The Stem of the Mediterranean Species Quercus ilex : a Forgotten Source of BVOCs
Abstract
Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) fulfil key ecological functions and have a significant impact on climate and air quality. However, research into BVOC fluxes from tree compartments other than the foliage remains limited and mainly restricted to conifers. In this study, we examined the stem emissions from Quercus ilex, an oak species that, despite lacking terpene storage pools, emits significant quantities of monoterpenes through its leaves. BVOC fluxes were measured using purpose-built dynamic stem chambers on four field-grown adult trees from spring to autumn. Q. ilex stems were found to be a net source of BVOCs, comprising mainly oxygenated and non-oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Emissions fluctuated throughout the season with peak emissions in the summer. During summer months, the daily mean emission rate of monoterpenes ranged between 0.7 and 37 pmol·m-2·s-1stem surface (0.1 - 5.1 ng·m-2·s-1) whereas that of sesquiterpene ranged from 0.1 and 22 pmol·m-2·s-1 (0.02 - 4.5 ng·m-2·s-1) and even up to 95 pmol·m-2·s-1 (19 ng·m-2·s-1) for one of the trees. Deposition of BVOCs, primarily the major monoterpenes emitted by Q. ilex leaves and their secondary oxidation products, were occasionally observed but in minor quantities. Stem emissions were mainly driven by temperature with positive exponential relationships. Furthermore, they increased with lower predawn leaf water potential values, meaning with increasing drought stress, but they decreased with air humidity and stem transpiration. Significant emission differences were also observed between individual trees, possibly related to biotic stress. Overall, the results demonstrate that stems of non-coniferous trees such as oaks can be a net source of BVOCs, particularly of highly reactive terpenoids, which should be taken into account in emission inventories. Further research is needed to truly understand the mechanisms behind stem emissions, as well as their role in the forest ecosystem.
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BibTeX
@article{bihanic2026stem,
title = {{The Stem of the Mediterranean Species Quercus ilex : a Forgotten Source of BVOCs}},
author = {Camille Bihanic and Aurélien Thiriet and Jean Kempf and Damien Longepierre and Jean-Marc Limousin and Agnès Borbon and Michael Staudt},
journal = {Tree Physiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/treephys/tpag161},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05853334v1},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Stem of the Mediterranean Species Quercus ilex : a Forgotten Source of BVOCs
AU - Camille Bihanic
AU - Aurélien Thiriet
AU - Jean Kempf
AU - Damien Longepierre
AU - Jean-Marc Limousin
AU - Agnès Borbon
AU - Michael Staudt
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Tree Physiology
DO - 10.1093/treephys/tpag161
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05853334v1
AB - Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) fulfil key ecological functions and have a significant impact on climate and air quality. However, research into BVOC fluxes from tree compartments other than the foliage remains limited and mainly restricted to conifers. In this study, we examined the stem emissions from Quercus ilex, an oak species that, despite lacking terpene storage pools, emits significant quantities of monoterpenes through its leaves. BVOC fluxes were measured using purpose-built dynamic stem chambers on four field-grown adult trees from spring to autumn. Q. ilex stems were found to be a net source of BVOCs, comprising mainly oxygenated and non-oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Emissions fluctuated throughout the season with peak emissions in the summer. During summer months, the daily mean emission rate of monoterpenes ranged between 0.7 and 37 pmol·m-2·s-1stem surface (0.1 - 5.1 ng·m-2·s-1) whereas that of sesquiterpene ranged from 0.1 and 22 pmol·m-2·s-1 (0.02 - 4.5 ng·m-2·s-1) and even up to 95 pmol·m-2·s-1 (19 ng·m-2·s-1) for one of the trees. Deposition of BVOCs, primarily the major monoterpenes emitted by Q. ilex leaves and their secondary oxidation products, were occasionally observed but in minor quantities. Stem emissions were mainly driven by temperature with positive exponential relationships. Furthermore, they increased with lower predawn leaf water potential values, meaning with increasing drought stress, but they decreased with air humidity and stem transpiration. Significant emission differences were also observed between individual trees, possibly related to biotic stress. Overall, the results demonstrate that stems of non-coniferous trees such as oaks can be a net source of BVOCs, particularly of highly reactive terpenoids, which should be taken into account in emission inventories. Further research is needed to truly understand the mechanisms behind stem emissions, as well as their role in the forest ecosystem.
SN - 0829-318X
SN - 1758-4469
ER -