Seasonal Changes in Transpiration and Soil Water Content in a Spruce Primeval Forest During a Dry Period

Transpiration covers approximately half of the annual precipitation total under humid temperate conditions in Europe (Denmead and Shaw 1962). The energetic equivalent of this amount of transpired water represents an important contribution to the energy balance of the Earth’s surface. In response to water stress, plants regulate their transpiration by decreasing their stomatal conductance (Sperry 2000).