Processed sap flow and fine-root trait data associated with summer drought responses in temperate trees in Lisle, Illinois, USA (2019–2021)

Dataset · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2026

DOI:https://doi.org/10.15485/3020486· OSTI ID:3020486

Tran, Newton; Lo, Marvin ^[1]; Midgley, Meghan ^[1]; Dybzinski, Ray ^[2]; Segal, Ella ^[3]; Cannon, Charles ^[4]; Kua, Chai-Shian ^[1]; Rollinson, Christine ^[1]; Iversen, Colleen ^[5]; McCormack, Luke ^[1]

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1. The Morton Arboretum
2. Loyola University Chicago
3. University of Tennessee
4. Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden
5. Oak Ridge National Laboratory

These data support the manuscript “Acquisitive root exploration strategies help maintain higher peak sap flux rates during summer drought, but more root biomass does not”. The dataset includes processed sap flow measurements and fine-root trait data collected between 2019 and 2021 from temperate monodominant tree plots established in the 1920s to 1930s ranging in size from 0.05 to 0.8 ha at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. Sap flow was measured with ICT sap flow sensors using the heat ratio method. Fine-root traits were measured from soil cores which includes specific root length (SRL), specific root area (SRA), diameter, biomass, and length for diameter classes ≤1 mm and ≤2 mm. The package contains comma separated value (CSV) data files and associated metadata that can be viewed and analyzed using common software such as spreadsheet programs, R, and Python. These data are used to investigate how variation in fine-root traits relate to tree water use and drought response during summer drought linking belowground root traits and aboveground physiological responses.

• Research Organization: ORNL Terrestrial Ecosystem Science SFA
• Sponsoring Organization: ESS-DIVE; U.S. DOE > Office of Science > Biological and Environmental Research (BER); The Morton Arboretum
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• Other Award/Contract Number: Subcontract 4000146074; years 2019-2023
• OSTI ID: 3020486
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

drought
ESS-DIVE CSV File Formatting Guidelines Reporting Format
ESS-DIVE File Level Metadata Reporting Format
ESS-DIVE Location Metadata Reporting Format
heat ratio method
root traits
sap flow
sap flux
specific root length (SRL)
The Morton Arboretum
trait adaptation
water uptake