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701-1343-01L 2 Credits MSC D-USYS

Soil-Plant Water Relations: Exercises

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Andrea Carminati
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:08:09

Abstract

Water limitation is a worldwide constraint on plant growth and ecosystem functions and a spread cause of tree mortality. Here, we learn methods and approaches to estimate and explain causes and consequences of water limitations from plant physiology to ecosystem. We will work in groups, analyze data from the literature and compare approaches and scales.

Objective

Students are able to: Compare approaches and methods to assess plant water relations and onset of water stress for ecosystems Calculate drivers of transpiration limitations across scales (from one leaf to biomes) Integrate small scale processes (root physiology, stomatal biochemistry and rhizosphere processes) into ecosystem function

Content

Week 1: Intro Week 2-4: Ecosystem water limitation. Article, data analysis, discussion (Report 1) – Fu et al. 2024 Week 5-7: Critical plant water potentials. Article, data analysis, discussion (Report 2) – Anderegg et al. 2018 Week 8: Lecture. Synthesis of part 1 & 2 – Wankmüller et al. 2024 Week 9-10: Article, Discussion. Isohydricity and sensitivity to VPD vs soil moisture (Report 3). Mencuccini et al. 2024 Week 11-12: soil and pre-dawn water potential – how roots sense soil water. In class calculations and exercise. (Report 4) Week 13-14: Global active root depth. Reading and discussion – ecology and hydrology. Stocker et al. 2023 (Report 5)

Resources

Literature

Lecture notes and research articles

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance
i) Reports are written by max 2 students; they contain the key figures (around 2 figures per report) and a short text to explain them (caption style, around 200 words per report).ii) Reports are due within 2 weeks after the assignment.iii) Reports can be revised after the lecturer’s comments (2 extra weeks for the revisions).iv) Students need to successfully complete at least 4 out of 5 reports.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
exercise Soil-Plant Water Relations: Exercises
This course is the exercise part of the course 701-1343-00 Soil-Plant Water Relations
No time listed 2 h weekly

Offered In

  • Environmental Sciences Master
    • Major in Forest and Landscape Management (Students who started the specialization in Forest and Landscape Management before HS25 can complete the specialization according to the study guide 2024/25 or according to this structure. Students who start the specialization in Forest and Landscape Management in HS25 or later study according to the 2013 regulations, edition 29.04.2025 - 8. The new structure of this specialization (Forests/Landscapes/Soils/Data), is also shown in the current VVZ.)
    • Major in Forest and Landscape Management (from HS25 onwards) (Students who start the specialization in Forest and Landscape Management in HS25 or later study according to the 2013 regulations, edition 29.04.2025 - 8. The new structure of this specialization is shown in the current VVZ. Students who started the specialization in Forest and Landscape Management before HS25 can complete the specialization in accordance with the study guide 2024/25.)