Comparison of two sap flow methods for the estimation of tree transpiration

Abstract

The purpose of this note is to compare two sap flow methods for estimation of transpiration on the tropical tree Gliricidia sepium. The first one is based on heat dissipation around a heater probe, and the second is based on complete stem energy balance. Under our conditions, no significant differences between daily transpiration measurements were shown using the radial fluxmeter method and the heat balance method. Thus, these two methods can be used alternately or in a complementary way according to their specific advantages.