Isotopic Branchpoints: Linkages and Efficiencies in Carbon and Water Budgets

Forests pass water and carbon through while converting portions to streamflow, soil organic matter, wood production, other ecosystem services. The efficiencies of these transfers are but poorly quantified. New theory new instruments have made it possible use stable isotope composition provide this quantification wherever there is a measurable difference between the branches branchpoint. We present linked conceptual model that relies on isotopes hydrogen, carbon, oxygen describe branchpoints along pathway from precipitation biomass sequestration illustrate how can be tested generalized.