Fluid dynamics of flow networks with fluid-storage function

We study the dynamics of flow networks that are able to store fluid, by theoretically modeling networks with local fluid-storage capacitance. We develop a spatially explicit capacitive model which is able to capture the local changes of flow rate and fluid status (such as water potential and fluid content). This electrical-circuit analogue model is useful for the study of plant leaf hydraulics, in which water-storage capacitance is critical to the resilience and survival of plants in arid conditions such as a drought. Traditionally, lumped-element models of large-scale plant tissues are used for this hydraulic research. We take a novel approach for our modeling, and implement spatially varying capacitors and resistances through fluid pathways (corresponding to leaf xylem, stomatal pores and water-storage cells) to investigate their effects on the local status of the flow networks. We focus on the theoretical findings of our modeling, which reveal the importance of collaboration between capacitance and stomatal control to maintain leaf water status, and we discuss the applicability of the model to grass leaf hydraulics.