6.3 Diagnosing leaf water status and leaf hydraulic
strategy
Seasonal midday ΨL values varied across species and
stands, but in general, Q. alba experienced a lower overall
midday ΨL and a broader range. Larger species-specific
declines in midday ΨL occurred in the more arid forest
stands (e.g., NC_E chronosequence and MO, Table 1), while the smallest
occurred in NC_W 15yo (Fig. 6a). Leaf hydraulic strategy was primarily
associated with species (Fndf,ddf = 22.20,p = <0.001), and no influence of age on mean
ΨL interquartile ranges were detected (age and
age-species interactions not significant). The L. tulipifera andA. saccharum mean ΨL interquartile ranges were
indistinguishable, but significantly lower than Q. alba (Fig.
6b). Overall, Q. alba displayed more anisohydric behavior whileL. tulipifera and A. saccharum were more isohydric.