The Influence of Forest Structure and Composition on Transpiration Rates Among Drought-Stressed Conifer Species in the Upper East River Watershed

Abstract

Despite the ecological significance of prominent coniferous forests surrounding RMBL, there are few comprehensive studies on these systems, particularly regarding transpiration dynamics. Their critical role in carbon sequestration, microclimate dynamics, and water resource management in the Upper Colorado River Basin render them subjects of great research interest. With that being said, sustained drought conditions throughout the region are changing energy fluxes within these forests and bringing into question their resilience in increasingly water-limited circumstances. Examining the physiological adaptations and water-use strategies among different conifer species will aid in our understanding of the ways in which forests contribute to a balanced energy budget in the face of changing climatic conditions. The specific focus of this study is on Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii), Subalpine Fir (Abies lasiocarpa), and Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta), three dominant conifers within the Upper East River Watershed. This research aims to investigate the variation in transpiration rates among drought stressed conifers in stands with varying species composition and forest structure. The work combines stem-scale trait measurements and high-resolution aerial imagery with unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to study transpiration dynamics at a landscape level.

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