Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits
Published on: October 12, 2015
Linking nonstructural carbohydrate dynamics to gas exchange and leaf hydraulic behavior in Pinus edulis and Juniperus
David R Woodruff1, Frederick C Meinzer1, Danielle E Marias2
1USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
Abstract:
Leaf hydraulics, gas exchange and carbon storage in Pinus edulis and Juniperus monosperma, two tree species on opposite ends of the isohydry-anisohydry spectrum, were analyzed to examine relationships between hydraulic function and carbohydrate dynamics. Leaf hydraulic vulnerability, leaf water potential (Ψl ), leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf ), photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (gs) and nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) content were analyzed throughout the growing season. Leaf hydraulic vulnerability was significantly lower in the relatively anisohydric J. monosperma than in the more isohydric P. edulis. In P. edulis, Ψl dropped and stayed below 50% loss of leaf hydraulic conductance (P₅₀) early in the day during May, August and around midday in September, leading to sustained reductions in Kleaf . In J. monosperma, Ψl dropped below P₅₀ only during August, resulting in the maintenance of Kleaf during much of the growing season. Mean A and gs during September were significantly lower in P. edulis than in J. monosperma. Foliar total NSC was two to three times greater in J. monosperma than in P. edulis in June, August and September. Consistently lower levels of total NSC in P. edulis suggest that its isohydric strategy pushes it towards the exhaustion of carbon reserves during much of the growing season.
More Related Videos
12:11Measurement of Leaf Hydraulic Conductance and Stomatal Conductance and Their Responses to Irradiance and Dehydration Using the Evaporative Flux Method EFM
Published on: December 31, 2012
06:04Author Spotlight: Innovative Approaches to Understanding Plant Structure-Function Relationships for Climate-Resilient Crops
Published on: July 12, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources
C4 Pathway and CAM
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
Short-distance Transport of Resources
Responses to Drought and Flooding