Sap flux-scaled transpiration by tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) before, during and after episodic defoliation by the saltcedar leaf beetle (Diorhabda carinulata)

The release of the saltcedar beetle (Diorhabda carinulata) has resulted in the periodic defoliation of tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) along more than 1000 river km in the upper Colorado River Basin and is expected to spread along many other river reaches throughout the upper basin, and possibly into the lower Colorado River Basin. Identifying the impacts of these release programs on tamarisk water use and subsequent water cycling in arid riparian systems are largely unknown, due in part to the difficulty of measuring water fluxes in these systems. We used lab-calibrated, modified heat-dissipation sap flux sensors to monitor tamarisk water use (n = 20 trees) before, during and after defoliation by the saltcedar leaf beetle...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation, Journal Citation; Tags: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, Ecohydrology, Evapotranspiration, Saltcedar leaf beetle, Sap flux, All tags... Stand transpiration, Tamarisk, Fewer tags