Species-specific partitioning of soil water resources in an old-growth Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest.

F.C. Meinzer; J.M. Warren; J.R. Brooks

doi:10.1093/treephys/27.6.871

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Species-specific partitioning of soil water resources in an old-growth Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

F.C. Meinzer, J.M. Warren, J.R. Brooks

Year:

2007

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/27.6.871

Source:

Tree Physiology. 27: 871-880

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Abstract

We studied seasonal courses of soil water utilization in a 450-year-old Pseudotsuga menziesii/Tsuga heterophylla forest. Mean root area in the upper 60 cm of soil was significantly greater in the vicinity of T. heterophylla trees. However, seasonal water extraction on a root area basis was significantly greater near P. menziesii trees at all depths between 20 and 60 cm, leading to significantly lower water storage in the upper 60 cm of soil near P. menziesii trees at the end of the summer dry season. The results provide information on functional traits relevant for understanding the ecological distributions of the two species and have implications for spatial variability of processes such as soil respiration and nutrient cycling.

Keywords

Pseudotsuga menziesii, root distribution, sap flow, transpiration, Tsuga heterophylla

Citation

Meinzer, F.C.; Warren, J.M.; Brooks, J.R. 2007. Species-specific partitioning of soil water resources in an old-growth Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest. Tree Physiology. 27: 871-880