Trees transport water (sap) through vessels in their stems, under tension. Drought may lead to embolism, where gas fills the vessels and water can no longer be transported. Nanobubbles, recently discovered in sap, may contribute to embolism, but also play a crucial role in the movement of gases within plants. We will develop a tissue network model and a coarser tree model, in which the transport physics, and production and consumption of different gases, are described. Networks created from X-ray tomography images of tree cross-sections will be used as the basis of the tissue level model. Gas concentrations and stem effluxes will be measured to test and parameterise the models. Molecular simulations assess the stability of nanobubbles, and their dynamic behaviour in trees. These simulations will communicate with the tissue and whole tree models. The project will provide a holistic understanding on the role of gases in tree physiological processes.

2021

2025