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Toward using δ13C of ecosystem respiration to monitor canopy physiology in complex terrain

Oecologia volume 158, pages 399–410 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

In 2005 and 2006, air samples were collected at the base of a Douglas-fir watershed to monitor seasonal changes in the δ13CO2 of ecosystem respiration (δ13CER). The goals of this study were to determine whether variations in δ13CER correlated with environmental variables and could be used to predict expected variations in canopy-average stomatal conductance (G s). Changes in δ13CER correlated weakly with changes in vapor pressure deficit (VPD) measured 0 and 3–7 days earlier and significantly with soil matric potential (ψm) (P value <0.02) measured on the same day. Midday G s was estimated using sapflow measurements (heat-dissipation method) at four plots located at different elevations within the watershed. Values of midday G s from 0 and 3–7 days earlier were correlated with δ13CER, with the 5-day lag being significant (P value <0.05). To examine direct relationships between δ13CER and recent G s, we used models relating isotope discrimination to stomatal conductance and photosynthetic capacity at the leaf level to estimate values of stomatal conductance (“G s–I”) that would be expected if respired CO2 were derived entirely from recent photosynthate. We compared these values with estimates of G s using direct measurement of transpiration at multiple locations in the watershed. Considering that the approach based on isotopes considers only the effect of photosynthetic discrimination on δ13CER, the magnitude and range in the two values were surprisingly similar. We conclude that: (1) δ13CER is sensitive to variations in weather, and (2) δ13CER potentially could be used to directly monitor average, basin-wide variations in G s in complex terrain if further research improves understanding of how δ13CER is influenced by post-assimilation fractionation processes.

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Acknowledgments

This paper is dedicated to the memory of our friend, colleague and mentor, Elizabeth W. Sulzman, who taught us to confront challenges energetically and embrace learning enthusiastically. Without Elizabeth, our world is a little less bright. Her energy, vibrancy, and generosity are truly missed. We thank J. Moreau, T. Cryer, A. Padilla, J. Mandrick, and C. Czarnomski for their help with site construction, fieldwork, and data collection; A. Schauer for help with data logger programming; and C. Tarasoff for her helpful comments on the manuscript. We especially wish to thank the two anonymous reviewers whose comments greatly improved the paper. Funding for this project was provided by the National Science Foundation (Grants DEB-0132737 and DEB-0416060). Z. Kayler was funded by a NSF EcoInformatics IGERT Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Forest Resources and Environmental Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA

    T. G. Pypker

  2. Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331-5752, USA

    M. Hauck, Z. Kayler, D. Conklin, A. M. Kennedy, H. R. Barnard, C. Phillips & B. J. Bond

  3. Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331-5752, USA

    E. W. Sulzman

  4. College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    M. H. Unsworth & A. C. Mix

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  1. T. G. Pypker
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  2. M. Hauck
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  3. E. W. Sulzman
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  4. M. H. Unsworth
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  7. D. Conklin
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  9. H. R. Barnard
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  10. C. Phillips
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  11. B. J. Bond
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Correspondence to T. G. Pypker.

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Communicated by Russell Monson.

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Pypker, T.G., Hauck, M., Sulzman, E.W. et al. Toward using δ13C of ecosystem respiration to monitor canopy physiology in complex terrain. Oecologia 158, 399–410 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-008-1154-3

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Keywords

  • Douglas-fir
  • Respiration
  • Cold air drainage
  • Soil moisture
  • Vapor pressure deficit

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