A comparative study of seasonal patterns of hydraulic conductance and embolism of open eucalypt woodland and coastal health in NSW
Project Member(s): Eamus, D.
Start year: 2002
Summary: Xylem embolism occurs when the uptake of water by roots and evaporative demand of the atmosphere combine to generate unsupportable tensions in the xylem and the water column 'snaps' forming an embolism. This reduces the supply of water to the canopy thereby reducing plant water balance. Consequently stomatal conductance is reduced and hence plant and ecosystem productivity decline. This project will compare the occurance and sensitivity of different species in open Eucalypt woodland and coastal heaths in winter and summer. Such information is required for an understanding of mechanisms linking ecosysytem water balance and ecosystem productivity.
Keywords: Xylem embolism; Vulnerability curves; Ecophysiology
FOR Codes: Plant Physiology, Terrestrial Ecology, Land and water management, Terrestrial ecology , Plant physiology