Scaling Erica arborea transpiration from trees up to the stand using auxiliary micrometeorological information in a wax myrtle-tree heath cloud forest (La Gomera, Canary Islands)

Research in Garajonay National Park, La Gomera, reveals that solar radiation is the primary driver of transpiration in Erica arborea, a key species in the wax myrtle-tree heath cloud forest. The study found that E. arborea's daily water loss nearly doubles on fog-free days compared to foggy periods, with mean values of 12.81 ± 4.33 kg/day/tree and 5.35 ± 4.30 kg/day/tree, respectively. Over a year, an individual tree transpires approximately 3052.89 kg, highlighting the significant impact of fog on water dynamics in this unique ecosystem. The study employed a novel scaling method combining sap flow measurements with micrometeorological data to estimate stand-level evapotranspiration, demonstrating its utility for long-term monitoring and understanding forest water balance.

Regalado, C. M., & Ritter, A. (2013). Scaling Erica arborea transpiration from trees up to the stand using auxiliary micrometeorological information in a wax myrtle-tree heath cloud forest (La Gomera, Canary Islands). Tree Physiology, 33(9), 973–985. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpt071