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Long RW, Pratt RB, Jacobsen AL. Drought resistance in two populations of invasive Tamarix compared using multiple methods. TREE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 44:tpad140. [PMID: 38102766 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpad140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
An on-going question in plant hydraulic research is whether there is intra-specific variability and/or plasticity in xylem traits. Plasticity could be important in taxa that colonize diverse habitats. We used Tamarix, a non-native woody plant, to investigate population differences in hydraulic conductivity (Ks), vulnerability-to-embolism curves and vessel anatomy. We also conducted a season-long drought experiment to determine water potentials associated with crown dieback of field-grown plants. We measured vessel length and diameter, and compared visual (micro-computed tomography; microCT) and hydraulic methods to quantify percentage loss in hydraulic conductivity (PLC). Among plants grown in a common environment, we did not find differences in our measured traits between two populations of Tamarix that differ in salinity at their source habitats. This taxon is relatively vulnerable to embolism. Within samples, large diameter vessels displayed increased vulnerability to embolism. We found that the microCT method overestimated theoretical conductivity and underestimated PLC compared with the hydraulic method. We found agreement for water potentials leading to crown dieback and results from the hydraulic method. Saplings, grown under common conditions in the present study, did not differ in their xylem traits, but prior research has found difference among source-site grown adults. This suggests that plasticity may be key in the success of Tamarix occurring across a range of habits in the arid southwest USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall W Long
- Department of Biology, Lewis & Clark, 615 S Palantine Rd, Portland, OR 97219, USA
| | - R Brandon Pratt
- Department of Biology, California State University, Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale HWY, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA
| | - Anna L Jacobsen
- Department of Biology, California State University, Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale HWY, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA
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Wise MJ, Mudrak EL. Nutrient stress can have opposite effects on the ability of plants to tolerate foliar herbivory and floral herbivory. Oecologia 2023; 202:783-794. [PMID: 37596431 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05436-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Discovering how organisms respond to the combinations of stressors they face in their environment is an enduring challenge for ecologists. A particular focus has been how natural enemies and abiotic stressors faced by plants may interact in their effect on the ecology and evolution of plant defense strategies. Here, we report on the results of an experiment measuring how reproduction in the clonal herbaceous plant horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) is affected by damage by leaf-feeding and by flower-feeding herbivores-as well as how horsenettle's tolerance of these different types of herbivory may be altered by nutrient stress. Leaf herbivory by lace bugs reduced horsenettle's seed production and root growth, and the relative impacts were greater in fertilized than in nutrient-stressed plants. In contrast, simulated-floral herbivory reduced seed production to a similar degree in fertilized and nutrient-stressed plants. However, compensation for floral herbivory through increased root growth occurred to a much greater extent in the fertilized than in the nutrient-stressed plants. These results can be explained in terms of the limiting resource model of plant tolerance, with leaf damage interpreted as exacerbating carbon limitation in the fertilized plants and floral damage ameliorating carbon limitation in the fertilized plants. These results can be extended to predicting patterns in the field: Although plants in a nutrient-poor environment may have overall low fitness, they are likely to be more tolerant of leaf herbivores-though this benefit may be countered by lower tolerance of any floral herbivores that share the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Wise
- Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia, Boyce, VA, USA.
- Biology Department, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Longwood University, Farmville, VA, USA.
| | - Erika L Mudrak
- Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia, Boyce, VA, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
- Cornell Statistical Consulting Unit, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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Blumstein M, Gersony J, Martínez-Vilalta J, Sala A. Global variation in nonstructural carbohydrate stores in response to climate. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:1854-1869. [PMID: 36583374 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Woody plant species store nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) for many functions. While known to buffer against fluctuations in photosynthetic supply, such as at night, NSC stores are also thought to buffer against environmental extremes, such as drought or freezing temperatures by serving as either back-up energy reserves or osmolytes. However, a clear picture of how NSCs are shaped by climate is still lacking. Here, we update and leverage a unique global database of seasonal NSC storage measurements to examine whether maximum total NSC stores and the amount of soluble sugars are associated with clinal patterns in low temperatures or aridity, indicating they may confer a benefit under freezing or drought conditions. We examine patterns using the average climate at each study site and the unique climatic conditions at the time and place in which the sample was taken. Altogether, our results support the idea that NSC stores act as critical osmolytes. Soluble Sugars increase with both colder and drier conditions in aboveground tissues, indicating they can plastically increase a plants' tolerance of cold or arid conditions. However, maximum total NSCs increased, rather than decreased, with average site temperature and had no relationship to average site aridity. This result suggests that the total amount of NSC a plant stores may be more strongly determined by its capacity to assimilate carbon than by environmental stress. Thus, NSCs are unlikely to serve as reservoir of energy. This study is the most comprehensive synthesis to date of global NSC variation in relation to climate and supports the idea that NSC stores likely serve as buffers against environmental stress. By clarifying their role in cold and drought tolerance, we improve our ability to predict plant response to environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Blumstein
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jessica Gersony
- Department of Natural Resources, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jordi Martínez-Vilalta
- CREAF, E08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Catalonia, Spain
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Catalonia, Spain
| | - Anna Sala
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
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Long RW, Adams HD. The osmotic balancing act: When sugars matter for more than metabolism in woody plants. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:1684-1687. [PMID: 36545769 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Sugars and other non-structural carbohydrates are known to serve as currency in plants, to either fuel metabolic activities or as storage for later use. They can also serve non-metabolic purposes of osmoregulation and cryoprotection, especially in perennial woody plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall W Long
- Biology Department, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Henry D Adams
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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Palmquist EC, Ogle K, Whitham TG, Allan GJ, Shafroth PB, Butterfield BJ. Provenance, genotype, and flooding influence growth and resource acquisition characteristics in a clonal, riparian shrub. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2023; 110:e16115. [PMID: 36462152 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Riparian plants can exhibit intraspecific phenotypic variability across the landscape related to temperature and flooding gradients. Phenotypes that vary across a climate gradient are often partly genetically determined and may differ in their response to inundation. Changes to inundation patterns across a climate gradient could thus result in site-specific inundation responses. Phenotypic variability is more often studied in riparian trees, yet riparian shrubs are key elements of riparian systems and may differ from trees in phenotypic variability and environmental responses. METHODS We tested whether individuals of a clonal, riparian shrub, Pluchea sericea, collected from provenances spanning a temperature gradient differed in their phenotypes and responses to inundation and to what degree any differences were related to genotype. Plants were subjected to different inundation depths and a subset genotyped. Variables related to growth and resource acquisition were measured and analyzed using hierarchical, multivariate Bayesian linear regressions. RESULTS Individuals from different provenances differed in their phenotypes, but not in their response to inundation. Phenotypes were not related to provenance temperature but were partially governed by genotype. Growth was more strongly influenced by inundation, while resource acquisition was more strongly controlled by genotype. CONCLUSIONS Growth and resource acquisition responses in a clonal, riparian shrub are affected by changes to inundation and plant demographics in unique ways. Shrubs appear to differ from trees in their responses to environmental change. Understanding environmental effects on shrubs separately from those of trees will be a key part of evaluating impacts of environmental change on riparian ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Palmquist
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, 2255 N Gemini Dr, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Kiona Ogle
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Box 5693, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Thomas G Whitham
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
- Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes (CAWL), Northern Arizona University, Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Gerard J Allan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
- Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes (CAWL), Northern Arizona University, Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Patrick B Shafroth
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Bldg C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA
| | - Bradley J Butterfield
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Box 5640, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
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Hultine KR, Dehn D, Bush SE, Acharya K, D'Antonio C, Dudley TL, Healey J, Hull JB, Koepke DF, Long RW, Potts DL. Episodic defoliation rapidly reduces starch but not soluble sugars in an invasive shrub, Tamarix spp. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2021; 108:1343-1353. [PMID: 34415569 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Plants rely on pools of internal nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs: soluble sugars plus starch) to support metabolism, growth, and regrowth of tissues damaged from disturbance such as foliage herbivory. However, impacts of foliage herbivory on the quantity and composition of NSC pools in long-lived woody plants are currently unclear. We implemented a controlled defoliation experiment on mature Tamarix spp.-a dominant riparian woody shrub/tree that has evolved with intense herbivory pressure-to test two interrelated hypotheses: (1) Repeated defoliation disproportionately impacts aboveground versus belowground NSC storage. (2) Defoliation disproportionately impacts starch versus soluble sugar storage. METHODS Hypotheses were tested by transplanting six Tamarix seedlings into each of eight cylinder mesocosms (2 m diameter, 1 m in depth). After 2.5 years, plants in four of the eight mesocosms were mechanically defoliated repeatedly over a single growing season, and all plants were harvested in the following spring. RESULTS Defoliation had no impact on either above- or belowground soluble sugar pools. However, starch in defoliated plants dropped to 55% and 26% in stems and roots, respectively, relative to control plants, resulting in an over 2-fold higher soluble sugar to starch ratio in defoliated plants. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that defoliation occurring over a single growing season does not impact immediate plant functions such as osmoregulation, but depleted starch could limit future fitness, particularly where defoliation occurs over multiple years. These results improve our understanding of how woody plants cope with episodic defoliation caused by foliage herbivory and other disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Hultine
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, 85008, USA
| | - Donna Dehn
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, 85008, USA
| | - Susan E Bush
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, 85008, USA
| | - Kumud Acharya
- Division of Hydrological Sciences, Desert Research Institute, 755 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV, 89119, USA
| | - Carla D'Antonio
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California-Santa Barbara, Bldg 520, RM 4001, Fl 4 L, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Tom L Dudley
- Marine Science Institute, University of California-Santa Barbara, Bldg 520, RM 4001, Fl4L, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - John Healey
- Division of Hydrological Sciences, Desert Research Institute, 755 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV, 89119, USA
| | - Julia B Hull
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Dan F Koepke
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, 85008, USA
| | - Randall W Long
- Department of Research and Conservation, Holden Forests and Gardens, Kirtland, OH, 44094, USA
| | - Dan L Potts
- Biology Department, SUNY Buffalo State, Buffalo, NY, 14222, USA
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Long RW, Dudley TL, D'Antonio CM, Grady KC, Bush SE, Hultine KR. Spenders versus savers: Climate‐induced carbon allocation trade‐offs in a recently introduced woody plant. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Randall W. Long
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology University of California‐Santa Barbara Santa Barbara CA USA
| | - Tom L. Dudley
- Marine Science Institute University of California‐Santa Barbara Santa Barbara CA USA
| | - Carla M. D'Antonio
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology University of California‐Santa Barbara Santa Barbara CA USA
| | - Kevin C. Grady
- School of Forestry Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ USA
| | - Susan E. Bush
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections Desert Botanical Garden Phoenix AZ USA
| | - Kevin R. Hultine
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections Desert Botanical Garden Phoenix AZ USA
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Henry AL, González E, Robinson WW, Bourgeois B, Sher AA. Spatial modeling improves understanding patterns of invasive species defoliation by a biocontrol herbivore. Biol Invasions 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-018-1794-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Madliger CL, Love OP, Hultine KR, Cooke SJ. The conservation physiology toolbox: status and opportunities. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 6:coy029. [PMID: 29942517 PMCID: PMC6007632 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
For over a century, physiological tools and techniques have been allowing researchers to characterize how organisms respond to changes in their natural environment and how they interact with human activities or infrastructure. Over time, many of these techniques have become part of the conservation physiology toolbox, which is used to monitor, predict, conserve, and restore plant and animal populations under threat. Here, we provide a summary of the tools that currently comprise the conservation physiology toolbox. By assessing patterns in articles that have been published in 'Conservation Physiology' over the past 5 years that focus on introducing, refining and validating tools, we provide an overview of where researchers are placing emphasis in terms of taxa and physiological sub-disciplines. Although there is certainly diversity across the toolbox, metrics of stress physiology (particularly glucocorticoids) and studies focusing on mammals have garnered the greatest attention, with both comprising the majority of publications (>45%). We also summarize the types of validations that are actively being completed, including those related to logistics (sample collection, storage and processing), interpretation of variation in physiological traits and relevance for conservation science. Finally, we provide recommendations for future tool refinement, with suggestions for: (i) improving our understanding of the applicability of glucocorticoid physiology; (ii) linking multiple physiological and non-physiological tools; (iii) establishing a framework for plant conservation physiology; (iv) assessing links between environmental disturbance, physiology and fitness; (v) appreciating opportunities for validations in under-represented taxa; and (vi) emphasizing tool validation as a core component of research programmes. Overall, we are confident that conservation physiology will continue to increase its applicability to more taxa, develop more non-invasive techniques, delineate where limitations exist, and identify the contexts necessary for interpretation in captivity and the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine L Madliger
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Ontario, Canada
| | - Oliver P Love
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin R Hultine
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Steven J Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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