Effects of Stumping and Meteorological Factors on Sap Flow Characteristics of <i>Haloxylon ammodendron</i> in Ulan Buh Desert, Northwestern China

Yingbin Ma; Yaru Huang; Jingbo Zhang; Xuting Hao; Zhiming Xin; Jian Cui; Xue Dong; Haoyi Wang; Chunxia Han; Jinlei Zhu; Qi Lu

doi:10.3390/atmos15111286

Atmosphere (Oct 2024)

Effects of Stumping and Meteorological Factors on Sap Flow Characteristics of <i>Haloxylon ammodendron</i> in Ulan Buh Desert, Northwestern China

Yingbin Ma,
Yaru Huang,
Jingbo Zhang,
Xuting Hao,
Zhiming Xin,
Jian Cui,
Xue Dong,
Haoyi Wang,
Chunxia Han,
Jinlei Zhu,
Qi Lu

Affiliations

Yingbin Ma: Experimental Center of Desert Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Bayannur 015200, China
Yaru Huang: Experimental Center of Desert Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Bayannur 015200, China
Jingbo Zhang: Experimental Center of Desert Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Bayannur 015200, China
Xuting Hao: Experimental Center of Desert Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Bayannur 015200, China
Zhiming Xin: Experimental Center of Desert Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Bayannur 015200, China
Jian Cui: Experimental Center of Desert Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Bayannur 015200, China
Xue Dong: Experimental Center of Desert Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Bayannur 015200, China
Haoyi Wang: Experimental Center of Desert Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Bayannur 015200, China
Chunxia Han: Experimental Center of Desert Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Bayannur 015200, China
Jinlei Zhu: Institute of Great Green Wall, Bayannur 015200, China
Qi Lu: Institute of Great Green Wall, Bayannur 015200, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15111286
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15, no. 11
p. 1286

Abstract

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The shrub/dwarf tree Haloxylon ammodendron is a prevalent woody plant used to combat desertification in the arid and semi-arid regions of northwestern China. Despite its drought resistance, artificial stands of this species experience significant degradation approximately ten years post-afforestation. Stumping, which involves cutting a portion of the above-ground part of shrubs/trees, is a common practice aimed at reducing water consumption and enhancing the growth of these stands. However, the impact of stumping on the sap flow of H. ammodendron remain inadequately understood, posing challenges to the sustainable management of these artificial stands. In this study, we monitored the sap flow of H. ammodendron subjected to various stumping treatments in the Ulan Buh Desert using the PS-TDP8 tree sap flow monitoring system. Concurrently, we measured several meteorological factors with an automatic weather station. We examined the changes in sap flow velocity following stumping and its response to meteorological factors to elucidate water use during growth. Our findings indicate that both the change in sap flow velocity and characteristics were closely associated with the degree of stumping. The initiation time of sap flow for H. ammodendron under different stumping treatments was earlier than that of the control group. The daily mean value and daily accumulation of sap flow followed the order: 50% stumping > control (no stumping) > 75% stumping > 100% stumping. Sap flow velocity and daily sap flow accumulation increased at 50% stumping but decreased at 75% and 100% stumping. Stumping altered the relationships between sap flow velocity and meteorological factors, with the correlation coefficient between these variables decreasing as the degree of stumping increased. The sap flow following stumping was primarily influenced by both the degree of stumping and meteorological factors. These results may contribute to a better understanding of water transport during the growth of H. ammodendron following stumping.

Published in Atmosphere

ISSN: 2073-4433 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Physics: Meteorology. Climatology
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/atmosphere/

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