Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Canopy carbon gain and water use: Analysis of old-growth conifers in the Pacific Northwest

Publication ,  Journal Article
Winner, WE; Thomas, SC; Berry, JA; Bond, BJ; Cooper, CE; Hinckley, TM; Ehleringer, JR; Fessenden, JE; Lamb, B; McCarthy, S; McDowell, NG ...
Published in: Ecosystems
January 1, 2004

This report summarizes our current knowledge of leaf-level physiological processes that regulate carbon gain and water loss of the dominant tree species in an old-growth forest at the Wind River Canopy Crane Research Facility. Analysis includes measurements of photosynthesis, respiration, stomatal conductance, water potential, stable carbon isotope values, and biogenic hydrocarbon emissions from Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), and western red cedar (Thuja plicata). Leaf-level information is used to scale fluxes up to the canopy to estimate gross primary production using a physiology-based process model. Both light-saturated and in situ photosynthesis exhibit pronounced vertical gradients through the canopy, but are consistently highest in Douglas-fir, intermediate in western hemlock, and lowest in western red cedar. Net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance are strongly dependent on vapor-pressure deficit in Douglas-fir, and decline through the course of a seasonal drought. Foliar respiration is similar for Douglas-fir and western hemlock, and lowest for western red cedar. Water-use efficiency varied with species and tree height, as indexed using stable carbon isotopes values for foliage. Leaf water potential is most negative for Douglas-fir and similar for western hemlock and western red cedar. Terpene fluxes from foliage equal approximately 1 % of the net carbon loss from the forest. Modeled estimates based on physiological measurements show gross primary productivity (GPP) to be about 22 Mg C m-2 y-1. Physiological studies will be necessary to further refine estimates of stand-level carbon balance and to make long-term predictions of changes in carbon balance due to changes in forest structure, species composition, and climate.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Ecosystems

DOI

ISSN

1432-9840

Publication Date

January 1, 2004

Volume

7

Issue

5

Start / End Page

482 / 497

Related Subject Headings

  • Ecology
  • 3109 Zoology
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Winner, W. E., Thomas, S. C., Berry, J. A., Bond, B. J., Cooper, C. E., Hinckley, T. M., … Williams, M. (2004). Canopy carbon gain and water use: Analysis of old-growth conifers in the Pacific Northwest. Ecosystems, 7(5), 482–497. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-004-0139-2
Winner, W. E., S. C. Thomas, J. A. Berry, B. J. Bond, C. E. Cooper, T. M. Hinckley, J. R. Ehleringer, et al. “Canopy carbon gain and water use: Analysis of old-growth conifers in the Pacific Northwest.” Ecosystems 7, no. 5 (January 1, 2004): 482–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-004-0139-2.
Winner WE, Thomas SC, Berry JA, Bond BJ, Cooper CE, Hinckley TM, et al. Canopy carbon gain and water use: Analysis of old-growth conifers in the Pacific Northwest. Ecosystems. 2004 Jan 1;7(5):482–97.
Winner, W. E., et al. “Canopy carbon gain and water use: Analysis of old-growth conifers in the Pacific Northwest.” Ecosystems, vol. 7, no. 5, Jan. 2004, pp. 482–97. Scopus, doi:10.1007/s10021-004-0139-2.
Winner WE, Thomas SC, Berry JA, Bond BJ, Cooper CE, Hinckley TM, Ehleringer JR, Fessenden JE, Lamb B, McCarthy S, McDowell NG, Phillips N, Williams M. Canopy carbon gain and water use: Analysis of old-growth conifers in the Pacific Northwest. Ecosystems. 2004 Jan 1;7(5):482–497.
Journal cover image

Published In

Ecosystems

DOI

ISSN

1432-9840

Publication Date

January 1, 2004

Volume

7

Issue

5

Start / End Page

482 / 497

Related Subject Headings

  • Ecology
  • 3109 Zoology
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences