal Mininco S.A., Avenida Alemania 751, Los Angeles, Chile

    Alex M. Medina

  5. Plant Production and Nursery Program, Forestal Celco S.A., Camino a Putú s/n Km 71, Constitución, Chile

    Hector E. Valenzuela

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  1. Rafael A. Rubilar
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Correspondence to Rafael A. Rubilar.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Funding for this work was provided by the Chilean agency “Fondo de Fomento al Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico” Grant FONDEF D11i1161 Granted to Dr. Rafael Rubilar.

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Communicated by T. Roetzer.

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Rubilar, R.A., Hubbard, R.M., Yañez, M.A. et al. Quantifying differences in thermal dissipation probe calibrations for Eucalyptus globulus species and E. nitens × globulus hybrid. Trees 31, 1263–1270 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-017-1545-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-017-1545-3

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