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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2024, Vol. 60 ›› Issue (8): 95-108.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20240136

• Research papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Biophysical Control of Water Physiological Processes in Poplar under Various Nighttime Environmental Stability Conditions

Yijun Wang1,Lixin Chen1,3,Zuosinan Chen1,2,Zhiqiang Zhang1,3,4,*(),Hang Xu1,Fei Yao5,Shengnan Chen1   

  1. 1. College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University Beijing 100083
    2. School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijimg Forestry University Beijing 100083
    3. Shanxi Jixian National Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station Linfen 042299
    4. Key Laboratory of Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Combating, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Beijing 100083
    5. Gongqing Forest Farm Beijing 101300
  • Received:2024-03-11 Online:2024-08-25 Published:2024-09-03
  • Contact: Zhiqiang Zhang E-mail:zhqzhang@bjfu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective: In the context to the global trend of decreasing surface wind speeds, known as "atmospheric stilling", differences in diurnal environmental stability primarily driven by vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and wind speed (v) are becoming increasingly pronounced. However, the biophysical control mechanisms of tree water physiological processes under different environmental stability conditions remain unclear. In this study, an ecological system of poplar plantations was targeted and the biophysical regulation mechanisms of environmental factors and endogenous circadian rhythms on leaf water physiology and trunk sap flow in trees were investigated. This study aims to explore the response patterns and influencing factors of tree water-related physiological processes, such as leaf stomatal conductance, leaf-level transpiration rate, leaf water potential, and trunk sap flow, under different nighttime environmental conditions. Method: The research was conducted in a Populus × euramericana plantation along the Chaobai River in Shunyi District, Beijing. During the growing season, gas exchange at the leaf-level and leaf water potential were measured continuously over seven clear day-night cycles on three sample trees. Simultaneously, sap flux density in the sample trees was monitored using heat diffusion probe technology, with concurrent recording changes in environmental factor, and the impact of diurnal rhythms was quantified using hours after dusk. Result: 1) Nighttime stomatal opening was observed, with synchronized occurrences of leaf transpiration and sap flux. Under stable nocturnal conditions (v=0 and ΔVPD ≤0.1 kPa), tree water physiological indicators were primarily influenced by air and soil temperatures (P<0.05), albeit relatively weak. There was a significant negative correlation between nocturnal sap flux and leaf stomatal conductance (P<0.01), indicating that sap flux was mainly used for stem water replenishment. 2) Under fluctuating nighttime environmental conditions (v>0 or ΔVPD ≥0.1 kPa), leaf stomatal conductance and sap flux density were positively regulated by air temperature (Ta) and VPD, and negatively correlated with relative humidity (RH), with Ta being the dominant factor. Leaf water potential was mainly influenced by Ta, soil water content (SWC), and soil temperature (ST). Nighttime sap flux density showed significant positive correlations with leaf stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water potential (R2=0.67). 3) Daytime environmental conditions fluctuated strongly, showing a significantly higher correlation between leaf water physiological indicators and sap flux density compared to nighttime. However, there was a negative correlation between leaf stomatal conductance and VPD, and there was a decoupling phenomenon between stomatal conductance and sap flux density (P=0.078). 4) The impact of the circadian rhythm, as characterized by hours after dusk, varied with changes in nighttime environmental stability. Under stable nocturnal conditions, duration after dusk significantly affected leaf stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, and transpiration (P<0.01). Under fluctuating nocturnal conditions, the influence of this factor on leaf water physiological indicators were reduced, with no significant impact on stomatal conductance and leaf water potential (P1=0.066, P2=0.08), indicating that nocturnal environmental fluctuations affected the manner and extent to which the circadian rhythm influenced tree water-related physiological processes. Conclusion: Under varying nighttime environmental stability conditions, there are significant differences in the biophysical processes and regulatory mechanisms of tree water physiology. When environmental fluctuations are minimal, tree water physiology processes are regulated by circadian rhythms, forming a pronounced nocturnal pattern. At this time, its impact on plant hydration should be considered. This research emphasizes the pivotal role of circadian rhythms in controlling forest water usage and recommends formulating irrigation strategies based on temporal factors and environmental stability to optimize water management and adapt to climate change. Furthermore, this study provides theoretical support for understanding forest hydrological cycles and assessing the adaptability of riparian plantations to climate change.

Key words: environmental stability, diurnal differences, sap flow, leaf water physiology, diurnal rhythms

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