Axial diffusion of respired CO2 confounds stem respiration estimates during the dormant season

Efflux-based estimates of stem respiration in oak trees during the dormant season were biased by axial diffusion of locally respired CO₂. Light-induced axial CO₂diffusion along the stem due to woody tissue photosynthesis may lead to equivocal estimates of stem respiratory coefficients during the dormant season, which are generally used to estimate maintenance respiration throughout the year.