Spatial distribution of tree species governs the spatio-temporal interaction of leaf area index and soil moisture across a forested landscape

PLoS One. 2013;8(3):e58704. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058704. Epub 2013 Mar 12.

Abstract

Quantifying coupled spatio-temporal dynamics of phenology and hydrology and understanding underlying processes is a fundamental challenge in ecohydrology. While variation in phenology and factors influencing it have attracted the attention of ecologists for a long time, the influence of biodiversity on coupled dynamics of phenology and hydrology across a landscape is largely untested. We measured leaf area index (L) and volumetric soil water content (θ) on a co-located spatial grid to characterize forest phenology and hydrology across a forested catchment in central Pennsylvania during 2010. We used hierarchical Bayesian modeling to quantify spatio-temporal patterns of L and θ. Our results suggest that the spatial distribution of tree species across the landscape created unique spatio-temporal patterns of L, which created patterns of water demand reflected in variable soil moisture across space and time. We found a lag of about 11 days between increase in L and decline in θ. Vegetation and soil moisture become increasingly homogenized and coupled from leaf-onset to maturity but heterogeneous and uncoupled from leaf maturity to senescence. Our results provide insight into spatio-temporal coupling between biodiversity and soil hydrology that is useful to enhance ecohydrological modeling in humid temperate forests.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bayes Theorem
  • Biodiversity*
  • Ecosystem*
  • Humans
  • Pennsylvania
  • Plant Leaves*
  • Soil* / chemistry
  • Spatio-Temporal Analysis
  • Trees*
  • Water

Substances

  • Soil
  • Water

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation through the Susquehanna Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory (EAR 0725019). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.