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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
07:08
Identification of Novel Regulators of Plant Transpiration by Large-Scale Thermal Imaging Screening in Helianthus Annuus
Published on: January 30, 2020
Exploring the importance of within-canopy spatial temperature variation on transpiration predictions
William L Bauerle1, Joseph D Bowden, G Geoff Wang
1Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173, USA. bauerle@colostate.edu
Journal of Experimental Botany
|June 30, 2009
Summary
Forest water use models need to include leaf temperature acclimation. Accounting for this improves transpiration estimates, especially for different Acer rubrum genotypes (cv. October Glory and Summer Red) under changing climates.
Area of Science:
- Forestry
- Plant Physiology
- Ecosystem Modeling
Background:
- Forest water use models often overlook leaf-level biochemical acclimation to temperature.
- Scaling forest water use requires understanding transpiration responses to temperature at the within-crown level.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the dependence of transpiration on temperature acclimation in contrasting Acer rubrum genotypes.
- Assess the effects of temperature acclimation on transpiration gradients within forest canopies using simulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized physiological parameters with and without adjustment for temperature acclimation.
- Employed the MAESTRA individual tree model to scale up transpiration to the stand level.
- Compared model reproducibility and transpiration predictions using acclimated versus non-acclimated parameters.
Main Results:
- The MAESTRA model's accuracy in predicting transpiration was higher when using parameters acclimated to growth temperature.
- Acer rubrum genotypes exhibited differential transpiration responses to increased temperatures, with the southern genotype (SR) showing a greater response.
- Elevated long-term temperature acclimation amplified differences in transpiration between genotypes.
Conclusions:
- Leaf-level physiological adjustments to microclimate changes are crucial for accurate forest water use modeling.
- Incorporating provenance-, ecotype-, and/or genotype-specific parameters enhances the precision of site- and ecosystem-level transpiration flux estimates.
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