Annual water consumption of an Anatolian black pine in a sub-humid region

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the annual water consumption of an individual Anatolian black pine [Pinus nigra Arn. subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe] growing in Belgrad Forest, Istanbul. The sample tree was 56 years old, measuring a height of 17 m and a diameter at breast height of 40 cm. The study was conducted over a period of 1 year from January 1, 2016, to January 1, 2017. The minimum and maximum air temperatures were -11 degrees C and 32 degrees C, respectively. The precipitation during this period was recorded 1,083 mm.Tree water consumption measurements were carried out using the tissue heat balance method. Results showed that water uptake of the tree varied between 0.007 and 7154 kg day(-1), while the average daily and annual water consumption of the tree were about 27.06 and 9,851 kg, respectively. The daily water consumption varied between 59kg in july and 3.37 kg in January. These values can be considered as guidance for an effective management of forested watersheds in terms of both water quality and water production.