Transpiration is generally assumed to be insignificant at night when stomata close in response to the lack of photosynthetically active radiation. However, there is increasing evidence that the stomata of some species remain open at night, which would allow for nighttime transpiration if there were a sufficient environmental driving force. We examined nighttime water use in co-occurring species in a mixed deciduous stand at Harvard Forest, MA, using whole-tree and leaf-level measurements. Diurnal whole-tree water use was monitored continuously with Granier-style sap flux sensors in paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and red maple (Acer rubrum L.). An analysis was conducted in which nighttime water flux could be partitioned between refilling of internal water stores and transpiration. Substantial nighttime sap flux was observed in all species and much of this flux was attributed to the refilling of depleted water stores. However, in paper birch, nighttime sap flux frequently exceeded recharge estimates. Over 10% of the total daily sap flux during the growing season was due to transpiration at night in paper birch. Nighttime sap flux was over 8% of the total daily flux in red oak and 2% in red maple; however, this flux was mainly associated with recharge. On nights with elevated vapor pressure deficit, sap flux continued through the night in paper birch, whereas it reached zero during the night in red oak and red maple. Measurements of leaf-level gas exchange on a night with elevated vapor pressure deficit showed stomatal conductance dropping by only 25% in paper birch, while approaching zero in red oak and red maple. The study highlighted differences in ecophysiological controls on sap flux exerted by co-occurring species. Paper birch is a fast-growing, shade-intolerant species with an earlier successional status than red oak and red maple. Risking water loss through nighttime transpiration may provide paper birch with an ecological advantage by enabling the species to maximize photosynthesis and support rapid growth. Nighttime transpiration may also be a mechanism for delivering oxygen to respiring cells in the deep sapwood of paper birch.

In tall old forests, limitations to water transport may limit maximum tree height and reduce photosynthesis and carbon sequestration. We evaluated the degree to which tall trees could potentially compensate for hydraulic limitations to water transport by increased use of water stored in xylem. Using sap flux measurements in three tree species of the Pacific Northwest, we showed that reliance on stored water increases with tree size and estimated that use of stored water increases photosynthesis. For Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), water stored in xylem accounted for 20 to 25% of total daily water use in 60-m trees, whereas stored water comprised 7% of daily water use in 15-m trees. For Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana Dougl. ex Hook.), water stored in xylem accounted for 10 to 23% of total daily water use in 25-m trees, whereas stored water comprised 9 to 13% of daily water use in 10-m trees. For ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.), water stored in xylem accounted for 4 to 20% of total daily water use in 36-m trees, whereas stored water comprised 2 to 4% of daily water use in 12-m trees. In 60-m Douglas-fir trees, we estimated that use of stored water supported 18% more photosynthesis on a daily basis than would occur if no stored water were used, whereas 15-m Douglas-fir trees gained 10% greater daily photosynthesis from use of stored water. We conclude that water storage plays a significant role in the water and carbon economy of tall trees and old forests.

夜间液流有助于树木物质运输及其体内水分的补充(water recharge), 它不仅对植物的生长发育具有重要的生理生态学意义, 而且对大尺度植物蒸腾耗水的估算可能产生重要影响。2008年6月1日至8月31日, 以热扩散探针(thermal dissipation probe, TDP)技术对大连市劳动公园内的雪松(Cedrus deodara)、大叶榉(Zelkova schneideriana)、丝棉木(Euonymus bungeanus)和水杉(Metasequoia glyptostroboides) 4种乔木树种的不同径阶样木树干边材液流进行了测定, 并结合同步土壤水分与小气候观测结果分析了树木夜间(18:00至次日5:00)液流特征。实验结果表明, 树木普遍存在可感夜间液流, 夜间液流总量占观测期液流总量的比例在样木个体间呈现显著差异, 其变化范围为0.44%–75.96%; 观测期雨天夜间液流波动活跃, 显著高于晴天,其单日夜间液流总量可持平, 甚至高于日间液流。相关分析表明: 水汽压亏缺(vapor pressure deficit, VPD)和风速的变化与夜间蒸腾显著相关, 它们能够较好地解释液流变化(R2 > 0.6); 树木夜间液流主要用于夜间蒸腾和自身水分补充, 夜间液流现象主要发生在前半夜, 后半夜液流平稳且极接近0, 夜间液流量与相应的日间流量(R2 = 0.356, p = 0.00)及胸径(R2 Spearman > 0.80) 显著相关, 说明植物本身的结构和生理特点也是影响树木夜间液流的重要因子。单株样木夜间液流占全天总蒸腾量的比例低于14.4%, 如不考虑夜间液流的影响, 根据日间液流通过尺度扩展推算的森林生态系统年蒸腾量可能偏低。

Transpiration of a Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) stand was evaluated by sap flow measurements during a 4-month period. Between-tree variation in sap flow depended on crown class. On a sunny day, total transpiration was 1.6, 8.0 and 22.0 liters day(-1) for suppressed, codominant and dominant trees, respectively. Transpiration estimated by sap flow fell below potential evapotranspiration when available soil water decreased below 30% of its maximum value. Sap flow measurements gave transpiration values similar to those obtained by the water balance method.

水分供应不足及水热不同步常导致黄土丘陵地区在春末和夏初出现季节性干旱。为阐明该地区主要造林树种的蒸腾耗水特征及其对降水的响应, 使用热扩散式树干茎流计(TDP)于2009年4-10月对黄土丘陵区安塞国家生态试验站刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)和侧柏(Platycladus orientalis)的树干液流密度(F_d)进行连续观测, 并同步测定了气象、土壤水分等环境因子。结果表明: 刺槐和侧柏在生长季内不同生长时期的F_d均表现为单峰型日变化特征, 刺槐最高液流峰值为0.12068 m³·m^-2·h^-1, 是侧柏最高液流值(0.03737 m³·m^-2·h^-1)的3.23倍。除生长旺盛季(7-8月)外, 刺槐和侧柏降水后的F_d明显高于降水前。同时反映水汽压差(VPD)和太阳辐射(R_s)的蒸腾变量(VT)能够很好地模拟F_d, 且两者呈显著的指数正相关关系, 随VT的增加F_d逐渐增大, VT增加到50 kPa (W·m^-2)^1/2左右时, F_d的变化趋于稳定; 通过对降水前后两个树种水力导度(拟合参数b值)分析, 相对于侧柏, 刺槐更易受降水的影响(p < 0.001)。因此, 可认为刺槐是降水敏感型植物, 而侧柏是降水不敏感型植物。该研究通过分析黄土丘陵区人工林树种对降水的差异性响应, 从树木水分利用方面能够为当地生态恢复过程中人工林的管理提供科学依据。