Canopy conductance

Canopy conductance, commonly denoted ${\displaystyle g_{c}}$, is a dimensionless quantity characterizing radiation distribution in tree canopy. By definition, it is calculated as a ratio of daily water use to daily mean vapor pressure deficit (VPD).^[1] Canopy conductance can be also experimentally obtained by measuring sap flow and environmental variables.^[2] Stomatal conductance may be used as a reference value to validate the data, by summing the total stomatal conductance ${\displaystyle g_{s}}$ of all leaf classes within the canopy.^[3]

${\displaystyle g_{c}=\sum _{layer_{1}}^{layer_{N}}(g_{s,sun}^{i}\cdot l_{sun}^{i})+(g_{s,shade}\cdot l_{shade})}$

See also

• Ecohydrology
• Stomatal conductance
• Transpiration