Water Use and Growth in Dryland Oaks: Effects of Coppice Thinning

Project Number:

99R-01

Project Duration:

37 Months

Dates:

May 1, 1999 to June 13, 2002

Institution of Principle Investigator while on this project:

University of Arizona

Investigators (most current known information)

DeBano, Leonard (PI)

Professor of Watershed Management, The University of Arizona, School of Renewable Natural Resources, 325 Biological Sciences East, Tucson AZ 85721

TEL: +1-520-621-2543, FAX: +1-520-621-8801, Email: DeBano@ag.arizona.edu

Gottfried, Gerald J.

Research Forester, Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service, c/o Tonto National Forest, 2324 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix AZ 85006,

EL: +1-602-225-5357, FAX: +1-602-225-5295, Email: ggottfried/r3_tonto@fs.fed.us

Schiller, Gabriel

Associate Professor, The Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization of Israel, Institute of Field Crops & Natural Resources, Laboratory of Forestry, PO Box 6, Bet-Dagan, ISRAEL

TEL: +972-3-968-3875 or 968-3678, FAX: +972-3-966-9642, Email: vcgabi@netvision.net.il

Proposal Abstract

The effect of coppice thinning on water use by oaks were studied by scientists in both the United States and Israel. Transpiration rates, growth and water data was collected on Quercus calliprinos stands growing on Mount Carmel in Israel. Similar measurements were taken in the United States in southeastern Arizona on Quercus emoryi. Transpiration rates were calculated from sap flow measurements obtained by using a heat pulse meter. In Israel the highest average daily transpiration rate of about 28.1 liters per tree per day occurred in May, and the lowest of 5.0 liters per tree per day in October. The study in the United States reported that the transpiration rate in Q. emoryi ranged from 4.0 liters per day in the winter to 14 liters per day in the summer. In Israel, thinning enhanced the growth rate of the remaining trunks. The circumferences of the trunks in the thinned stools increased to 115.4% of their initial value in 3 years compared with only 107% by those of the trunks in the non-thinned stands. The analysis of growth rates of Q. emoryi in the United States are being summarized.

Outcome

Article in Journal

Shipek, D.C. and P. F. Ffolliott. 2003. "Water, wood and wildlife management of Emory oak coppice: A preliminary decision matrix." Hydrology and Water Resources in Arizona and the Southwest 33:43-45.

M.S. Thesis

Shipek, D.C. 2003. Transpiration by Emory oak rootstocks: Response to thinning treatments. M.S. Thesis. The University of Arizona. Tucson AZ.

Presentations

Shipek, D.C. and P. F. Ffolliott. 2005. "Management of thinned Emory oak coppice for multiple benefits." In Proceeding of biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II: Connecting mountain islands and desert seas. USDA Forest Service (in preparation).

Shipek, D.C., P. F. Ffolliott, G.J. Gottfried and L.F. DeBano. 2004. "Transpiration and multiple use management of Emory oak coppice." USDA Forest Service Research Paper RMRS-RP-48.

Shipek, D. C., L.F. DeBano, G.J. Gottfried and P. F. Ffolliott. 2003. "Water use by rootstocks of Emory oak coppice." In Proceedings of International Arid Lands Consortium conference, Assessing capabilities of soil and water resources in drylands: The role of information retrieval and dissemination technologies, 167-173. Tucson AZ.