Oxygen-18 in water, carbon dioxide, and organic matter: a tool for linking plant biological processes, hydrology and climate change

全球正在变暖，但蒸发皿蒸发量正在减少，因为世界正在变暗。我们不明白为什么。植物（例如树木年轮）和大气二氧化碳中稳定的、自然存在的氧同位素变化并记录气候变化和生理反应。将这些不同领域的研究结合在一起将有助于我们解释变化和反应。这些信息对于规划澳大利亚（农业、自然生态系统、水坝）和世界各地未来的用水需求是必要的。树木年轮和大气二氧化碳的同位素组成受到叶片水分的影响，并将详细研究它们之间的联系过程。

The globe is warming but pan evaporation is decreasing, because the world is dimming. We do not understand why. Stable, naturally occurring oxygen isotopes in plants (for example, tree rings) and in the carbon dioxide of the atmosphere vary and record climatic changes and physiological responses. Bringing these disparate areas of research together will help us to interpret the changes and responses. Such information is needed for planning future water requirements in Australia (agriculture, natural ecosystems, dams) and around the world. The isotopic composition of tree rings and of the atmospheric carbon dioxide is affected by that in water of leaves, and the processes linking them will be studied in detail.