stable isotope analysis (Plantae)

Knowledge graph centered on stable isotope analysis (Plantae) with 76 nodes and 178 connections. Top connected: Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Gothic, Scarlet Gilia, Slender-tube Skyrocket, Crested Butte.

Method synopsis

Collection and isotopic analysis of xylem and soil water to determine plant water sources using δ18O and δ2H signatures combined with Bayesian mixing model to quantify proportional contributions from different water pools.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 9 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Canopy structure modulates the sensitivity of subalpine forest stands to interannual snowpack and precipitation variability (2025), Hydrology and Earth System Science. The protocol was originally introduced by Opportunistic short-term water uptake dynamics by subalpine trees observed via in situ water isotope measurements (2025), Water Resources Research. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Collect water isotope samples
   During the growing season, collected approximately weekly measurements of water isotopes from each of the trees instrumented with sap velocity sensors. Live twigs of ~3-5cm diameter were sampled from the trees, debarked, placed in a sealed bag and frozen as quickly as possible. Water from the twigs was extracted cryogenically using a batch-distillation method.
   Quantities: Weekly samples, ~3-5cm diameter twigs, from each instrumented treeDuration: Approximately weekly during growing seasonsConditions: Samples frozen as quickly as possible after collection
   Equipment: sealed bags, cryogenic extraction equipment, batch-distillation apparatus
2. Collect soil water samples
   Surface soil samples were periodically collected from a 10cm depth at each sap velocity site during the field seasons. Soil samples were extracted following the same method as twig samples using cryogenic batch-distillation.
   Quantities: Samples from 10cm depth at each of 6 sitesDuration: Periodically during field seasonsConditions: Surface soil sampling during growing seasons
   Equipment: cryogenic extraction equipment, batch-distillation apparatus

Typical Equipment

• sealed bags
• cryogenic extraction equipment
• batch-distillation apparatus
• Picarro L2140-i analyzer

Output Measurements

• δ18O values
• δ2H values
• snowmelt reliance percentages

Papers Using This Protocol (9)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used