Interactive effects of ozone and climate on water use, soil moisture content and streamflow in a southern Appalachian forest in the USA
McLaughin SB, Wullschleger SD, Sun G, Nosal M. 2007. Interactive effects of ozone and climate on water use, soil moisture content and streamflow in a southern Appalachian forest in the USA. New Phytologist. 174:125-136
The objectives of this study were to define possible interactions among background ozone levels, climate, and forest water use, which involved initial studies at a whole-tree level at three forested watersheds at Look Rock, TN close to the Great Smoky Mountains. The study involved analysis of change at a watershed scale using monthly flow rates across annual time steps. Results showed that daily water loss and recovery cycles in the trees were amplified with increased ozone exposure. The researchers found statistically significant increases in whole-tree canopy conductance, depletion of soil moisture in the rooting zone, and reduced late-season streamflow in forested watersheds resulting from increasing ambient ozone levels. Higher ozone levels might also exacerbate drought and climate changes.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- McLaughin, S; Wullschleger, S; Sun, G; Nosal, M
- Units
- ARD , GRSM
- Keywords
- AIRBIB, Appalachia, ARD_Park-Air-Info_Collection, Climate, Forests, GRSM-00102, Ozone, Soils, Streamflowm