Abstract:Background and Aims Canopy stomatal conductance is considered as a sensitive parameter of forest ecosystem in responding to environmental changes and can be used to monitor the impacts of water stress, air pollution, trace gas and other environmental factors on forest function. Sap flow of an Acacia mangiumforest was measured to scale up stand transpiration and canopy stomatal conductance. It aimed at understanding water use of A. mangium forest in different environmental water conditions and its responses to soil moisture change at an ecosystem level. Methods The Granier’s thermal dissipation probes were applied to monitor sap flow of 14 sample trees in an Acacia mangium forest in hilly land of South China. The sap flow data were used to calculated whole_tree and stand transpiration, and to estimate mean canopy stomatal conductance (Gc) by combing with synchronous measurement of environmental factors. Key Results Sap flux density (Js) and whole_tree transpiration ( Et) were obviously affected by tree morphological features. Even though there were less individual trees with large diameter at breast height (DBH) in the sample plot, they comprised relatively larger proportions of total sapwood area and transpiration of the forest. Daily variations of Js and Et were mainly controlled by photosynthe tically active radiation (Qo) and vapor pressure deficit (D). Soil moisture (θ) had greater effects onJs and Et of trees with larger DBH than on those trees with smaller DBH. The differences of Js and Et across individuals reduced with decreasing θ. The highest stand transpiration (E) occurred in July when the radiation and hydrothermal condition were favorable, whereas the reduced water supply in soil during the time period of September_November resulted in lower E value and its sensitivity to D.Gc responded to major environmental fact ors in a similar way with E. Long_term lower θ would significantly decreased Gc , which would cause reduction in E. Conclusions Mature A. mangium forest can maintain a vigorous transp iration under sufficient radiation and hydrothermal conditions, but could not stand well under long_term stress of soil moisture. Granier’s probes have the potential to accurately estimate stand transpiration, canopy conductance and their responses to environmental factor, extending the temporal and spatial scales in studying the ecological process of forest ecosystem.