1
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Thompson RA, Malone SC, Peltier D, Six D, Robertson N, Oliveira C, McIntire CD, Pockman WT, McDowell NG, Trowbridge AM, Adams HD. Local carbon reserves are insufficient for phloem terpene induction during drought in Pinus edulis in response to bark beetle-associated fungi. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024. [PMID: 39149848 DOI: 10.1111/nph.20051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Stomatal closure during drought inhibits carbon uptake and may reduce a tree's defensive capacity. Limited carbon availability during drought may increase a tree's mortality risk, particularly if drought constrains trees' capacity to rapidly produce defenses during biotic attack. We parameterized a new model of conifer defense using physiological data on carbon reserves and chemical defenses before and after a simulated bark beetle attack in mature Pinus edulis under experimental drought. Attack was simulated using inoculations with a consistent bluestain fungus (Ophiostoma sp.) of Ips confusus, the main bark beetle colonizing this tree, to induce a defensive response. Trees with more carbon reserves produced more defenses but measured phloem carbon reserves only accounted for c. 23% of the induced defensive response. Our model predicted universal mortality if local reserves alone supported defense production, suggesting substantial remobilization and transport of stored resin or carbon reserves to the inoculation site. Our results show that de novo terpene synthesis represents only a fraction of the total measured phloem terpenes in P. edulis following fungal inoculation. Without direct attribution of phloem terpene concentrations to available carbon, many studies may be overestimating the scale and importance of de novo terpene synthesis in a tree's induced defense response.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Alex Thompson
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Shealyn C Malone
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Drew Peltier
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA
| | - Diana Six
- Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Nathan Robertson
- Biology Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Celso Oliveira
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | | | - William T Pockman
- Biology Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Nate G McDowell
- Atmospheric Sciences and Global Change Division, Pacific Northwest National Lab, PO Box 999, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, PO Box 644236, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Amy M Trowbridge
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Henry D Adams
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, PO Box 644236, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
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2
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Touloupakis E, Calegari Moia I, Zampieri RM, Cocozza C, Frassinelli N, Marchi E, Foderi C, Di Lorenzo T, Rezaie N, Muzzini VG, Traversi ML, Giovannelli A. Fire up Biosensor Technology to Assess the Vitality of Trees after Wildfires. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:373. [PMID: 39194602 DOI: 10.3390/bios14080373] [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: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The development of tools to quickly identify the fate of damaged trees after a stress event such as a wildfire is of great importance. In this context, an innovative approach to assess irreversible physiological damage in trees could help to support the planning of management decisions for disturbed sites to restore biodiversity, protect the environment and understand the adaptations of ecosystem functionality. The vitality of trees can be estimated by several physiological indicators, such as cambium activity and the amount of starch and soluble sugars, while the accumulation of ethanol in the cambial cells and phloem is considered an alarm sign of cell death. However, their determination requires time-consuming laboratory protocols, making the approach impractical in the field. Biosensors hold considerable promise for substantially advancing this field. The general objective of this review is to define a system for quantifying the plant vitality in forest areas exposed to fire. This review describes recent electrochemical biosensors that can detect plant molecules, focusing on biosensors for glucose, fructose, and ethanol as indicators of tree vitality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleftherios Touloupakis
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Isabela Calegari Moia
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Raffaella Margherita Zampieri
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Claudia Cocozza
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali-DAGRI, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via San Bonaventura 13, 50145 Firenze, Italy
| | - Niccolò Frassinelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali-DAGRI, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via San Bonaventura 13, 50145 Firenze, Italy
| | - Enrico Marchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali-DAGRI, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via San Bonaventura 13, 50145 Firenze, Italy
| | - Cristiano Foderi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali-DAGRI, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via San Bonaventura 13, 50145 Firenze, Italy
| | - Tiziana Di Lorenzo
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Negar Rezaie
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Valerio Giorgio Muzzini
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council, Research Area of Rome 1, Strada Provinciale 35d n. 9, Montelibretti, 00010 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Traversi
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Alessio Giovannelli
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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3
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Muffler L, Weigel R, Beil I, Leuschner C, Schmeddes J, Kreyling J. Winter and spring frost events delay leaf-out, hamper growth and increase mortality in European beech seedlings, with weaker effects of subsequent frosts. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70028. [PMID: 39041017 PMCID: PMC11260882 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The persistence of plant populations depends crucially on successful regeneration. Yet, little is known about the effects of consecutive winter and spring frost events on the regeneration stage of trees from different seed sources, although this will partly determine the success of climate warming-driven poleward range shifts. In a common garden experiment with European beech (Fagus sylvatica) seedlings from winter 2015/2016 to autumn 2017, we studied how simulated successive spring and winter frost events affect leaf-out dates, growth performance, and survival rates of 1- to 2-year-old seedlings from provenances differing in climate at origin. We further investigated the combined effects of successive frost events. The first spring frost after germination led to a mortality rate up to 75%, resulting in reduced seedling numbers but better frost tolerance of the survivors, as reflected in a weaker impact of the following winter frost event in the survivors compared to the non-acclimated control. Final plant height was most strongly reduced by the spring frost in the second year. The winter frost event delayed leaf-out by up to 40 days, leading to severe growth impairment in 2017. Our results indicate partly successful frost acclimation and/or the selection of frost-hardier individuals, because the negative growth effects of consecutive frost events did not add up after exposure to more than one event. Both mechanisms may help to increase the frost tolerance of beech offspring. Nevertheless, mortality after the first spring frost was high, and frost exposure generally caused growth reductions. Thus, achieving higher frost tolerance may not be sufficient for beech seedlings to overcome frost-induced reductions in competitive strength caused by winter frost damage and delayed leaf enfolding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Muffler
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystem ResearchUniversity of GoettingenGoettingenGermany
- Ecological‐Botanical GardenUniversity of BayreuthBayreuthGermany
| | - Robert Weigel
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystem ResearchUniversity of GoettingenGoettingenGermany
- Ecological‐Botanical GardenUniversity of BayreuthBayreuthGermany
| | - Ilka Beil
- Experimental Plant EcologyUniversity of GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
| | - Christoph Leuschner
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystem ResearchUniversity of GoettingenGoettingenGermany
| | - Jonas Schmeddes
- Experimental Plant EcologyUniversity of GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
| | - Juergen Kreyling
- Experimental Plant EcologyUniversity of GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
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4
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Ramirez JA, Craven D, Herrera D, Posada JM, Reu B, Sierra CA, Hoch G, Handa IT, Messier C. Non-structural carbohydrate concentrations in tree organs vary across biomes and leaf habits, but are independent of the fast-slow plant economic spectrum. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1375958. [PMID: 38766471 PMCID: PMC11099217 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1375958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Carbohydrate reserves play a vital role in plant survival during periods of negative carbon balance. Under a carbon-limited scenario, we expect a trade-offs between carbon allocation to growth, reserves, and defense. A resulting hypothesis is that carbon allocation to reserves exhibits a coordinated variation with functional traits associated with the 'fast-slow' plant economics spectrum. We tested the relationship between non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) of tree organs and functional traits using 61 angiosperm tree species from temperate and tropical forests with phylogenetic hierarchical Bayesian models. Our results provide evidence that NSC concentrations in stems and branches are decoupled from plant functional traits. while those in roots are weakly coupled with plant functional traits. In contrast, we found that variation between NSC concentrations in leaves and the fast-slow trait spectrum was coordinated, as species with higher leaf NSC had trait values associated with resource conservative species, such as lower SLA, leaf N, and leaf P. We also detected a small effect of leaf habit on the variation of NSC concentrations in branches and roots. Efforts to predict the response of ecosystems to global change will need to integrate a suite of plant traits, such as NSC concentrations in woody organs, that are independent of the 'fast-slow' plant economics spectrum and that capture how species respond to a broad range of global change drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Andres Ramirez
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
- Centre d’Étude de la Forêt (CEF), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Dylan Craven
- GEMA Center for Genomics, Ecology and Environment, Universidad Mayor, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
- Data Observatory Foundation, and Technology Center, Santiago, Chile
| | - David Herrera
- Department of Biogeochemical Processes, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
| | - Juan Manuel Posada
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Bjorn Reu
- School of Biology, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | | | - Guenter Hoch
- Department of Environmental Sciences – Botany, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ira Tanya Handa
- Centre d’Étude de la Forêt (CEF), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Christian Messier
- Centre d’Étude de la Forêt (CEF), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institut des Sciences de la Foret Tempérée, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Ripon, QC, Canada
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5
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Silvestro R, Mura C, Alano Bonacini D, de Lafontaine G, Faubert P, Mencuccini M, Rossi S. Local adaptation shapes functional traits and resource allocation in black spruce. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21257. [PMID: 38040772 PMCID: PMC10692160 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48530-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change is rapidly altering weather patterns, resulting in shifts in climatic zones. The survival of trees in specific locations depends on their functional traits. Local populations exhibit trait adaptations that ensure their survival and accomplishment of growth and reproduction processes during the growing season. Studying these traits offers valuable insights into species responses to present and future environmental conditions, aiding the implementation of measures to ensure forest resilience and productivity. This study investigates the variability in functional traits among five black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) provenances originating from a latitudinal gradient along the boreal forest, and planted in a common garden in Quebec, Canada. We examined differences in bud phenology, growth performance, lifetime first reproduction, and the impact of a late-frost event on tree growth and phenological adjustments. The findings revealed that trees from northern sites exhibit earlier budbreak, lower growth increments, and reach reproductive maturity earlier than those from southern sites. Late-frost damage affected growth performance, but no phenological adjustment was observed in the successive year. Local adaptation in the functional traits may lead to maladaptation of black spruce under future climate conditions or serve as a potent evolutionary force promoting rapid adaptation under changing environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Silvestro
- Laboratoire sur les écosystèmes terrestres boréaux, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555 Boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, QC, G7H2B1, Canada.
| | - C Mura
- Laboratoire sur les écosystèmes terrestres boréaux, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555 Boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, QC, G7H2B1, Canada
| | - D Alano Bonacini
- Laboratoire sur les écosystèmes terrestres boréaux, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555 Boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, QC, G7H2B1, Canada
| | - G de Lafontaine
- Canada Research Chair in Integrative Biology of the Northern Flora, Département de biologie, chimie et Géographie, Centre for Northern Studies, Centre for Forest Research, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC, Canada
| | - P Faubert
- Laboratoire sur les écosystèmes terrestres boréaux, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555 Boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, QC, G7H2B1, Canada
- Carbone boréal, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555 Boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, QC, G7H 2B1, Canada
| | - M Mencuccini
- Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig de Lluis Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Rossi
- Laboratoire sur les écosystèmes terrestres boréaux, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555 Boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, QC, G7H2B1, Canada
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6
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Peltier DMP, Carbone MS, Enright M, Marshall MC, Trowbridge AM, LeMoine J, Koch G, Richardson AD. Old reserves and ancient buds fuel regrowth of coast redwood after catastrophic fire. NATURE PLANTS 2023; 9:1978-1985. [PMID: 38036621 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01581-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
For long-lived organisms, investment in insurance strategies such as reserve energy storage can enable resilience to resource deficits, stress or catastrophic disturbance. Recent fire in California damaged coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) groves, consuming all foliage on some of the tallest and oldest trees on Earth. Burned trees recovered through resprouting from roots, trunk and branches, necessarily supported by nonstructural carbon reserves. Nonstructural carbon reserves can be many years old, but direct use of old carbon has rarely been documented and never in such large, old trees. We found some sprouts contained the oldest carbon ever observed to be remobilized for growth. For certain trees, simulations estimate up to half of sprout carbon was acquired in photosynthesis more than 57 years prior, and direct observations in sapwood show trees can access reserves at least as old. Sprouts also emerged from ancient buds-dormant under bark for centuries. For organisms with millennial lifespans, traits enabling survival of infrequent but catastrophic events may represent an important energy sink. Remobilization of decades-old photosynthate after disturbance demonstrates substantial amounts of nonstructural carbon within ancient trees cycles on slow, multidecadal timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew M P Peltier
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA.
| | - Mariah S Carbone
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Melissa Enright
- Pacific Northwest Research Station, US Forest Service, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Margaret C Marshall
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Amy M Trowbridge
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jim LeMoine
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - George Koch
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Andrew D Richardson
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
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7
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Yu B, Rossi S, Su H, Zhao P, Zhang S, Hu B, Li X, Chen L, Liang H, Huang JG. Mismatch between primary and secondary growth and its consequences on wood formation in Qinghai spruce. TREE PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 43:1886-1902. [PMID: 37584475 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpad097] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
The connections between the primary and secondary growth of trees allows better understanding of the dynamics of carbon sequestration in forest ecosystems. The relationship between primary and secondary growth of trees could change due to the diverging responses of meristems to climate warming. In this study, the bud phenology and radial growth dynamics of Qinghai spruce (Picea crassifolia) in arid and semi-arid areas of China in 2019 and 2020 were weekly monitored to analyze their response to different weather conditions and their links with carbon sink. Xylem anatomical traits (i.e. lumen radial diameter and cell wall thickness) were quantified along cell radial files after the end of xylem lignification to calculate the early-to-latewood transition date. Winter and early spring (January-March) were warmer in 2020 with a colder April compared with 2019. Precipitation in April-June was lower in 2020 than in 2019. In 2019, bud phenology occurred earlier, while the onset of xylem formation and the early-to-latewood transition date were delayed. The duration from the beginning of split bud and exposed shoot to the early-to-latewood transition date was positively correlated with the radial width of earlywood (accounting for ~80% of xylem width) and total xylem width. The longer duration of xylem cell division did not increase xylem cell production and radial width. Moreover, the duration from bud burst to the early-to-latewood transition date in 2020 was negatively linked with early phloem cell production as compared with 2019. Our findings suggest that warm conditions in winter and early spring promote the xylogenesis of Qinghai spruce, but might delay bud burst. However, the xylem width increments largely depend on the duration from bud burst to the start of latewood cell division rather than on the earlier xylogenesis and longer duration of xylem cell differentiation induced by warm conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biyun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Environment Change and Resources Use in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Education, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Intelligent Simulation, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Sergio Rossi
- Laboratoire sur les écosystèmes terrestres boréaux, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, Québec G7H2B1, Canada
| | - Hongxin Su
- Key Laboratory of Environment Change and Resources Use in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Education, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Intelligent Simulation, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Shaokang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Baoqing Hu
- Key Laboratory of Environment Change and Resources Use in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Education, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Intelligent Simulation, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Xuebin Li
- Key Laboratory of Restoration and Reconstruction of Degraded Ecosystem in Northwest China, Ningxia University, Ministry of Education, Yinchuan 750021, China
- Breeding Base for State Key Laboratory of Land Degradation and Ecological Restoration in Northwest China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
- College of Ecology and Environment, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Restoration and Reconstruction of Degraded Ecosystem in Northwest China, Ningxia University, Ministry of Education, Yinchuan 750021, China
- Breeding Base for State Key Laboratory of Land Degradation and Ecological Restoration in Northwest China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
- College of Ecology and Environment, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Hanxue Liang
- Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration of Loess Plateau, Institute of Loess Plateau, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Jian-Guo Huang
- Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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8
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Peltier DMP, Carbone MS, McIntire CD, Robertson N, Thompson RA, Malone S, LeMoine J, Richardson AD, McDowell NG, Adams HD, Pockman WT, Trowbridge AM. Carbon starvation following a decade of experimental drought consumes old reserves in Pinus edulis. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:92-104. [PMID: 37430467 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Shifts in the age or turnover time of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) may underlie changes in tree growth under long-term increases in drought stress associated with climate change. But NSC responses to drought are challenging to quantify, due in part to large NSC stores in trees and subsequently long response times of NSC to climate variation. We measured NSC age (Δ14 C) along with a suite of ecophysiological metrics in Pinus edulis trees experiencing either extreme short-term drought (-90% ambient precipitation plot, 2020-2021) or a decade of severe drought (-45% plot, 2010-2021). We tested the hypothesis that carbon starvation - consumption exceeding synthesis and storage - increases the age of sapwood NSC. One year of extreme drought had no impact on NSC pool size or age, despite significant reductions in predawn water potential, photosynthetic rates/capacity, and twig and needle growth. By contrast, long-term drought halved the age of the sapwood NSC pool, coupled with reductions in sapwood starch concentrations (-75%), basal area increment (-39%), and bole respiration rates (-28%). Our results suggest carbon starvation takes time, as tree carbon reserves appear resilient to extreme disturbance in the short term. However, after a decade of drought, trees apparently consumed old stored NSC to support metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew M P Peltier
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Mariah S Carbone
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Cameron D McIntire
- Northeastern Area State, Private, and Tribal Forestry, USDA Forest Service, 271 Mast Road, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - Nathan Robertson
- Biology Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, USA
| | - R Alex Thompson
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99163, USA
| | - Shealyn Malone
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Jim LeMoine
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Andrew D Richardson
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Nate G McDowell
- Atmospheric Sciences and Global Change Division, Pacific Northwest National Lab, PO Box 999, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, PO Box 644236, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Henry D Adams
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99163, USA
| | - William T Pockman
- Biology Department, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, USA
| | - Amy M Trowbridge
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
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9
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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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10
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Rezaie N, D'Andrea E, Scartazza A, Gričar J, Prislan P, Calfapietra C, Battistelli A, Moscatello S, Proietti S, Matteucci G. Upside down and the game of C allocation. TREE PHYSIOLOGY 2023:tpad034. [PMID: 36917230 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpad034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) represent the primary carbon (C) reserves and play a crucial role for plant functioning and resilience. Indeed, these compounds are involved in the regulation between C supply and demand, and in the maintenance of hydraulic efficiency. NSCs are stored in parenchyma of woody organs, which is recognized as a proxy for reserve storage capacity of tree. Notwithstanding the importance of NSCs for tree physiology, their long-term regulation and trade-offs against growth were not deeply investigated. This work evaluated the long-term dynamics of mature tree reserves in stem and root, proxied by parenchyma features, and focusing on the trade off and interplay between the resources allocation in radial growth and reserves in stem and coarse root. In a Mediterranean beech forest, NSCs content, stem and root wood anatomy analysis, and eddy covariance data, were combined. The parenchyma fraction (RAP) of beech root and stem was different, due to differences in axial parenchyma (AP) and narrow ray parenchyma (nRP) fractions. However, these parenchyma components and radial growth showed synchronous inter-annual dynamics between the two organs. In beech stem, positive correlations were found among soluble sugars content and nRP, and among starch content and the AP. Positive correlations were found among Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) and AP of both organs. In contrast, NEE was negatively correlated to radial growth of root and stem. Our results suggest a different contribution of stem and roots to reserves storage, and a putative partitioning in the functional roles of parenchyma components. Moreover, a long-term trade-off of C allocation between growth and reserve pool was evidenced. Indeed, in case of C source reduction, trees preferentially allocate C towards reserves pool. Conversely, in high productive years, growth represents the major C sink.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Rezaie
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), Via P. Castellino n. 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Ettore D'Andrea
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), via Marconi 2, 05010 Porano (TR), Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Scartazza
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Jožica Gričar
- Slovenian Forestry Institute, Večna pot 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Prislan
- Slovenian Forestry Institute, Večna pot 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Carlo Calfapietra
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), via Marconi 2, 05010 Porano (TR), Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Alberto Battistelli
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), via Marconi 2, 05010 Porano (TR), Italy
| | - Stefano Moscatello
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), via Marconi 2, 05010 Porano (TR), Italy
| | - Simona Proietti
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), via Marconi 2, 05010 Porano (TR), Italy
| | - Giorgio Matteucci
- Institute for BioEconomy, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IBE), via Madonna del Piano, 10 - 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
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11
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Scartazza A, Sbrana C, D'Andrea E, Matteucci G, Rezaie N, Lauteri M. Above- and belowground interplay: Canopy CO 2 uptake, carbon and nitrogen allocation and isotope fractionation along the plant-ectomycorrhiza continuum. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:889-900. [PMID: 36541420 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14519] [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: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In forests, mycorrhizal fungi regulate carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics. We evaluated the interplay among ectomycorrhizas (ECM), ecosystem C fluxes, tree productivity, C and N exchange and isotopic fractionation along the soil-ECM-plant continuum in a Mediterranean beech forest. From bud break to leaf shedding, we monitored: net ecosystem exchange (NEE, a measure of the net exchange of C between an ecosystem and the atmosphere), leaf area index, stem growth, N concentration, δ13 C and δ15 N in rhizosphere soil, ectomycorrhizal fine root tips (ERT), ECM-free fine root portions (NCR) and leaves. Seasonal changes in ERT relative biomass were strictly related to NEE and mimicked those detected in the radial growth. The analysis of δ13 C in ERT, leaves and NCR highlighted the impact of canopy photosynthesis on ERT development and an asynchronous seasonal C allocation strategy between ERT and NCR at the root tips level. Concerning N, δ15 N of leaves was negatively related to that of ERT and dependent on seasonal 15 N differences between ERT and NCR. Our results unravel a synchronous C allocation towards ERT and tree stem driven by the increasing NEE in spring-early summer. Moreover, they highlighted a phenology-dependent 15 N fractionation during N transfer from ECM to their hosts. This evidence, obtained in mature beech trees under natural conditions, may improve the knowledge of Mediterranean forests functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Scartazza
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), Pisa, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Cristiana Sbrana
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IBBA), Pisa, Italy
| | - Ettore D'Andrea
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), Porano, Italy
| | - Giorgio Matteucci
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
- Institute for BioEconomy, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IBE), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Negar Rezaie
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), Napoli, Italy
| | - Marco Lauteri
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), Porano, Italy
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12
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Tonelli E, Vitali A, Malandra F, Camarero JJ, Colangelo M, Nolè A, Ripullone F, Carrer M, Urbinati C. Tree-ring and remote sensing analyses uncover the role played by elevation on European beech sensitivity to late spring frost. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159239. [PMID: 36208754 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159239] [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: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Extreme climate events such as late spring frosts (LSFs) negatively affect productivity and tree growth in temperate beech forests. However, detailed information on how these forests recover after such events are still missing. We investigated how LSFs affected forest cover and radial growth in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) populations located at different elevations at four sites in the Italian Apennines, where LSFs have been recorded. We combined tree-ring and remote-sensing data to analyse the sensitivity and recovery capacity of beech populations to LSFs. Using daily temperature records, we reconstructed LSF events and assessed legacy effects on growth. We also evaluated the role played by elevation and stand structure as modulators of LSFs impacts. Finally, using satellite images we computed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and LAI (Leaf Area Index) to evaluate the post-LSF canopy recovery. The growth reduction in LSF-affected trees ranged from 36 % to 84 %. We detected a negative impact of LSF on growth only during the LSF year, with growth recovery occurring within 1-2 years after the event. LSF-affected stands featured low vegetation indices until late June, i.e. on average 75 days after the frost events. We did not find a clear relationship between beech forest elevation and occurrence of LSFs defoliations. Our results indicate a high recovery capacity of common beech and no legacy effects of LSFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Tonelli
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vitali
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Francesco Malandra
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - J Julio Camarero
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE, CSIC), Apdo. 202, 50192 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Michele Colangelo
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE, CSIC), Apdo. 202, 50192 Zaragoza, Spain; School of Agricultural, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences (SAFE), University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Angelo Nolè
- School of Agricultural, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences (SAFE), University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Francesco Ripullone
- School of Agricultural, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences (SAFE), University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Marco Carrer
- Universitá degli Studi di Padova, Dipartimento Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali (TeSAF), Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Carlo Urbinati
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
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13
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Frost-Associated Defoliation in Populus tremuloides Causes Repeated Growth Reductions Over 185 years. Ecosystems 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-022-00799-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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14
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Cho N, Agossou C, Kim E, Lim JH, Hwang T, Kang S. Recent field findings and modeling on non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs): How to synthesize? ECOL INFORM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2022.101695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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15
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Rubio-Cuadrado Á, Camarero JJ, Rodríguez-Calcerrada J, Perea R, Gómez C, Montes F, Gil L. Impact of successive spring frosts on leaf phenology and radial growth in three deciduous tree species with contrasting climate requirements in central Spain. TREE PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 41:2279-2292. [PMID: 34046675 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpab076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Rear-edge tree populations forming the equatorward limit of distribution of temperate species are assumed to be more adapted to climate variability than central (core) populations. However, climate is expected to become more variable and the frequency of climate extremes is forecasted to increase. Climatic extreme events such as heat waves, dry spells and spring frosts could become more frequent, and negatively impact and jeopardize rear-edge stands. To evaluate these ideas, we analyzed the growth response of trees to successive spring frosts in a mixed forest, where two temperate deciduous species, Fagus sylvatica L. (European beech) and Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. (sessile oak), both at their southernmost edge, coexist with the Mediterranean Quercus pyrenaica Willd. (Pyrenean oak). Growth reductions in spring-frost years ranked across species as F. sylvatica > Q. petraea > Q. pyrenaica. Leaf flushing occurred earlier in F. sylvatica and later in Q. pyrenaica, suggesting that leaf phenology was a strong determinant of spring frost damage and stem growth reduction. The frost impact depended on prior climate conditions, since warmer days prior to frost occurrence predisposed to frost damage. Autumn Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data showed delayed leaf senescence in spring-frost years and subsequent years as compared with pre-frost years. In the studied forest, the negative impact of spring frosts on Q. petraea and especially on F. sylvatica growth, was considerably higher than the impacts due to drought. The succession of four spring frosts in the last two decades determined a trend of decreasing resistance of radial growth to frosts in F. sylvatica. The increased frequency of spring frosts might prevent the expansion and persistence of F. sylvatica in this rear-edge Mediterranean population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Rubio-Cuadrado
- Departamento de Sistemas y Recursos Naturales, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, c/ José Antonio Novais, 10, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - J Julio Camarero
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (IPE-CSIC), Avda Montañana 1005, Zaragoza 50080, Spain
| | - Jesús Rodríguez-Calcerrada
- Departamento de Sistemas y Recursos Naturales, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, c/ José Antonio Novais, 10, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Ramón Perea
- Departamento de Sistemas y Recursos Naturales, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, c/ José Antonio Novais, 10, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Cristina Gómez
- iuFOR-EiFAB, Campus Duques de Soria, Universidad de Valladolid, Soria 42004, Spain
| | - Fernando Montes
- INIA, Forest Research Centre, Department of Silviculture and Forest Management, Crta La Coruña km 7.5, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Luis Gil
- Departamento de Sistemas y Recursos Naturales, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, c/ José Antonio Novais, 10, Madrid 28040, Spain
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16
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D'Andrea E, Scartazza A, Battistelli A, Collalti A, Proietti S, Rezaie N, Matteucci G, Moscatello S. Unravelling resilience mechanisms in forests: role of non-structural carbohydrates in responding to extreme weather events. TREE PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 41:1808-1818. [PMID: 33823054 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpab044] [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: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity due to global climate change. We hypothesized that tree carbon reserves are crucial for resilience of beech, buffering the source-sink imbalance due to late frosts and summer droughts, and that different components of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) play specific roles in coping with stressful situations. To assess the compound effects on mature trees of two extreme weather events, first a late frost in spring 2016 and then a drought in summer 2017, we monitored the phenology, radial growth and the dynamics of starch and soluble sugars in a Mediterranean beech forest. A growth reduction of 85% was observed after the spring late frost, yet not after the drought event. We observed a strong impact of late frost on starch, which also affected its dynamic at the beginning of the subsequent vegetative season. In 2017, the increase of soluble sugars, associated with starch hydrolysis, played a crucial role in coping with the severe summer drought. Non-structural carbohydrates helped to counteract the negative effects of both events, supporting plant survival and buffering source-sink imbalances under stressful conditions. Our findings indicate a strong trade-off between growth and NSC storage in trees. Overall, our results highlight the key role of NSCs on beech trees, response to extreme weather events, confirming the resilience of this species to highly stressful events. These insights are useful for assessing how forests may respond to the potential impacts of climate change on ecosystem processes in the Mediterranean area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore D'Andrea
- Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-ISAFOM), P. le Enrico Fermi 1 - Loc. Porto del Granatello, 80055 Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Scartazza
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Battistelli
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), via Marconi 2, 05010 Porano, Terni, Italy
| | - Alessio Collalti
- Forest Modelling Laboratory, Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Systems in the Mediterranean, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-ISAFOM), Via Madonna Alta 128, 06128 Perugia, Italy
- Department of Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, via San Camillo de Lellis, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Simona Proietti
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), via Marconi 2, 05010 Porano, Terni, Italy
| | - Negar Rezaie
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), via Marconi 2, 05010 Porano, Terni, Italy
| | - Giorgio Matteucci
- Institute for BioEconomy, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IBE), via Madonna del Piano, 10 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Moscatello
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET), via Marconi 2, 05010 Porano, Terni, Italy
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17
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Zhang P, McDowell NG, Zhou X, Wang W, Leff RT, Pivovaroff AL, Zhang H, Chow PS, Ward ND, Indivero J, Yabusaki SB, Waichler S, Bailey VL. Declining carbohydrate content of Sitka-spruce treesdying from seawater exposure. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 185:1682-1696. [PMID: 33893814 PMCID: PMC8133543 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Increasing sea levels associated with climate change threaten the survival of coastal forests, yet the mechanisms by which seawater exposure causes tree death remain poorly understood. Despite the potentially crucial role of nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) reserves in tree survival, their dynamics in the process of death under seawater exposure are unknown. Here we monitored progressive tree mortality and associated NSC storage in Sitka-spruce (Picea sitchensis) trees dying under ecosystem-scale increases in seawater exposure in western Washington, USA. All trees exposed to seawater, because of monthly tidal intrusion, experienced declining crown foliage during the sampling period, and individuals with a lower percentage of live foliated crown (PLFC) died faster. Tree PLFC was strongly correlated with subsurface salinity and needle ion contents. Total NSC concentrations in trees declined remarkably with crown decline, and reached extremely low levels at tree death (2.4% and 1.6% in leaves and branches, respectively, and 0.4% in stems and roots). Starch in all tissues was almost completely consumed, while sugars remained at a homeostatic level in foliage. The decreasing NSC with closer proximity to death and near zero starch at death are evidences that carbon starvation occurred during Sitka-spruce mortality during seawater exposure. Our results highlight the importance of carbon storage as an indicator of tree mortality risks under seawater exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Zhang
- Center for Global Change and Ecological Forecasting, Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
- Atmospheric Sciences & Global Change, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Nate G McDowell
- Atmospheric Sciences & Global Change, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4236, USA
| | - Xuhui Zhou
- Center for Global Change and Ecological Forecasting, Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
- Author for communication:
| | - Wenzhi Wang
- Atmospheric Sciences & Global Change, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Riley T Leff
- Atmospheric Sciences & Global Change, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Alexandria L Pivovaroff
- Atmospheric Sciences & Global Change, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Hongxia Zhang
- Atmospheric Sciences & Global Change, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Pak S Chow
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2R3
| | - Nicholas D Ward
- Marine Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sequim, Washington 98382, USA
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Julia Indivero
- Marine Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sequim, Washington 98382, USA
| | - Steven B Yabusaki
- Earth Systems Science, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Scott Waichler
- Earth Systems Science, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Vanessa L Bailey
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
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18
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Olano JM, García-Cervigón AI, Sangüesa-Barreda G, Rozas V, Muñoz-Garachana D, García-Hidalgo M, García-Pedrero Á. Satellite data and machine learning reveal the incidence of late frost defoliations on Iberian beech forests. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02288. [PMID: 33423382 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Climate warming is driving an advance of leaf unfolding date in temperate deciduous forests, promoting longer growing seasons and higher carbon gains. However, an earlier leaf phenology also increases the risk of late frost defoliation (LFD) events. Compiling the spatiotemporal patterns of defoliations caused by spring frost events is critical to unveil whether the balance between the current advance in leaf unfolding dates and the frequency of LFD occurrence is changing and represents a threaten for the future viability and persistence of deciduous forests. We combined satellite imagery with machine learning techniques to reconstruct the spatiotemporal patterns of LFD events for the 2003-2018 period in the Iberian range of European beech (Fagus sylvatica), at the drier distribution edge of the species. We used MODIS Vegetation Index Products to generate a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series for each 250 × 250 m pixel in a total area of 1,013 km2 (16,218 pixels). A semi-supervised approach was used to train a machine learning model, in which a binary classifier called Support Vector Machine with Global Alignment Kernel was used to differentiate between late frost and non-late frost pixels. We verified the obtained estimates with photointerpretation and existing beech tree-ring chronologies to iteratively improve the model. Then, we used the model output to identify topographical and climatic factors that determined the spatial incidence of LFD. During the study period, LFD was a low recurrence phenomenon that occurred every 15.2 yr on average and showed high spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Most LFD events were condensed in 5 yr and clustered in western forests (86.5% in one-fifth of the pixels) located at high elevation with lower than average precipitation. Elevation and longitude were the major LFD risk factors, followed by annual precipitation. The synergistic effects of increasing drought intensity and rising temperature combined with more frequent late frost events may determine the future performance and distribution of beech forests. This interaction might be critical at the beech drier range edge, where the concentration of LFD at high elevations could constrain beech altitudinal shifts and/or favor species with higher resistance to late frosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Miguel Olano
- iuFOR-EiFAB, University of Valladolid, Campus Duques de Soria, Soria, E-42004, Spain
| | - Ana I García-Cervigón
- Department of Biology and Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, Rey Juan Carlos University, c/Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, E-28933, Spain
| | | | - Vicente Rozas
- iuFOR-EiFAB, University of Valladolid, Campus Duques de Soria, Soria, E-42004, Spain
| | - Diego Muñoz-Garachana
- iuFOR-EiFAB, University of Valladolid, Campus Duques de Soria, Soria, E-42004, Spain
| | - Miguel García-Hidalgo
- iuFOR-EiFAB, University of Valladolid, Campus Duques de Soria, Soria, E-42004, Spain
| | - Ángel García-Pedrero
- Department of Computer Architecture and Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Boadilla del Monte, E-28660, Spain
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19
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Wang Z, Zhou Z, Wang C. Defoliation-induced tree growth declines are jointly limited by carbon source and sink activities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 762:143077. [PMID: 33131880 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143077] [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: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Defoliation resulting from herbivory, storm, drought, and frost may seriously impair tree growth and forest production. However, a comprehensive evaluation of defoliation impacts on tree carbon (C) assimilation and growth has not been conducted. We performed a meta-analysis of a dataset that included 1562 observations of 40 tree species from 50 studies worldwide, and evaluated defoliation impacts on photosynthetic capacity, C allocation, and tree growth. Our results showed that the reduced tree-level leaf area by defoliation outweighed the enhanced leaf-level photosynthesis, leading to a net reduction in tree C assimilation that was accompanied with decreases in nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) concentrations. The negative effects of defoliation on leaf NSCs decreased over time, but leaf production increased following defoliation, suggesting a shift in the C allocation towards shoots over roots. Defoliation intensity negatively affected tree growth, but post-defoliated recovery time did oppositely. The structure equation modelling showed that defoliation reduced tree growth mainly by indirectly reducing C assimilation (r = -0.4), and minorly by direct negative effect of defoliation intensity (r = -0.28) and positive effect of post-defoliated time (r = 0.33). These findings suggest that tree growth declines caused by defoliation are co-limited by C-source and sink activities, which provide a physiological basis of tree growth that is of significance in tree growth modelling and forest management under global changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoguo Wang
- Center for Ecological Research, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin 150040, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management - Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Zhenghu Zhou
- Center for Ecological Research, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin 150040, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management - Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Chuankuan Wang
- Center for Ecological Research, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin 150040, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management - Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.
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Zhang Z, Gong J, Li X, Ding Y, Wang B, Shi J, Liu M, Yang B. Underlying mechanism on source-sink carbon balance of grazed perennial grass during regrowth: Insights into optimal grazing regimes of restoration of degraded grasslands in a temperate steppe. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 277:111439. [PMID: 33035939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111439] [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: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Overgrazing is the main driver of grassland degradation and productivity reduction in northern China. The restoration of degraded grasslands depends on optimal grazing regimes that modify the source-sink balance to promote best carbon (C) assimilation and allocation, thereby promoting rapid compensatory growth of the grazed plants. We used in situ13CO2 labeling and field regrowth studies of Stipa grandis P.A. Smirn.to examine the effects of different grazing intensities (light, medium, heavy, and grazing exclusion) on photosynthetic C assimilation and partitioning, on reallocation of non-structural carbohydrates during regrowth, and on the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Light grazing increased the sink demand of newly expanded leaves and significantly promoted 13C fixation by increasing the photosynthetic capacity of the leaves and accelerating fructose transfer from the stem. Although C assimilation decreased under medium and heavy grazing, S. grandis exhibited a tolerance strategy that preferentially allocated more starch and 13C to the roots for storage to balance sink competition between newly expanded leaves and the roots. Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SS), and other plant hormones regulated source-sink imbalances during regrowth. Abscisic acid promoted accumulation of aboveground biomass by stimulating stem SPS activity, whereas jasmonate increased root starch synthesis, thereby increasing belowground biomass. Overall, S. grandis could optimize source-sink relationships and above- and belowground C allocation to support regrowth after grazing by the regulating activities of SPS, SS and other hormones. These results provide new insights into C budgets under grazing and guidance for sustainable grazing management in semi-arid grasslands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihe Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Protection and Utilization, Faculty of Geographical Science, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Jirui Gong
- Key Laboratory of Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Protection and Utilization, Faculty of Geographical Science, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Xiaobing Li
- Key Laboratory of Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Protection and Utilization, Faculty of Geographical Science, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Yong Ding
- Grassland Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 120 Ulanqab East Street, Saihan District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010021, China.
| | - Biao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Protection and Utilization, Faculty of Geographical Science, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Jiayu Shi
- Key Laboratory of Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Protection and Utilization, Faculty of Geographical Science, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tourism and Resources Environment, Taishan University, Tai'an, Shandong province, 271021, China.
| | - Bo Yang
- Key Laboratory of Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Protection and Utilization, Faculty of Geographical Science, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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Buras A, Rammig A, Zang CS. The European Forest Condition Monitor: Using Remotely Sensed Forest Greenness to Identify Hot Spots of Forest Decline. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:689220. [PMID: 34925391 PMCID: PMC8672298 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.689220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Forest decline, in course of climate change, has become a frequently observed phenomenon. Much of the observed decline has been associated with an increasing frequency of climate change induced hotter droughts while decline induced by flooding, late-frost, and storms also play an important role. As a consequence, tree mortality rates have increased across the globe. Despite numerous studies that have assessed forest decline and predisposing factors for tree mortality, we still lack an in-depth understanding of (I) underlying eco-physiological mechanisms, (II) the influence of varying environmental conditions related to soil, competition, and micro-climate, and (III) species-specific strategies to cope with prolonged environmental stress. To deepen our knowledge within this context, studying tree performance within larger networks seems a promising research avenue. Ideally such networks are already established during the actual period of environmental stress. One approach for identifying stressed forests suitable for such monitoring networks is to assess measures related to tree vitality in near real-time across large regions by means of satellite-borne remote sensing. Within this context, we introduce the European Forest Condition monitor (EFCM)-a remote-sensing based, freely available, interactive web information tool. The EFCM depicts forest greenness (as approximated using NDVI from MODIS at a spatial resolution of roughly 5.3 hectares) for the pixel-specific growing season across Europe and consequently allows for guiding research within the context of concurrent forest performance. To allow for inter-temporal comparability and account for pixel-specific features, all observations are set in relation to normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) records over the monitoring period beginning in 2001. The EFCM provides both a quantile-based and a proportion-based product, thereby allowing for both relative and absolute comparison of forest greenness over the observational record. Based on six specific examples related to spring phenology, drought, late-frost, tree die-back on water-logged soils, an ice storm, and windthrow we exemplify how the EFCM may help identifying hotspots of extraordinary forest greenness. We discuss advantages and limitations when monitoring forest condition at large scales on the basis of moderate resolution remote sensing products to guide users toward an appropriate interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Buras
- Land Surface-Atmosphere Interactions, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
- *Correspondence: Allan Buras
| | - Anja Rammig
- Land Surface-Atmosphere Interactions, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - Christian S. Zang
- Land Surface-Atmosphere Interactions, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
- Forests and Climate Change, Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, Freising, Germany
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D'Andrea E, Rezaie N, Prislan P, Gričar J, Collalti A, Muhr J, Matteucci G. Frost and drought: Effects of extreme weather events on stem carbon dynamics in a Mediterranean beech forest. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2020; 43:2365-2379. [PMID: 32705694 DOI: 10.1111/pce.13858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The effects of short-term extreme events on tree functioning and physiology are still rather elusive. European beech is one of the most sensitive species to late frost and water shortage. We investigated the intra-annual C dynamics in stems under such conditions. Wood formation and stem CO2 efflux were monitored in a Mediterranean beech forest for 3 years (2015-2017), including a late frost (2016) and a summer drought (2017). The late frost reduced radial growth and, consequently, the amount of carbon fixed in the stem biomass by 80%. Stem carbon dioxide efflux in 2016 was reduced by 25%, which can be attributed to the reduction of effluxes due to growth respiration. Counter to our expectations, we found no effects of the 2017 summer drought on radial growth and stem carbon efflux. The studied extreme weather events had various effects on tree growth. Even though late spring frost had a strong impact on beech radial growth in the current year, trees fully recovered in the following growing season, indicating high resilience of beech to this stressful event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore D'Andrea
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Systems in the Mediterranean (CNR-ISAFOM), Ercolano, Naples, Italy
| | - Negar Rezaie
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Systems in the Mediterranean (CNR-ISAFOM), Ercolano, Naples, Italy
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Centro Ricerca Ingegneria e Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (CREA-IT), Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessio Collalti
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Systems in the Mediterranean (CNR-ISAFOM), Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- Department of Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Jan Muhr
- Bioclimatology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Biogeochemical Processes, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
| | - Giorgio Matteucci
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Systems in the Mediterranean (CNR-ISAFOM), Ercolano, Naples, Italy
- Institute for BioEconomy (CNR-IBE), National Research Council of Italy, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
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Herrera-Ramírez D, Muhr J, Hartmann H, Römermann C, Trumbore S, Sierra CA. Probability distributions of nonstructural carbon ages and transit times provide insights into carbon allocation dynamics of mature trees. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 226:1299-1311. [PMID: 31997347 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
●In trees, the use of nonstructural carbon (NSC) under limiting conditions impacts the age structure of the NSC pools. We compared model predictions of NSC ages and transit times for Pinus halepensis, Acer rubrum and Pinus taeda, to understand differences in carbon (C) storage dynamics in species with different leaf phenology and growth environments. ●We used two C allocation models from the literature to estimate the NSC age and transit time distributions, to simulate C limitation, and to evaluate the sensitivity of the mean ages to changes in allocation fluxes. ●Differences in allocation resulted in different NSC age and transit time distributions. The simulated starvation flattened the NSC age distribution and increased the mean NSC transit time, which can be used to estimate the age of the NSC available and the time it would take to exhaust the reserves. Mean NSC ages and transit times were sensitive to C fluxes in roots and allocation of C from wood storage. ●Our results demonstrate how trees with different storage traits are expected to react differently to starvation. They also provide a probabilistic explanation for the 'last-in, first-out' pattern of NSC mobilization from well-mixed C pools.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Muhr
- Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Hans-Knöll-Str 10, Jena, 07745, Germany
- Department of Bioclimatology, Georg August University Göttingen, Büsgenweg 2, Göttingen, 37077, Germany
| | - Henrik Hartmann
- Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Hans-Knöll-Str 10, Jena, 07745, Germany
| | - Christine Römermann
- Institute for Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 16, Jena, 07743, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, D-04103, Germany
| | - Susan Trumbore
- Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Hans-Knöll-Str 10, Jena, 07745, Germany
| | - Carlos A Sierra
- Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Hans-Knöll-Str 10, Jena, 07745, Germany
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Small-Scale Forest Structure Influences Spatial Variability of Belowground Carbon Fluxes in a Mature Mediterranean Beech Forest. FORESTS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/f11030255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The tree belowground compartment, especially fine roots, plays a relevant role in the forest ecosystem carbon (C) cycle, contributing largely to soil CO2 efflux (SR) and to net primary production (NPP). Beyond the well-known role of environmental drivers on fine root production (FRP) and SR, other determinants such as forest structure are still poorly understood. We investigated spatial variability of FRP, SR, forest structural traits, and their reciprocal interactions in a mature beech forest in the Mediterranean mountains. In the year of study, FRP resulted in the main component of NPP and explained about 70% of spatial variability of SR. Moreover, FRP was strictly driven by leaf area index (LAI) and soil water content (SWC). These results suggest a framework of close interactions between structural and functional forest features at the local scale to optimize C source–sink relationships under climate variability in a Mediterranean mature beech forest.
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