Cold air drainage and modeled nocturnal leaf water potential in complex forested terrain.

Spatial variation in microclimate caused by air temperature inversions plays an important role in determining the timing and rate of many physical and biophysical processes. Such phenomena are of particular interest in mountainous regions where complex physiographic terrain can greatly complicate these processes. Recent work has demonstrated that, in some plants, stomata do not close completely at night, resulting in nocturnal transpiration.

Nocturnal transpiration causing disequilibrium between soil and stem predawn water potential in mixed conifer forests of Idaho.

Soil water potential (Psi(s)) is often estimated by measuring leaf water potential before dawn (Psi(pd)), based on the assumption that the plant water status has come into equilibrium with that of the soil. However, it has been documented for a number of plant species that stomata do not close completely at night, allowing for nocturnal transpiration and thus preventing nocturnal soil-plant water potential equilibration. The potential for nighttime transpiration necessitates testing the assumption of nocturnal equilibration before accepting Psi(pd) as a valid estimate of Psi(s).