Discrepancy in tree transpiration of Salix matsudana, Populus simonii under distinct soil, topography conditions in an ecological rehabilitation area on the Northern Loess Plateau

Abstract

Abstract Complex naturally carved topography and large-scale artificial landforms significantly perturb hydrologic cycles and cause heterogeneity of water availability. Afforested trees exhibit distinct growth and survival strategies on distinct habitats on the Northern Loess Plateau in China. The objective of this study was to quantify tree transpiration discrepancies of two tree species aged >30\u202fyears on different soil and topography conditions, and to explore the interactions with the atmosphere, hydrology, soil and topography, through long-term (up to seven years) observations of sap flow, meteorological factors and soil water contents (SWC). Results showed that mean whole-tree transpiration (T) of Salix matsudana and Populus simonii in the growing season were 46.7 and 175.2\u202fkg\u202fd−1, respectively, in a dam field, and were 5.6-fold and 4.2-fold the magnitude of that on a sloping field, respectively. Daily T was positively correlated (P