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Patterns of Change in Sapwood Conductivity and Leaf Area for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga Menziesii)

EPA Grant Number: GF9501078
Title: Patterns of Change in Sapwood Conductivity and Leaf Area for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga Menziesii)
Investigators: Spicer, Rachel
Institution: Oregon State University
EPA Project Officer: Broadway, Virginia
Project Period: September 25, 1995 through  
Project Amount: $45,558
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1995)
Research Category: Academic Fellowships , Fellowship - Ecology , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration

Description:

Objective:

The goal of this research project is to determine how hydraulic conductivity and anatomy of Douglas-fir sapwood changes radially and longitudinally in trees of different form; to improve upon models of sapwood quantity and function relative to leaf areas; and to link rich physiological literature to rich forest products literature to find hydraulic significance of juvenile core. To accomplish these research objectives, trees will be felled by mid-late June to avoid water stress. Disks 15 cm thick from four heights within the tree and along branches and roots will be used for hydraulic measurements. Saturated permeability measurements will be made on whole disks and repeated with certain growth rings masked. Susceptibility of xylem to embolism may be attempted on longitudinal plugs. Wood anatomy of segments from the disks will be described to explain expected differences in conductivities and vulnerability to embolism. Anatomy will be used to characterize the location of juvenile wood to compare with the profile of conductivities. The research is expected to yield the following four results: 1) sapwood conductivities will be lower in rings closer to the pith and also within the same rings moving up the stream, 2) vulnerability to embolism will be lower for younger wood formed in the center and at the top of the tree, 3) lower conductivities will correspond with a given sapwood area supporting smaller leaf areas, 4) changes in wood anatomy will match declining conductivities.

Supplemental Keywords:

Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecology, Ecological Risk Assessment, Ecological Indicators, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecosystem Protection, Forestry, Ecology and Ecosystems, sapwood conductivity for Douglas-fir, Douglas-fir, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga Menziesii), ecosystem assessment, leaf area for Douglas-fir, ecosystem, hydraulic conductivity

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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