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Updated: Feb 9, 2026
08:31
The Calibration and Use of Capacitance Sensors to Monitor Stem Water Content in Trees
Published on: December 27, 2017
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The potential of the tree water potential
1Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium.
Tree Physiology
|June 14, 2018
Summary
Accurately measuring tree water potential non-invasively is crucial for understanding forest responses to climate change. This study predicts daily canopy water potential in trees using stem diameter variations to assess tree water status.
Area of Science:
- Forestry science
- Plant physiology
- Climate change impact studies
Background:
- Assessing tree and forest health under climate change requires reliable indicators.
- Tree water potential is a key metric for understanding tree water status and drought response.
- Non-invasive methods for quantifying tree water potential are highly sought after.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a non-invasive method for predicting daily canopy water potential in mature temperate trees.
- To link tree water deficit, derived from stem diameter variations, to canopy water potential.
- To provide a tool for better assessment of forest responses to environmental changes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized stem diameter variation measurements to derive tree water deficit.
- Developed a predictive model for daily canopy water potential.
- Focused on mature temperate tree species.
Main Results:
- Successfully predicted daily canopy water potential using tree water deficit.
- Demonstrated the utility of stem diameter variation as a proxy for water status.
- Provided a new non-invasive approach for monitoring tree hydration.
Conclusions:
- Stem diameter variation offers a viable non-invasive method for estimating tree water potential.
- This approach can enhance our ability to monitor forest health and drought stress.
- The findings contribute to understanding tree ecophysiology under changing climatic conditions.
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