Stomatal conductance

By definition, stomatal conductance, usually measured in mmol m⁻² s⁻¹, conditions the net molar flux of carbon dioxide (CO2) entering or water vapor exiting the through the stomata of a leaf, for a given concentration difference of CO2 or water vapor between the atmosphere and the sub-stomatal cavity. The so conditioned molar fluxes are for CO2 the net CO2 assimilation rate and for water vapour the transpiration rate. 
The stomatal conductance, or its inverse, stomatal resistance, is under the direct biological control of the leaf through its guard cells, which surround the stomatal pore. The turgor pressure and osmotic potential of guard cells is directly related to the stomatal conductance.
Stomatal conductance is a function of stomatal density, stomatal aperture, and stomatal size. Stomatal conductance is integral to leaf level calculations of transpiration (E). Multiple studies have shown a direct correlation between the use of herbicides and changes in physiological and biochemical growth processes in plants, particularly non-target plants, resulting in a reduction in stomatal conductance and turgor pressure in leaves.
Light-dependent stomatal opening.
Light-dependent stomatal opening occurs in many species and under many different conditions. Light is a major stimulus involved in stomatal conductance, and has two key elements that are involved in the process: the stomatal response to blue light, and photosynthesis in the chloroplast of the guard cell. The stomata open when there is an increase in light, and they close when there is a decrease in light.
This is because the blue light activates a receptor on the guard cell membrane which induces the pumping of protons of the cells, which creates an electrochemical gradient. This causes free floating potassium and other ions to enter the guard cells via a channel. The increase in solutes within the guard cells leads to a decrease in the osmotic potential of the cells, causing water to flood in, the guard cell becomes enlarged, and therefore open.
The second key element involved in light-dependent stomatal opening is the photosynthesis in the chloroplast of the guard cell. This event also increases the amount of solutes within the guard cell. Carbon dioxide enters the chloroplasts which increases the amount of photosynthesis. This increases the amount of solutes that are being produced by the chloroplast which are then released into the cytosol of the guard cell. Again, this causes a decrease in osmotic potential, water floods into the cells, the cells swell up with water, and the stomata is opened.
Recent studies have looked at the stomatal conductance of fast growing tree species to identify the water use of various species. Through their research it was concluded that the predawn water potential of the leaf remained consistent throughout the months while the midday water potential of the leaf showed a variation due to the seasons. For example, canopy stomatal conductance had a higher water potential in July than in October. The studies conducted for this experiment determined that the stomatal conductance allowed for a constant water use per unit leaf area.
Other studies have explored the relationship between drought stress and stomatal conductance. Through these experiments, researchers have found that a drought resistant plant regulates its transpiration rate via stomatal conductance. This minimizes water loss and allows the plant to survive under low water conditions.
Methods for measuring.
Stomatal conductance can be measured in several ways:
Steady-state porometers:
A "steady state porometer" measures stomatal conductance using a sensor head with a fixed diffusion path to the leaf. It measures the vapor concentration at two different locations in the diffusion path. It computes vapor flux from the vapor concentration measurements and the known conductance of the diffusion path using the following equation:
formula_1
Where formula_2 is the vapor concentration at the leaf, formula_3 and formula_4 are the concentrations at the two sensor locations, formula_5 is the stomatal resistance, and formula_6 and formula_7 are the resistances at the two sensors. If the temperatures of the two sensors are the same, concentration can be replaced with relative humidity, giving
formula_8
Stomatal conductance is the reciprocal of resistance, therefore
formula_9 .
A "dynamic porometer" measures how long it takes for the humidity to rise from one specified value to another in an enclosed chamber clamped to a leaf. The resistance formula_10 is then determined from the following equation:
formula_11
where ∆formula_12 is the time required for the cup humidity to change by ∆formula_13, formula_13 is the cup humidity, formula_15 is the cup “length,” and formula_16 is an offset constant.
"Null balance porometers" maintain a constant humidity in an enclosed chamber by regulating the flow of dry air through the chamber and find stomatal resistance from the following equation:
formula_17
where formula_5 is the stomatal resistance, formula_19 is the boundary layer resistance, formula_16 is the leaf area, formula_21 is the flow rate of dry air, and formula_13 is the chamber humidity.
The resistance values found by these equations are typically converted to conductance values.
Models.
A number of models of stomatal conductance exist.
Ball-Berry-Leuning model.
The Ball-Berry-Leuning model was formulated by Ball, Woodrow and Berry in 1987, and improved by Leuning in the early 90s. The model formulates stomatal conductance, formula_23 as
formula_24
where formula_23 is the stomatal conductance for diffusion, formula_26 is the value of formula_23 at the light compensation point, formula_28 is assimilation rate of the leaf, formula_29 is the vapour pressure deficit, formula_30 is the leaf-surface CO2 concentration, formula_31 is the CO2 compensation point. formula_32 and formula_33 are empirical coefficients.