Measurement and estimation of transpiration from an evergreen broad-leaved forest in japan

Methods to measure and estimate transpiration of a forest composed of evergreen broad-leaved trees (Pasania edulis Makino) are studied. Heat pulse velocity has been measured along with soil moisture and micrometeorological factors at the Fukuoka Experimental Forest, the Research Institute of Kyushu University Forests in Fukuoka, Japan (33$^{\circ}$38'N, 130$^{\circ}$31'E, alt. 75m). Tree cutting measurement was conducted to convert the heat pulse velocity into sap flow and transpiration. A big leaf model to calculate transpiration and Interception loss is examined and the estimated values are compared with the measured values obtained from the heat pulse measurement. The results show that 1) Pasania edulis Makino posessing radial pore structure had relatively high water content and high heat pulse velocity even within the central part of the stem near the pith, 2) the heat pulse velocity was well correspond to the water uptake in the tree cutting measurement, 3) the estimation of sap flow based on the heat pulse velocity is accurate, and 4) the big leaf model using the parameters obtained from measurement of a portable photosynthesis system in one day in summer gives reasonable estimation of transpiration independent of seasons and weather.