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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.10.011 Byline: Hikaru Komatsu (a), Tomonori Kume (b), Kyoichi Otsuki (a) Abstract: Researchers and journalists in Japan recently proposed forest management as an alternative to dam reservoir development for water resource management. To examine the validity of the proposal, we compared the potential low-flow increase due to forest clearcutting with the increase due to dam reservoir development. Here, we focused on forest clearcutting as an end member among various types of forest management. We first analyzed runoff data for five catchments and found a positive correlation between annual precipitation and the low-flow increase due to deforestation. We then examined the increase in low-flow rates due to dam reservoir development (dQ.sub.d) using inflow and outflow data for 45 dam reservoirs across Japan. Using the relationship between annual precipitation and the low-flow increase due to deforestation, we estimated the potential increase in the low-flow rate for each dam reservoir watershed if forests in the watershed were clearcut (dQ.sub.f). Only 6 of the 45 samples satisfied dQ.sub.f dQ.sub.d , indicating that the potential increase in the low-flow rate due to forest clearcutting was less than the increase due to dam reservoir development in most cases. Twenty-five of the 45 samples satisfied dQ.sub.f Author Affiliation: (a) Kasuya Research Forest, Kyushu University, 394 Tsubakuro, Sasaguri, Kasuya, Fukuoka 811-2415, Japan (b) School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, 1 , Roosevelt Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan Article History: Received 1 April 2009; Revised 8 October 2009; Accepted 23 October 2009

• Thinning affects ecohydrological processes under different biophysical conditions, silvicultural systems, and time scales. • Throughfall, net precipitation, soil moisture and tree-level water use increase after thinning by 1.19, 1.14 and 1.56 relative to the control, respectively. • Stemflow and stand transpiration decrease after thinning by 0.42 and 0.6 relative to the control, respectively. • Thinning enhances runoff and groundwater recharge and mitigates the effects of drought through increasing Water Use Efficiency. • Thinning intensity of about 50% of the stand density is determined as the threshold at or over which hydrological processes are significantly affected. • The duration of thinning effect can be set between 2.6 and 4.3 (throughfall) and 3.1–8.6 years (soil moisture and transpiration). Forest thinning can significantly affect hydrological processes. However, these effects largely vary with forest types, climate, thinning intensity, and hydrological variables of interest. Understanding these effects and their variations can significantly support thinning treatments' design and selection to ensure desired hydrological benefits. In this global-level review paper, we report the first comprehensive meta-analysis on the effects of thinning on major hydrological processes with an emphasis on rainfall partitioning, soil moisture and evapotranspiration processes. The synthesized and reviewed studies encompass different biophysical conditions (climate and forest ecosystems), silvicultural systems, and time scales (from weeks to decades) across continents. The results showed a significant increase in net precipitation, soil moisture and tree-level water use after thinning (the effect sizes are 1.19, 1.14 and 1.56 relative to the value of the control, respectively), while decreases in stemflow and transpiration (the effect sizes of 0.42 and 0.6 relative to the value of the control, respectively). Thinning intensity of about 50% of the stand density is determined as the threshold at or over which hydrological processes are significantly affected. The duration of thinning effect can be set between 2.6 and 4.3 (throughfall) and 3.1–8.6 years (soil moisture and transpiration), asking for repeated thinning in order to effectively sustain these effects. These global averages can serve as benchmarks for assessment and comparisons, but the effects of thinning depend on local biophysical conditions and thinning treatments. The literature review on the rest of the studied hydrological variables suggests that thinning generally enhance runoff to increase water yield and groundwater recharge. Thinning can also have a positive or limited role in water use efficiency (WUE), but it mitigates the effects of drought through increasing WUE. Moderate adverse effects on water quality can be prevented by adequate forest managements to prevent soil degradation. Nevertheless, more researches at relatively less studied regions are needed to support a more robust analysis of these reviewed hydrological variables. The management implications of the synthesized and reviewed results are suggested and discussed within the context of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have revealed that changes in forest structure due to management (e.g., thinning, aging, and clearcutting) could affect the forest water balance. However, there are unexplained variability in changes in the annual water balance with changing structure among different sites. This is the case even when analyzing data for specific species/regions. For a more advanced and process-based understanding of changes in the water balance with changing forest structure, we examined transpiration ( E ) observed using the sap-flux method for 14 Japanese cedar and cypress plantations with various structure (e.g., stem density and diameter) in Japan and surrounding areas and developed a model relating E with structural parameters. We expressed E using the simplified Penman–Monteith equation and modeled canopy conductance ( G c ) as a product of reference G c ( G cref ) when vapor pressure deficit is 1.0 kPa and functions expressing the responses of G c to meteorological factors. We determined G cref and parameters of the functions for the sites separately. E observed for the 14 sites was not reproduced well by the model when using mean values of G cref and the parameters among the sites. However, E observed for the sites was reproduced well when using G cref determined for each site and mean values of the parameters of the functions among the sites, similar to the case when using G cref and the parameters of the functions determined for each site. These results suggest that considering variations in G cref among the sites was important to reproduce variations in E , but considering variations in the parameters of the functions was not. Our analysis revealed that G cref linearly related with the sapwood area on a stand scale ( A ) and that A linearly related with stem density ( N ) and powers of the mean stem diameter ( d m ). Thus, we proposed a model relating E with A (or N and d m ), where G cref was calculated from A (or N and d m ) and the parameters of the functions were assumed to be the mean values among the sites. This model estimates changes in E with changing structure from commonly available data ( N and d m ), and therefore helps improve our understanding of the underlying processes of the changes in the water balance for Japanese cedar and cypress plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In western Japan, Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forests have been expanding by replacing surrounding vegetation such as coniferous plantation forests and natural broadleaved forests. It has been speculated that the replacement of surrounding vegetation by bamboo forests could alter the vegetation water cycle and available water resources. We quantified stand-scale transpiration (E) in a bamboo forest on the basis of sap-flux measurements and compared the E value with values for coniferous forests. The annual E was estimated to be 567mm. Seasonal trends in E primarily corresponded to seasonal trends in the vapor pressure deficit. Annual E for the bamboo forest was higher than that for the coniferous forests by 12% of annual precipitation (P). This difference in annual E is comparable with the difference in annual interception evaporation (I) relative to P between bamboo and coniferous forests; previous studies reported lower I for bamboo forests by ∼10% of P. Thus, the sum of E and I was comparable for bamboo and coniferous forests. As this study is the first measuring E of bamboo forests, further studies are required to examine the generality of our results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The applicability of sap flux (F d ) measurements to bamboo forests has not been studied. This study was undertaken to establish an optimal and effective design for stand-scale transpiration (E) estimates in a Moso bamboo forest. To this aim, we validated F d measurements in Moso bamboos in a cut bamboo experiment. In addition, we analyzed how sample sizes affect the reliability of E estimates calculated from F d and conducting culm area (A S_b ). In the cut bamboo experiments, we found that F d measurement using a 10mm probe was a valid means of determining the water-use behavior of a Moso bamboo, although a specific correction was needed. Furthermore, we calculated E from stand A S_b (A S_stand) and mean stand F d (J S ). Employing Monte Carlo analysis, we examined potential errors associated with sample size in E, A S_stand, and J S using an original dataset with A S_b and F d measured for 40 and 16 individuals, respectively. Consequently, we determined the optimal sample size for both A S_stand and J S estimates as 11. The optimal sample sizes for J S were almost the same under different vapor pressure deficit and soil moisture conditions. The optimal sample size for J S at the study site was less than that of a coniferous plantation in the same region probably owing to small individual-to-individual variations in sap flux in the Moso bamboo forest. Our study concludes that sap flux measurements are an applicable technique for assessing water use in Moso bamboo forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The growth of tropical rainforest in Amazon is critically vulnerable to the change in rainfall and radiation than in temperature, and that amount of rainfall and cloudiness in the northeast region of South American is strongly affected by the Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST). Results from recent model experiments for future climate projection have indicated a reduction of Amazonian greenness by a weakening of tropical vapor circulation system related with the change in SST. Therefore, the observational investigation of the relations between the Amazon greenness and Atlantic SST is fundamental to understand the response of Amazonian tropical forest to climate change. In this study, the effect of Atlantic SST on the spatial and temporal change of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in the Amazonian region is examined by using satellite remote sensing data for the period of 1981–2001. A strong correlation between NDVI and SST is found for certain regions in Amazon during the periods of 1980s and 1990s, respectively. In addition, strong correlations with NDVI lagging behind SST for two months and one year, respectively, are also identified from the interannual December-to-February (rain season) variations during 1981–2001. Despite these findings, the mechanisms behind the identified correlation remain unclear. Further analyses using observed precipitation and radiation data are required to understand the potential changes of Amazonian rainforest in the context of global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) is one of the most common plantation species in Japan. In most Japanese cypress plantations, closure of the forest canopy hinders understory growth because of insufficient management practices. Thus leaf litter barely covers the soil surface. Such plantations are vulnerable to surface erosion triggered by rainfalls, and could yield large amounts of suspended sediment (SS). However, few studies have investigated the annual SS yield. This study aimed to develop a modified model of SS yields, and to accurately estimate and characterize the annual SS yield from a Japanese cypress plantation. For this, hydrological surveys were conducted for 5 years, and stream water was sampled weekly as well as sequentially at 15–60min intervals in each of 14 rain events in a small forested watershed of Japanese cypress. The root mean square error (RMSE) and the annual SS yield estimates were obtained using three different equations: the rating curve derived from instantaneous SS concentration versus stream discharge relationship (SSC− Q equation); the rating curve derived from cumulative SS yield versus cumulative specific discharge relationship (∑SS−∑Q equation); and the multiple regression of cumulative SS yield expressed as functions of cumulative specific discharge and antecedent rainfalls (∑SS−∑Q ×AR equation). The ∑SS−∑Q ×AR equation is a modified model considering the effects of antecedent rain history on the SS yield. The parameters in each equation were determined by a nonlinear least square method. Of the three equations, the RMSE was the highest using the SSC− Q equation. Although the ∑SS−∑Q equation and the ∑SS−∑Q ×AR equation gave similar RMSE values, the SS yields extrapolated by the ∑SS−∑Q equation would be overestimated. Thus, the 5-year average of annual SS yield estimated by the ∑SS−∑Q equation was three times larger than that estimated by the ∑SS−∑Q ×AR equation. These results indicate that the ∑SS−∑Q ×AR equation more accurately estimates the annual SS yield, compared with the other two equations. The results also suggest that antecedent rain history, as well as stream discharge, should be considered for appropriately estimating the annual SS yield. The annual SS yield estimated by the ∑SS−∑Q ×AR equation was the largest among 25 undisturbed forested watersheds, except for two watersheds dominated by sandstone. Our results suggest that the annual SS yield is greater from a Japanese cypress plantation under current management practices than from other undisturbed forests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Several previous studies in Japan have examined differences in rainfall interception amounts induced by differences in forest properties by comparing the annual rainfall interception ratios (annual rainfall interception divided by annual rainfall) from various sites without considering variations in meteorological conditions between sites. Rainfall interception actually depends on meteorological conditions as well as forest properties. This study examined variations in the annual interception ratio relating to the variation in annual rainfall, which would be the primary factor relating to the interception ratio, across Japan with the use of a rainfall interception model assuming the same forest properties (i.e., the canopy storage capacity, canopy closure, leaf area index (LAI), and the bulk coefficient for sensible heat transfer). The ratio ranged between 0.12 and 0.24 across Japan and was highly correlated to annual rainfall. This indicates that considering the variation in annual rainfall is critical for assessing the difference in rainfall interception amounts induced by forest properties. We reconsidered the results of previous studies in Japan that compared annual interception ratios between sites with different forest properties: (i) there is no clear difference in interception amounts between broadleaf and coniferous forests and (ii) there is a positive correlation in stem density and interception amounts for coniferous forests. These results still held when considering differences in annual rainfall between sites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study examined the change of water yield when a broad-leaved forest is converted to a coniferous plantation forest after clear-cutting in northern Japan where monthly precipitation is evenly distributed. Annual water yield after clear-cut was greater than observed in a broad-leaved forest and then decreased with the growth of a coniferous plantation forest. This reduction ceased after 30 years from the planting of coniferous seedlings. Water yield of a coniferous forest at this stage was smaller than observed in a broad-leaved forest. Results from monthly water yield examinations suggested that the difference in annual water yield was primarily caused by the difference in winter interception loss between broad-leaved deciduous and coniferous evergreen forests. The above results suggest that converting coniferous forests into broad-leaved forests can be used to increase water yield in these regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Annual ring growth of Quercus liaotungensis trees in natural forests bounded by desertified region in the Loess Plateau of China was investigated for the evidence of climatic influence. Increment cores were sampled and cross-dated for 120 trees from six stands 0.5–2.5km apart. Site tree-ring chronologies were created using general dendrochronological techniques. The results of correlation analyses between tree-ring indices and monthly climatic variables indicated that radial growth was positively correlated with precipitation in September of the previous year and that from April to June of the current year. Ring widths were negatively affected by temperature during spring and summer. In contrast, mild temperature in the previous October showed a positive influence. The results suggest that precipitation is important in the early growing season when soil and air are dry, and that high temperatures tend to reduce radial growth in this region. September rainfalls and a warm October may provide conditions that facilitate carbon storage, favor soil microbial activity, and promote root growth and shoot maturation against detrimental effects of stresses in the following seasons. There were also some differences among plots in the effects of both climatic variables probably as a result of different structures and geographical conditions that modified microenvironments. The results may contribute to the reforestation management of the area. It is expected that Q. liaotungensis forests should be ecologically established in this region on shady and half-shady slopes where air and soil drought stresses are not serious. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Litterfall production, the amount of organic matter on the forest floor, and litter decomposition rates were studied in an exotic nitrogen (N)-fixing black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) plantation and an indigenous non-N-fixing oak (Quercus liaotungensis) forest near Yan’an, on the Loess Plateau, China. The chemical composition of litterfall and soil was also examined. Litterfall production was similar in the two forests; however, the amount of N in litterfall was greater in the black locust plantation than in the oak forest because of the high N concentration of black locust leaves. The decomposition rate of black locust leaves was higher than that of oak leaves, most likely because of the higher N content of black locust leaves. These results suggested that N cycling was greater and faster in the black locust plantation than in the oak forest. However, faster decomposition caused the disappearance of the organic layer from the forest floor in the black locust plantation. Furthermore, despite greater N cycling in the black locust plantation, the soil N content was lower than in the oak forest. Our results indicated that the black locust plantation might be more susceptible to soil erosion than the oak forest. In addition, our study suggested that the black locust plantation had advantages in short-term N uptake, growth, and N cycling; however, it had disadvantages in soil development and regeneration and sustainable land management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The light environment and growth traits of the pioneer tree species Litsea citriodora in a recently clear-cut plantation were investigated in order to reveal the establishment process and growth of this species under annual weeding after clear-cutting. We investigated the light environments and the morphology, physiology and aboveground architecture of L. citriodora saplings in a plot that included both clear-cut open areas and forest floor under a conifer canopy. Dense populations of L. citriodora saplings were found in the open sites but few were observed on the forest floor. Saplings that originated from old stumps (sprout-saplings) were tall in height and dense, but seedlings were sparse and lower in height than the competitive tall herbaceous species Solidago altissima. Saplings of L. citriodora showed a higher leaf area per aboveground mass and greater area-based photosynthetic capacity than saplings of the co-occurring pioneer tree species Mallotus japonicus and Clerodendron trichotomum. Moreover, the L. citriodora saplings had a main stem with a larger length per mass ratio and more efficiently elongated per unit aboveground mass than M. japonicus and C. trichotomum. Sprout-saplings of L. citriodora attained rapid vertical elongation with rapid biomass acquisition as a result of their aboveground shoot architecture, allowing competition with S. altissima. Clear-cutting and subsequent weeding not only created open sites favorable for this pioneer tree, but also promoted the formation of sprouts, allowing sprout-saplings with rapid vertical growth to successfully establish in the clear-cut zone by inhibiting complete coverage by other pioneer trees. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Estimations of stand sapwood area (A S_stand) are among the most critical factors for determining stand transpiration (E) using sap flux measurements. A S_stand is generally estimated using stem diameter (DBH) data measured for all trees in a stand and an allometric equation that describes the relationship between DBH and sapwood area (A S_tree) based on available allometric data. To examine the errors in E that are generated when using the allometric equation with a small sample size, the Monte Carlo sampling technique was used with an original allometric data set. In this study, all trees (921 Cryptomeria japonica and 1226 Chamaecyparis obtusa) in the studied stands provided the original allometric data (DBH and A S_tree). Monte Carlo simulations allow the number of sample trees required for an appropriate E estimate to be derived. The results revealed that potential errors in the E estimate were almost stable with a sample size of over 20 for both Cr. japonica and Ch. obtusa. This implies that at least, but not more than, 20 trees are necessary for the allometric equation when estimating E for both species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Manipulated rainfall reduction lowered transpiration and growth of black locust trees. • Simulated drought weakened the response of sap flow to meteorological variables. • It showed different behavior under long or severe drought from short term drought. • The plantations in semiarid area tend to suffer from future precipitation decrease. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) plantations have been widely established in the semiarid and sub-humid areas of central China. Under the condition of global climate change, which is introducing much uncertainty of precipitation patterns in this region, it is of special significance to investigate their responses to precipitation. Here, we investigated sap flow response to reduced throughfall. Stem sap flow was measured from 2011 to 2017 using Granier-type sensors. By placing waterproof panels within tree rows, about 47.5% precipitation was excluded from treated plots since April 2015. Differences in soil water content gradually increased to 4.3% between treated and control plots with continued throughfall exclusion. Decreased precipitation input significantly reduced the average sap flux density in treated plots by 9.1%–45.3%. The extent of this reduction depended on precipitation in the previous and current years. Transpiration and forest growth were negatively affected by the treatment. Furthermore, sap flow response to environmental factors became insensitive, with the discrepancy increasing with increasing drought duration, but was regained by rainfall recharge to soil water in the first two treatment years. However, prolonged drought might damage transpiration resilience capacity, as the saturated sap flux after soil water recharging during the wet period was still lower than that in the control plot in the latter year. Predawn leaf water potential was significantly lower in the treated plot compared to the control plot, whereas midday leaf water potential was similar. Whole tree hydraulic conductance (G P) was also similar between the two plots, except in extreme drought months when G P was much lower in the treated plot. In addition, the specific leaf area and stomatal density decreased in the treated plot. Therefore, decreases in precipitation would cause a transpiration reduction, weakening the tree's response to meteorological variables and lowering growth and productivity, potentially damaging transpiration resilience. These results suggest that black locust is sensitive to water changes, its capacity of drought tolerant is restrained by the drought time scale or drought severity, the use of such species in reforestation in semiarid regions should be implemented with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroxyl radical (HO ) photoformation rate ( R HO ) was determined in headwater stream samples from nitrogen (N)-saturated forests, (1) to quantify the sources of HO in headwater streams and (2) to evaluate the nitrate NO 3 - -induced enhancement of HO formation in stream water caused by N saturation in forested watersheds. Stream water fulvic acid extracted from the forested watersheds was used to quantify the contribution of dissolved organic matter (DOM) to R HO . The results showed that almost all (97%; 81–109%) R HO sources in our headwater stream samples were quantitatively elucidated; the photolysis of NO 3 - (55%; 34–75%), nitrite [N(III)] (2%; 0.5–5.2%), and DOM-derived HO formation, from which photo-Fenton reactions (18%; 12–26%) and the direct photolysis of fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) (22%; 10–40%), was successfully separated. FDOM, which accounted for 53% (24–96%) of DOM in total organic carbon bases, was responsible for HO formation in our headwater streams. High NO 3 - leaching caused by N saturation in forested watersheds increased R HO in the headwaters, indicating that N-saturated forest could significantly change photoinduced and biogeochemical processes via enhanced HO formation in downstream water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodic droughts and extreme rainfall are predicted to become more common in the future; therefore, it is important to understand how soil N transformation processes driven by soil microbes respond to rainfall events. Differences in forest type, including those in the predominant mycorrhizal type, can have varying effects on soil N transformation. Therefore, we hypothesised that the response of the N transformation processes to rainfall events would differ between forest types, even those that are adjacently located. In this study, we generated a soil moisture gradient in adjacent dryland black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia , non-ectomycorrhizal [ECM]-type) and oak (Quercus liaotungensis , ECM-type) forests and measured the abundance and community composition of fungi and prokaryotes (including ammonia-oxidisers), extractable N content, and net N transformation rates in the soil. Increasing moisture was found to increase nitrate N content in the black locust forest but not in the oak forest. In the oak forest, the abundance of ECM fungi increased with increasing moisture, subsequently enhancing ECM fungal ammonium N uptake and limiting the N availability for ammonia oxidisers, which may reduce the nitrate N production by ammonia-oxidisers. Increased nitrate N uptake by ECM fungi may also result in low soil nitrate N content. The findings of this study indicate that the responses of the nitrate N dynamics to rainfall events can differ between adjacent forests and that this difference may be attributable to the presence of ECM fungi. Therefore, considering the forest mycorrhizal type is vital for predicating the response of forest N cycling under climate change. • A soil moisture variation was generated by an artificial rainfall experiment. • The response of nitrification to the moisture differed between two forest types. • Soil NO 3 − increased with increasing moisture in the black locust forest. • Soil NO 3 − content was always low in the oak (ectomycorrhizal-type) forest. • The increasing ECM fungi would reduce NO 3 − content in the oak forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is widely planted throughout semiarid and subhumid regions of the Loess Plateau of China. Determining the changes in transpiration of this species in different climatic areas is important for revealing the acclimation mechanism of black locust and developing suitable forest management practices, particularly in the context of global climate change. Here, sap flow and canopy conductance of black locust plantation trees in semiarid (Yan'an) and subhumid (Yongshou) sites were quantified using Granier-type thermal dissipation probes and concurrent environmental observations from 2012 to 2017. Several physiological parameters were measured throughout the growing season. The results showed that sap flow was correlated with phenological factors across seasons within a year. However, interannual changes in sap flow were affected mainly by the reference evapotranspiration (ET 0) at the Yongshou site, and jointly by precipitation (P), soil water content, and P / ET 0 at the Yan'an site. Sap flow response to meteorological factors showed less discrepancy between pre- and post-rainfall periods at the Yan'an site. Moreover, canopy conductance fluctuated less with a wider range of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and the slope of canopy resistance as a function of VPD was lower, indicating relatively lower sensitivity of stomatal conductance to environmental factors in Yan'an site. Physiological parameters, except for predawn leaf water potential, were significantly different between the two sites. The results suggested that black locust tended to reduce transpiration, modify leaf morphology, and improve water use efficiency to enhance its adaptability to the dryer site. The species changes stomatal regulation characteristics and general growth rate to acclimatize to distinct water habitats. • Sap flow characteristics of black locust differ between semiarid and subhumid sites. • Dominant environmental factors controlling transpiration varied with habitats. • Adaptability and responses to long-term and short-term drought are different. • Longterm soil water shortage weakened stomatal regulation and growth. • Future intensified drought potentially threatens the plantation stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boreal forests play an important role in the global balance of energy and CO2. Our previous study of elaborate eddy covariance observations in a Siberian boreal larch forest, conducted both above the forest canopy and at the forest floor, revealed a significant contribution of latent heat flux (LE) from the cowberry understory to the whole ecosystem LE. Thus, in the present study, we examined what factors control the partitioning of whole ecosystem LE and CO2 flux into the understory and overstory vegetation, using detailed leaf-level physiology (for both understory and overstory vegetation) and soil respiration property measurements as well as a multilayer soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer (SVAT) model. The modeling results showed that the larch overstory's leaf area index (LAI) and vertical profile of leaf photosynthetic capacity were major factors determining the flux partitioning in this boreal forest ecosystem. This is unlike other forest ecosystems that tend to have dense LAI. We concluded that control of the larch overstory's LAI had a relationship with both the coexistence of the larch with the cowberry understory and with the water resources available to the total forest ecosystem. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]