Integrated sap flow systems to evaluate the impact of short-droughts on evapotranspiration and carbon uptake in age-sequence of planted conifer forests

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Forests play an integral role in the global carbon cycle by sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) into vegetation biomass through photosynthesis and releasing CO2 through plant and soil respiration and biomass decomposition. Plantation or afforested forests in both Canada and the United States have been a large carbon (C) sink over many of the last decades. However, recent studies indicate that their carbon sequestration capabilities are being affected by changes in regional climate. Climate warming, increasing winter/summer temperatures and heat events have increased evaporation, causing more frequent drought events. Short-term, severe drought events may significantly reduce forest photosynthetic uptake, particularly when they occur during the peak growing periods of spring and early summer. Changes in forest hydrology alters soil carbon emissions as well, which feeds-back on both carbon and water cycles.