loading page

Water use of drought-tolerant coniferous trees ( Pinus brutia and Cupressus sempervirens ) in a semi-arid environment
  • +1
  • Hakan Djuma,
  • Adriana Bruggeman,
  • Marinos Eliades,
  • Christos Zoumides
Hakan Djuma
The Cyprus Institute

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Adriana Bruggeman
The Cyprus Institute
Author Profile
Marinos Eliades
ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence
Author Profile
Christos Zoumides
The Cyprus Institute
Author Profile

Abstract

Pinus brutia (pine) and Cupressus sempervirens (cypress) are two important forestry species in the Mediterranean region, with different strategies to cope with water stress. The overall goal of this study is to investigate ecohydrological processes of these two species. Specific objectives are: (i) to quantify their transpiration; (ii) to analyze relations between meteorological variables, soil moisture, sap flow, leaf conductance and twig water potential; and (iii) to assess differences in soil water balances and dynamics between three canopy cover conditions (under canopy, edge of canopy, open area). The study site is a plantation forest in Athalassa Forest Park, in Cyprus with a long-term average annual rainfall of 315 mm. The site was converted from rainfed agriculture in 2011. Observations of sap flow (12 trees for 20 months, 4 trees for 24 months) and soil moisture (66 sensors, 24 months) were made hourly. Soil moisture sensors were installed under the tree canopy, at the edge of the canopy and in the open area at 10-, 30- and 50-cm soil depths. Mid-day twig water potential ( Ψ) and leaf conductance ( gs) were measured monthly. The sap flow of cypress trees was double that of pine. Pine seems to regulate its stomata and shows less response to rainfall compared to cypress. Soil water balance computations showed that evapotranspiration from the 60-cm soil depth of the areas without tree canopy cover was higher than that of areas with canopy cover, likely due to preferential flows caused by the tree canopy and roots.
20 Mar 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Jun 20241st Revision Received
22 Jun 2024Submission Checks Completed
22 Jun 2024Assigned to Editor
22 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
06 Jul 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned