Response of Typical Tree Species Sap Flow to Environmental Factors in the Hilly Areas of Haihe River Basin, China

Abstract

Understanding developments in the trunk sap flow of prevalent tree species within the hilly areas of the Haihe River basin is imperative for ecosystem conservation. Nevertheless, the changes in sap flow of local trees and their response to environmental factors remain elusive. This study focuses on seven dominant tree species in the hilly area of the Haihe River basin and analyzed the relationship between tree sap flow rate and environmental factors at different time scales (hourly and daily). Our findings suggested: (1) Regardless of the time scale, total solar irradiance played a primary role in influencing sap flow rate. Conversely, as the time scale grew, the associations between most soil factors and sap flow rate enhanced, while those with meteorological factors declined. Notably, soil temperature exerted a more profound influence on sap flow rate than soil moisture and conductivity. (2) At the hourly scale, the sap flow rate of each species had a lag effect of 1–2 h with vapour pressure deficit, relative humidity and temperature, and 1 h or no lag effect with total solar irradiance and wind speed. (3) The response model of sap flow rate and environmental factors showed that, except for Pinus tabuliformis Carr., other tree species fit well at various time scales (R2 ≥ 0.59). As the time scale of most tree species increased from hourly scale to daily scale, the fit gradually weakened. Concurrently, considering the time-lag effect, the accuracy of the model has been improved, and the fitting accuracy of Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm. and Pinus tabuliformis Carr. has been significantly improved.