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Huang X, Hou ZL, Ma BL, Zhao H, Jiang ZM, Cai J. Seasonality in embolism resistance and hydraulic capacitance jointly mediate hydraulic safety in branches and leaves of oriental cork oak (Quercus variabilis Bl.). TREE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 44:tpae109. [PMID: 39216110 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpae109] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Seasonality in temperate regions is prominent during the era of increased climatic variability. A hydraulic trait that can adjust to seasonally changing climatic conditions is crucial for tree safety. However, little attention has been paid to the intraspecific seasonality of drought-related traits and hydraulic safety of keystone forest trees. We examined seasonal variations in the key morphological and physiological traits as well as multiple hydraulic safety margins (SMs) at the branch and leaf levels in oriental cork oak (Quercus variabilis Bl.), which is predominant in Chinese temperate forests. Pneumatic measurements indicated that, as seasons progressed, the water potential at which 50% of branch embolisms occur (P50_branch) decreased from -3.34 to -4.23 MPa, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 9.08%. Sapwood capacitance ranged from 48.19 to 248.08 kg m-3 MPa-1, peaking in autumn and reaching minimum in winter (CV 60.58%). Rehydration kinetics confirmed higher leaf embolism vulnerability (P50_leaf) in spring and autumn than those in summer, with values ranging from -1.06 to -3.02 MPa (CV 39.85%). All leaf pressure-volume (PV) traits shifted with growth, with CVs ranging from 6.95% to 46.69%. Sapwood density had significant negative correlations with P50_branch and hydraulic capacitance for elastic water storage, whereas leaf mass per area was linearly associated with PV traits but not with P50_leaf. Furthermore, the branch typical SMs (difference between branch midday water potential and P50_branch) were consistently >1.84 MPa, and vulnerability segmentation was prevalent throughout, implying a plausible hydraulic foundation for the dominance of Q. variabilis. Diverse hydraulic response patterns existed across seasons, leading to positive SMs mediated by the aforementioned physiological traits. Although Q. variabilis exhibits a high level of hydraulic safety, its susceptibility to sudden summer droughts may increase due to global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Huang
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, 3 Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Zhuo-Liang Hou
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, 3 Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Bo-Long Ma
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, 3 Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Han Zhao
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, 3 Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Zai-Min Jiang
- College of Life, Northwest A&F University, 3 Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, China
- Qinling National Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Northwest A&F University, 3 Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Jing Cai
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, 3 Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, China
- Qinling National Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Northwest A&F University, 3 Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, China
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Ma BL, Liao SH, Lv QZ, Huang X, Jiang ZM, Cai J. Seasonal plasticity of stem embolism resistance and its potential driving factors in six temperate woody species. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2024; 176:e14421. [PMID: 38956781 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The seasonal plasticity of resistance to xylem embolism has been demonstrated in leaves of some tree species, but is controversial in stems. In this study, we investigated the seasonality of stem xylem resistance to embolism in six temperate woody species (four deciduous and two evergreen tree species) that were grown at the same site. The xylem conduit anatomy, the concentrations, and ratios of the main cation in the xylem sap, as well as the content of nonstructural carbohydrates (including soluble sugars and starch) were measured in each species under each season to reveal the potential mechanisms of seasonal change in embolism resistance. The stem of all species showed increasing resistance to embolism as seasons progressed, with more vulnerable xylem in spring, but no significant adjustment in the other three seasons. The seasonal plasticity of stem embolism resistance was greater in deciduous species than in evergreen. On a seasonal scale, conduit diameter and conduit implosion resistance, the ratios of K+/Ca2+ and K+/Na+, and starch content were generally not correlated with embolism resistance, suggesting that these are probably not the main drivers of seasonal plasticity of stem embolism resistance. The seasonality of embolism resistance provides critical information for better understanding plant hydraulics in response to seasonal environments, especially under climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Long Ma
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Su-Hui Liao
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Qing-Zi Lv
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xin Huang
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Zai-Min Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Jing Cai
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Qinling National Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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3
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Gauthey A, Bachofen C, Chin A, Cochard H, Gisler J, Mas E, Meusburger K, Peters RL, Schaub M, Tunas A, Zweifel R, Grossiord C. Twenty years of irrigation acclimation is driven by denser canopies and not by plasticity in twig- and needle-level hydraulics in a Pinus sylvestris forest. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:3141-3152. [PMID: 38375924 PMCID: PMC11103111 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae066] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Climate change is predicted to increase atmospheric vapor pressure deficit, exacerbating soil drought, and thus enhancing tree evaporative demand and mortality. Yet, few studies have addressed the longer-term drought acclimation strategy of trees, particularly the importance of morphological versus hydraulic plasticity. Using a long-term (20 years) irrigation experiment in a natural forest, we investigated the acclimation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) morpho-anatomical traits (stomatal anatomy and crown density) and hydraulic traits (leaf water potential, vulnerability to cavitation (Ψ50), specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks), and tree water deficit) to prolonged changes in soil moisture. We found that low water availability reduced twig water potential and increased tree water deficit during the growing season. Still, the trees showed limited adjustments in most branch-level hydraulic traits (Ψ50 and Ks) and needle anatomy. In contrast, trees acclimated to prolonged irrigation by increasing their crown density and hence the canopy water demand. This study demonstrates that despite substantial canopy adjustments, P. sylvestris may be vulnerable to extreme droughts because of limited adjustment potential in its hydraulic system. While sparser canopies reduce water demand, such shifts take decades to occur under chronic water deficits and might not mitigate short-term extreme drought events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Gauthey
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Bachofen
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Alana Chin
- Plant Ecology Group, Institute for Integrative Biology, ETH-Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hervé Cochard
- INRAE, PIAF, Université Clermont-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jonas Gisler
- Forest Dynamics Research Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape WSL, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Eugénie Mas
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Katrin Meusburger
- Forest Soils and Biochemistry, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Richard L Peters
- Physiological Plant Ecology, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Schönbeinstrasse 6, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Schaub
- Forest Dynamics Research Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape WSL, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Alex Tunas
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Roman Zweifel
- Forest Dynamics Research Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape WSL, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Grossiord
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
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Paligi SS, Lichter J, Kotowska M, Schwutke RL, Audisio M, Mrak K, Penanhoat A, Schuldt B, Hertel D, Leuschner C. Water status dynamics and drought tolerance of juvenile European beech, Douglas fir and Norway spruce trees as dependent on neighborhood and nitrogen supply. TREE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 44:tpae044. [PMID: 38662576 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpae044] [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: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
To increase the resilience of forests to drought and other hazards, foresters are increasingly planting mixed stands. This requires knowledge about the drought response of tree species in pure and mixed-culture neighborhoods. In addition, drought frequently interacts with continued atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition. To disentangle these factors for European beech, Norway spruce and Douglas fir, we conducted a replicated 3-factorial sapling growth experiment with three moisture levels, (high, medium, and low), two N levels (high and ambient), and pure and mixed-culture neighborhoods. We measured biomass, stomatal conductance (GS), shoot water potential (at predawn: ΨPD, midday, and turgor loss point: ΨTLP), branch xylem embolism resistance (Ψ50) and minimum epidermal conductance (Gmin). The three species differed most with respect to Gmin (10-fold higher in beech than in the conifers), hydroscape area (larger in beech), and the time elapsed to reach stomatal closure (TΨGS90) and ΨTLP (TTLP; shorter in beech), while Ψ50 and ΨTLP were remarkably similar. Neighborhood (pure vs mixed-culture) influenced biomass production, water status and hydraulic traits, notably GS (higher in Douglas fir, but lower in spruce and beech, in mixtures than pure culture), hydraulic safety margin (smaller for beech in mixtures), and TΨGS90 and TTLP (shorter for spruce in mixture). High N generally increased GS, but no consistent N effects on leaf water status and hydraulic traits were detected, suggesting that neighbor identity had a larger effect on plant water relations than N availability. We conclude that both tree neighborhood and N availability modulate the drought response of beech, spruce, and Douglas fir. Species mixing can alleviate the drought stress of some species, but often by disadvantaging other species. Thus, our study suggests that stabilizing and building resilience of production forests against a drier and warmer climate may depend primarily on the right species choice; species mixing can support the agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharath S Paligi
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jens Lichter
- Chair of Statistics, University of Goettingen, Humboldtallee 3, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Martyna Kotowska
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
- School of Natural Sciences, Wallumattagal Campus, Macquarie University, 4-6 Eastern Road Macquarie Park NSW 2109, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rebecca L Schwutke
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Michela Audisio
- Forest Botany and Tree Physiology, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, D-37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Klara Mrak
- Soil Science of Temperate Ecosystems, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 2, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alice Penanhoat
- Department of Spatial Structures and Digitization of Forests, University of Goettingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Schuldt
- Chair of Forest Botany, Institute of Forest Botany and Forest Zoology, Technical University of Dresden, Pienner Street 7, 01737 Tharandt, Germany
| | - Dietrich Hertel
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Leuschner
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
- Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
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Beckett HAA, Bryant C, Neeman T, Mencuccini M, Ball MC. Plasticity in branch water relations and stem hydraulic vulnerability enhances hydraulic safety in mangroves growing along a salinity gradient. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:854-870. [PMID: 37975319 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14764] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Coping with water stress depends on maintaining cellular function and hydraulic conductance. Yet measurements of vulnerability to drought and salinity do not often focus on capacitance in branch organs that buffer hydraulic function during water stress. The relationships between branch water relations, stem hydraulic vulnerability and stem anatomy were investigated in two co-occurring mangroves Aegiceras corniculatum and Rhizophora stylosa growing at low and high salinity. The dynamics of branch water release acted to conserve water content in the stem at the expense of the foliage during extended drying. Hydraulic redistribution from the foliage to the stem increased stem relative water content by up to 21%. The water potentials at which 12% and 50% loss of stem hydraulic conductivity occurred decreased by ~1.7 MPa in both species between low and high salinity sites. These coordinated tissue adjustments increased hydraulic safety despite declining turgor safety margins at higher salinity sites. Our results highlight the complex interplay of plasticity in organ-level water relations with hydraulic vulnerability in the maintenance of stem hydraulic function in mangroves distributed along salinity gradients. These results emphasise the importance of combining water relations and hydraulic vulnerability parameters to understand vulnerability to water stress across the whole plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly A A Beckett
- Plant Science Division, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Callum Bryant
- Plant Science Division, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Teresa Neeman
- Biological Data Science Institute, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Maurizio Mencuccini
- Ecological and Forestry Applications Research Centre (CREAF), Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Marilyn C Ball
- Plant Science Division, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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Liu J, Hochberg U, Ding R, Xiong D, Dai Z, Zhao Q, Chen J, Ji S, Kang S. Elevated CO2 concentration increases maize growth under water deficit or soil salinity but with a higher risk of hydraulic failure. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:422-437. [PMID: 37715996 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad365] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Climate change presents a challenge for plants to acclimate their water relations under changing environmental conditions, and may increase the risks of hydraulic failure under stress. In this study, maize plants were acclimated to two different CO2 concentrations ([CO2]; 400 ppm and 700 ppm) while under either water stress (WS) or soil salinity (SS) treatments, and their growth and hydraulic traits were examined in detail. Both WS and SS inhibited growth and had significant impacts on hydraulic traits. In particular, the water potential at 50% loss of stem hydraulic conductance (P50) decreased by 1 MPa in both treatments at 400 ppm. When subjected to elevated [CO2], the plants under both WS and SS showed improved growth by 7-23%. Elevated [CO2] also significantly increased xylem vulnerability (measured as loss of conductivity with decreasing xylem pressure), resulting in smaller hydraulic safety margins. According to the plant desiccation model, the critical desiccation degree (time×vapor pressure deficit) that the plants could tolerate under drought was reduced by 43-64% under elevated [CO2]. In addition, sensitivity analysis showed that P50 was the most important trait in determining the critical desiccation degree. Thus, our results demonstrated that whilst elevated [CO2] benefited plant growth under WS or SS, it also interfered with hydraulic acclimation, thereby potentially placing the plants at a higher risk of hydraulic failure and increased mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junzhou Liu
- Center for Agricultural Water Research in China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
- National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Efficient Water Use of Oasis Agriculture in Wuwei of Gansu Province, Wuwei 733009, China
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Uri Hochberg
- Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 7505101, Israel
| | - Risheng Ding
- Center for Agricultural Water Research in China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
- National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Efficient Water Use of Oasis Agriculture in Wuwei of Gansu Province, Wuwei 733009, China
| | - Dongliang Xiong
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhanwu Dai
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Grape Science and Enology and Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Qing Zhao
- Center for Agricultural Water Research in China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
- National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Efficient Water Use of Oasis Agriculture in Wuwei of Gansu Province, Wuwei 733009, China
| | - Jinliang Chen
- Center for Agricultural Water Research in China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
- National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Efficient Water Use of Oasis Agriculture in Wuwei of Gansu Province, Wuwei 733009, China
| | - Shasha Ji
- Center for Agricultural Water Research in China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
- National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Efficient Water Use of Oasis Agriculture in Wuwei of Gansu Province, Wuwei 733009, China
| | - Shaozhong Kang
- Center for Agricultural Water Research in China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
- National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station on Efficient Water Use of Oasis Agriculture in Wuwei of Gansu Province, Wuwei 733009, China
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Wagner Y, Volkov M, Nadal-Sala D, Ruehr NK, Hochberg U, Klein T. Relationships between xylem embolism and tree functioning during drought, recovery, and recurring drought in Aleppo pine. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2023; 175:e13995. [PMID: 37882273 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Recent findings suggest that trees can survive high levels of drought-induced xylem embolism. In many cases, the embolism is irreversible and, therefore, can potentially affect post-drought recovery and tree function under recurring droughts. We examined the development of embolism in potted Aleppo pines, a common species in hot, dry Mediterranean habitats. We asked (1) how post-drought recovery is affected by different levels of embolism and (2) what consequences this drought-induced damage has under a recurring drought scenario. Young trees were dehydrated to target water potential (Ψx ) values of -3.5, -5.2 and -9.5 MPa (which corresponded to ~6%, ~41% and ~76% embolism), and recovery of the surviving trees was measured over an 8-months period (i.e., embolism, leaf gas-exchange, Ψx ). An additional group of trees was exposed to Ψx of -6.0 MPa, either with or without preceding drought (Ψx of -5.2 MPa) to test the effect of hydraulic damage during repeated drought. Trees that reached -9.5 MPa died, but none from the other groups. Embolism levels in dying trees were on average 76% of conductive xylem and no tree was dying below 62% embolism. Stomatal recovery was negatively proportional to the level of hydraulic damage sustained during drought, for at least a month after drought relief. Trees that experienced drought for the second time took longer to reach fatal Ψx levels than first-time dehydrating trees. Decreased stomatal conductance following drought can be seen as "drought legacy," impeding recovery of tree functioning, but also as a safety mechanism during a consecutive drought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Wagner
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Mila Volkov
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Daniel Nadal-Sala
- Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research (IMK-IFU), KIT-Campus Alpin, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
- Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Campus de Bellaterra (UAB) Edifici C, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Nadine Katrin Ruehr
- Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research (IMK-IFU), KIT-Campus Alpin, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Uri Hochberg
- Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Tamir Klein
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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