Note: This page is no longer being maintained and is kept for archival purposes only.
For current information see our main page.
GWI Kurtz-Fernhout Software
Developers of custom software and educational simulations.
Home ... News ... Products ... Download ... Order ... Support ... Consulting ... Company
Garden with Insight
Product area
Help System
Contents
Quick start
Tutorial
How-to
Models

Garden with Insight v1.0 Help: stomatal conductance


Stomatal conductance is the speed at which water vapor can evaporate from pores called stomata in the plant's leaves. It depends on the difference in the vapor pressure between the spaces inside the leaf (near the stomata) and the vapor pressure in the air surrounding the leaves.

If the speed of conductance is too great, the plant transpires a lot of water and the soil dries out placing the plant in water stress. To avoid this condition, plants try to some extent to control the speed of evaporation by closing the stomata when the sun is bright (which is when evaporation is greatest). However, the speed of photosynthesis depends on being able to release the CO2 produced into the atmosphere, so closing the stomata too much or for too long reduces photosynthate. So plants keep opening and closing their stomata to keep a middle line between the two constraints.

Home ... News ... Products ... Download ... Order ... Support ... Consulting ... Company
Updated: May 4, 1998. Questions/comments on site to webmaster@kurtz-fernhout.com.
Copyright © 1998 Paul D. Fernhout & Cynthia F. Kurtz.