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Fire Ecology

Table 2 Parameters used to predict stem water potential and degree of cavitation in Douglas-fir (DF), western larch (WL) and lodgepole pine (LPP). Biophysical parameters include soil water potential (Ψ soil ) set at a typical late summer value, canopy conductance to water vapor (G s ) set at approximately 30 % of maximum for the species of interest to reflect mid-day stomatal closure, leaf specific conductance (K L ) determined from values for mature trees in North Idaho, and the water potential where a 50 % loss in hydraulic conductance can be expected (Ψ50%).

From: A Way Forward for Fire-Caused Tree Mortality Prediction: Modeling A Physiological Consequence of Fire

Species

Ψ soil (MPa)

G S (mmol m−2 s−1)

K L (mmol m−2 s−1 MPa−1)

Ψ50% (MPa)

Douglas-fir

−1.0a

15b

0.93a

−5.2c

Western larch

−1.0a

26b

1.34a

−4.3c

Lodgepole pine

−1.0d

30e

2.2b

−3.0c

  1. a Kavanagh et al. 2007.
  2. b Unpublished data Kavanagh
  3. c Pinol and Sala 2000
  4. d Pataki et al. 2000
  5. e Reid et al. 2006
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