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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

A Venturi Effect Can Help Cure Our Trees

A Venturi Effect Can Help Cure Our Trees

Published on: October 1, 2013

Whole-tree sap flow is substantially diminished by leaf herbivory.

Saul A Cunningham¹, Kimberi R Pullen, Matthew J Colloff

¹CSIRO Entomology, Box 1700, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia. saul.cunningham@csiro.au

|October 28, 2008

Summary

Insect herbivory significantly impacts tree water use, with unprotected Eucalyptus blakelyi showing half the sap flow increase of protected trees. This highlights the crucial role of insect damage in tree ecohydrology.

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Herbivore-induced Blueberry Volatiles and Intra-plant Signaling

Herbivore-induced Blueberry Volatiles and Intra-plant Signaling

Published on: December 18, 2011

Area of Science:

Ecohydrology
Forest Ecology
Insect-Plant Interactions

Background:

Ecohydrological models often overlook herbivory's impact on tree water use.
Insect damage can affect leaf area and function, influencing transpiration.
The complex responses of plants to insect herbivory are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effect of insect herbivory on whole-plant water use in Eucalyptus blakelyi.
To quantify the impact of insect damage on sap flow velocity and crown condition.

Main Methods:

Field experiment using Eucalyptus blakelyi near Canberra, Australia.
Application of insecticide to treated trees versus an untreated control group.
Measurement of sap flow velocity and assessment of crown condition over six months.

Main Results:

Trees without insecticide protection exhibited half the sap flow velocity increase compared to protected trees (4.4 vs. 9.0 cm/h).
Unprotected trees had 20% less leaf mass per unit stem and a 20% greater loss of functional leaf area due to necrosis.
These effects were observed in a non-outbreak year, suggesting potentially greater impacts during psyllid outbreaks.

Conclusions:

Insect herbivory significantly reduces tree water use, impacting ecohydrological processes.
Crown condition, including leaf mass and functional area, is directly linked to water use efficiency.
Understanding insect-plant interactions is critical for accurate ecohydrological modeling and forest management.