Abstract: Evapotranspiration is one of the main pathways of water resource consumption in terrestrial ecosystem. It is a complex and continuous process, and influenced by the action of physiological process and physical environment under great uncertainty. Among them, how to quantify plant transpiration accurately is an important scientific issue. Due to electronic technology advancement, the development of tree sap flow measurement technology makes it possible to quantify plant transpiration scientifically and accurately. As a core member of Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) and National Ecosystem Research Network of China (CNERN), tree sap flow monitoring and research of coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, one of the main forest types in lower subtropical China, were carried out in 2010–2011 at Dinghushan Forest Ecosystem Research Station. The sap flow characteristics of the dominant species of Pinus massoniana, Castanopsis chinensis, Schima superba and Machilus chinensis were monitored. The data is comprised of the measurement data of tree sap flow in tree of the monitoring plot including the information on the process of data set construction. The setup and data sharing of the sap-flow database provides critical data for deep studies on the dynamic and patterns of forest water use under global climate and environment change, supporting forest management and ecosystem service evaluation in this region.
Keywords: Dinghushan National Nature Reserve; mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest; dominant species; sap-flow