Water and Isotopes in
Central Kenya
Katherine Zhao
 Caylor Ecohydrology Lab
 Mpala Research Center, Nanyuki,
Kenya
 How stomatal conductance and photosynthesis
vary with leaf age
 How Acacia mellifera responds to changes in
water in the environment
 Measuring stable isotopes to determine the
source of the leaf’s transpired water
Methods
 Li-6400 Portable Photosynthesis System
 Porometer to measure stomatal conductance
 Isotope analysis chamber
 Pressure chamber
 Taking measurements throughout the entire
day
 Analyzing differences in transpiration and
photosynthesis in old and new leaves
Results
 Diurnal pattern of transpiration
 Old leaves were more resistant than new
leaves to water loss
Advisers
 Kelly Caylor, Associate Professor, Civil
and Environmental Engineering
 Hilary Wayland, Ph.D. candidate, Civil
and Environmental Engineering