Data from: Estimations of evapotranspiration in an age sequence of Eucalyptus plantations in subtropical China

Eucalyptus species are widely planted for reforestation in subtropical China. However, the effects of Eucalyptus plantations on the regional water use remain poorly understood. In an age sequence of 2-, 4- and 6-year-old Eucalyptus plantations, the tree water use and soil evaporation were examined by linking model estimations and field observations. Results showed that annual evapotranspiration of each age sequence Eucalyptus plantations was 876.7, 944.1 and 1000.7 mm, respectively, accounting for 49.81%, 53.64% and 56.86% of the annual rainfall. In addition, annual soil evaporations of 2-, 4- and 6-year-old were 318.6, 336.1, and 248.7 mm of the respective Eucalyptus plantations. Our results demonstrated that Eucalyptus plantations would potentially reduce water availability due to high evapotranspiration in subtropical regions. Sustainable management strategies should be implemented to reduce water consumption in Eucalyptus plantations in the context of future climate change scenarios such as drought and warming.

桉树（Eucalyptus）属树种在我国亚热带地区被广泛用于人工再造林活动。然而，桉树人工林对区域水资源利用的影响仍未得到充分探明。本研究以林龄分别为2年、4年及6年的桉树人工林为研究对象，通过耦合模型估算与野外原位观测的方法，对林木耗水与土壤蒸发量进行了测定。结果显示，各林龄梯度下桉树人工林的年蒸散量分别为876.7 mm、944.1 mm与1000.7 mm，分别占当年降雨量的49.81%、53.64%及56.86%。此外，2年生、4年生及6年生桉树人工林的年土壤蒸发量分别为318.6 mm、336.1 mm与248.7 mm。本研究结果证实，亚热带地区的桉树人工林因较高的蒸散水平，可能会降低区域水资源可利用量。在未来干旱、气候变暖等气候变化情景下，应制定可持续经营策略以降低桉树人工林的水资源消耗。