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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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Müller M, Leuschner C, Weithmann G, Weigel R, Banzragch BE, Steiner W, Gailing O. A genome-wide genetic association study reveals SNPs significantly associated with environmental variables and specific leaf area in European beech. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2024; 176:e14334. [PMID: 38705836 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
European beech is negatively affected by climate change and a further growth decline is predicted for large parts of its distribution range. Despite the importance of this species, little is known about its genetic adaptation and especially the genetic basis of its physiological traits. Here, we used genotyping by sequencing to identify SNPs in 43 German European beech populations growing under different environmental conditions. In total, 28 of these populations were located along a precipitation and temperature gradient in northern Germany, and single tree-based hydraulic and morphological traits were available. We obtained a set of 13,493 high-quality SNPs that were used for environmental and SNP-trait association analysis. In total, 22 SNPs were identified that were significantly associated with environmental variables or specific leaf area (SLA). Several SNPs were located in genes related to stress response. The majority of the significant SNPs were located in non-coding (intergenic and intronic) regions. These may be in linkage disequilibrium with the causative coding or regulatory regions. Our study gives insights into the genetic basis of abiotic adaptation in European beech, and provides genetic resources that can be used in future studies on this species. Besides clear patterns of local adaptation to environmental conditions of the investigated populations, the analyzed morphological and hydraulic traits explained most of the explainable genetic variation. Thus, they could successfully be altered in tree breeding programs, which may help to increase the adaptation of European beech to changing environmental conditions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Müller
- University of Göttingen, Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Leuschner
- Department Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Center of Sustainable Land Use (CBL), Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Greta Weithmann
- Department Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Robert Weigel
- Department Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Ecological-Botanical Garden, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Bat-Enerel Banzragch
- Department Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Applied Vegetation Ecology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wilfried Steiner
- Department Forest Genetic Resources, Northwest German Forest Research Institute, Hann. Münden, Germany
| | - Oliver Gailing
- University of Göttingen, Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research (CiBreed), University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Center of Sustainable Land Use (CBL), Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Yu X, Ji R, Li M, Xia X, Yin W, Liu C. Geographical variation in functional traits of leaves of Caryopteris mongholica and the role of climate. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:394. [PMID: 37580656 PMCID: PMC10426221 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04410-9] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quantifying intra-specific variation in leaf functional traits along environmental gradients is important for understanding species' responses to climate change. In this study, we assessed the degree of among and within populations variation in leaf functional traits and explored leaf response to geographic and climate change using Caryopteris mongholica as material, which has a wide range of distribution environments. RESULTS We selected 40 natural populations of C. mongholica, measured 8 leaf functional traits, analyzed the extent of trait variation among and within populations, and developed geographic and climatic models to explain trait variation between populations. Our results showed that the variation in leaf functional traits of C. mongholica was primarily lower within populations compared to among populations. Specifically, the leaf area (LA) exhibited higher variability both among and within populations, whereas leaf carbon content (LC) exhibited lower variation within populations but greater variation among populations. We observed a specific covariation pattern among traits and a strong linkage between morphological, economic, and mechanical traits. Increasing minimum temperature, precipitation of month, and seasonal precipitation differences all limited the growth and development of C. mongholica. However, it was observed that an increase in mean annual precipitation positively influenced the morphological development of its leaf. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the response of intra-specific trait variation to the environment and provide valuable insights into the adaptation of intra-specific leaf functional traits under changing climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yu
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Ruoxuan Ji
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Mingming Li
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xinli Xia
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Weilun Yin
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Chao Liu
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
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Isasa E, Link RM, Jansen S, Tezeh FR, Kaack L, Sarmento Cabral J, Schuldt B. Addressing controversies in the xylem embolism resistance-vessel diameter relationship. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 238:283-296. [PMID: 36636783 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Although xylem embolism is a key process during drought-induced tree mortality, its relationship to wood anatomy remains debated. While the functional link between bordered pits and embolism resistance is known, there is no direct, mechanistic explanation for the traditional assumption that wider vessels are more vulnerable than narrow ones. We used data from 20 temperate broad-leaved tree species to study the inter- and intraspecific relationship of water potential at 50% loss of conductivity (P50 ) with hydraulically weighted vessel diameter (Dh ) and tested its link to pit membrane thickness (TPM ) and specific conductivity (Ks ) on species level. Embolism-resistant species had thick pit membranes and narrow vessels. While Dh was weakly associated with TPM , the P50 -Dh relationship remained highly significant after accounting for TPM . The interspecific pattern between P50 and Dh was mirrored by a link between P50 and Ks , but there was no evidence for an intraspecific relationship. Our results provide robust evidence for an interspecific P50 -Dh relationship across our species. As a potential cause for the inconsistencies in published P50 -Dh relationships, our analysis suggests differences in the range of trait values covered, and the level of data aggregation (species, tree or sample level) studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Isasa
- Ecophysiology and Vegetation Ecology, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Würzburg, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 3, 97082, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Roman Mathias Link
- Ecophysiology and Vegetation Ecology, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Würzburg, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 3, 97082, Würzburg, Germany
- Chair of Forest Botany, Institute of Forest Botany and Forest Zoology, Technical University of Dresden, Pienner Str. 7, 01737, Tharandt, Germany
| | - Steven Jansen
- Institute of Systematic Botany and Ecology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Fon Robinson Tezeh
- Ecophysiology and Vegetation Ecology, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Würzburg, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 3, 97082, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lucian Kaack
- Institute of Systematic Botany and Ecology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Juliano Sarmento Cabral
- Ecosystem Modeling Group, Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology, University of Würzburg, Klara-Oppenheimer-Weg 32, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
- Biodiversity Modelling and Environmental Change, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Bernhard Schuldt
- Ecophysiology and Vegetation Ecology, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Würzburg, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 3, 97082, Würzburg, Germany
- Chair of Forest Botany, Institute of Forest Botany and Forest Zoology, Technical University of Dresden, Pienner Str. 7, 01737, Tharandt, Germany
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Wang X, Fan Y, Zhang C, Zhao Y, Du G, Li M, Si B. From comfort zone to mortality: Sequence of physiological stress thresholds in Robinia pseudoacacia seedlings during progressive drought. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1149760. [PMID: 37008484 PMCID: PMC10060868 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1149760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parameterizing the process of trees from the comfort zone to mortality during progressive drought is important for, but is not well represented in, vegetation models, given the lack of appropriate indices to gauge the response of trees to droughts. The objective of this study was to determine reliable and readily available tree drought stressindices and the thresholds at which droughts activate important physiological responses. METHODS We analyzed the changes in the transpiration (T), stomatal conductance, xylem conductance, and leaf health status due to a decrease in soil water availability (SWA), predawn xylem water potential (ψpd), and midday xylem water potential (ψmd) in Robinia pseudoacacia seedlings during progressive drought. RESULTS The results showed that ψmd was a better indicator of drought stress than SWA and ψpd, because ψmd was more closely related to the physiological response (defoliation and xylem embolization) during severe drought and could be measured more conveniently. We derived the following five stress levels from the observed responses to decreasing ψmd: comfort zone (ψmd > -0.9 MPa), wherein transpiration and stomatal conductance are not limited by SWA; moderate drought stress (-0.9 to -1.75 MPa), wherein transpiration and stomatal conductance are limited by drought; high drought stress (-1.75 to -2.59 MPa), wherein transpiration decreases significantly (T< 10%) and stomata closes completely; severe drought stress (-2.59 to -4.02 MPa), wherein transpiration ceases (T< 0.1%) and leaf shedding orwilting is > 50%; and extreme drought stress (< -4.02 MPa), leading to tree mortality due to xylem hydraulic failure. DISCUSSION To our knowledge, our scheme is the first to outline the quantitative thresholds for the downregulation of physiological processes in R. pseudoacacia during drought, therefore, can be used to synthesize valuable information for process-based vegetation models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wang
- College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yanli Fan
- College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Congcong Zhang
- College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yihong Zhao
- College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Guangyuan Du
- College of Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Min Li
- College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Bingcheng Si
- College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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Weigel R, Bat-Enerel B, Dulamsuren C, Muffler L, Weithmann G, Leuschner C. Summer drought exposure, stand structure, and soil properties jointly control the growth of European beech along a steep precipitation gradient in northern Germany. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:763-779. [PMID: 36426513 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16506] [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: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Increasing exposure to climate warming-related drought and heat threatens forest vitality in many regions on earth, with the trees' vulnerability likely depending on local climatic aridity, recent climate trends, edaphic conditions, and the drought acclimatization and adaptation of populations. Studies exploring tree species' vulnerability to climate change often have a local focus or model the species' entire distribution range, which hampers the separation of climatic and edaphic drivers of drought and heat vulnerability. We compared recent radial growth trends and the sensitivity of growth to drought and heat in central populations of a widespread and naturally dominant tree species in Europe, European beech (Fagus sylvatica), at 30 forest sites across a steep precipitation gradient (500-850 mm year-1 ) of short length to assess the species' adaptive potential. Size-standardized basal area increment remained more constant during the period of accelerated warming since the early 1980s in populations with >360 mm growing season precipitation (April-September), while growth trends were negative at sites with <360 mm. Climatic drought in June appeared as the most influential climatic factor affecting radial growth, with a stronger effect at drier sites. A decadal decrease in the climatic water balance of the summer was identified as the most important factor leading to growth decline, which is amplified by higher stem densities. Inter-annual growth variability has increased since the early 1980s, and variability is generally higher at drier and sandier sites. Similarly, within-population growth synchrony is higher at sandier sites and has increased with a decrease in the June climatic water balance. Our results caution against predicting the drought vulnerability of trees solely from climate projections, as soil properties emerged as an important modulating factor. We conclude that beech is facing recent growth decline at drier sites in the centre of its distribution range, driven by climate change-related climate aridification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Weigel
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Banzragch Bat-Enerel
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | | | - Lena Muffler
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Greta Weithmann
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Leuschner
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
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Thomas FM, Schunck L, Zisakos A. Legacy Effects in Buds and Leaves of European Beech Saplings ( Fagus sylvatica) after Severe Drought. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:568. [PMID: 36771652 PMCID: PMC9920899 DOI: 10.3390/plants12030568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Against the background of climate change, we studied the effects of a severe summer drought on buds of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) saplings and on leaves formed during the subsequent spring in trees attributed to different drought-damage classes. For the first time, we combined assessments of the vitality (assessed through histochemical staining), mass and stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) of buds from drought-stressed woody plants with morphological and physiological variables of leaves that have emerged from the same plants and crown parts. The number, individual mass and vitality of the buds decreased and δ13C increased with increasing drought-induced damage. Bud mass, vitality and δ13C were significantly intercorrelated. The δ13C of the buds was imprinted on the leaves formed in the subsequent spring, but individual leaf mass, leaf size and specific leaf area were not significantly different among damage classes. Vitality and δ13C of the buds are suitable indicators of the extent of preceding drought impact. Bud vitality may be used as a simple means of screening saplings for the flushing capability in the subsequent spring. European beech saplings are susceptible, but-due to interindividual differences-are resilient, to a certain extent, to a singular severe drought stress.
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Schuldt B, Ruehr NK. Responses of European forests to global change-type droughts. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2022; 24:1093-1097. [PMID: 36445187 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- B Schuldt
- Chair of Forest Botany, Institute of Forest Botany and Forest Zoology, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - N K Ruehr
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research - Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
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Werner C. Extreme droughts and heatwaves endanger temperate forests. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2022; 24:1091-1092. [PMID: 36445188 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
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10
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Influence of Juvenile Growth on Xylem Safety and Efficiency in Three Temperate Tree Species. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13060909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of the internal water transport system was a prerequisite for high plant productivity. In times of climate change, understanding the dependency of juvenile growth on xylem hydraulic physiology is therefore of high importance. Here, we explored various wood anatomical, hydraulic, and leaf morphological traits related to hydraulic safety and efficiency in three temperate broadleaved tree species (Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, and Sorbus aucuparia). We took advantage of a severe natural heat wave that resulted in different climatic growing conditions for even-aged plants from the same seed source growing inside a greenhouse and outside. Inside the greenhouse, the daily maximum vapour pressure deficit was on average 36% higher than outside during the growing seasons. Because of the higher atmospheric moisture stress, the biomass production differed up to 5.6-fold between both groups. Except for one species, a high productivity was associated with a high hydraulic efficiency caused by large xylem vessels and a large, supported leaf area. Although no safety-efficiency trade-off was observed, productivity was significantly related to P50 in two of the tree species but without revealing any clear pattern. A considerable plasticity in given traits was observed between both groups, with safety-related traits being more static while efficiency-related traits revealed a higher intra-specific plasticity. This was associated with other wood anatomical and leaf morphological adjustments. We confirm that a high hydraulic efficiency seems to be a prerequisite for a high biomass production, while our controversial results on the growth–xylem safety relationship confirm that safety-efficiency traits are decoupled and that their relationship with juvenile growth and water regime is species-specific.
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Weithmann G, Link RM, Banzragch BE, Würzberg L, Leuschner C, Schuldt B. Soil water availability and branch age explain variability in xylem safety of European beech in Central Europe. Oecologia 2022; 198:629-644. [PMID: 35212818 PMCID: PMC8956530 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05124-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Xylem embolism resistance has been identified as a key trait with a causal relation to drought-induced tree mortality, but not much is known about its intra-specific trait variability (ITV) in dependence on environmental variation. We measured xylem safety and efficiency in 300 European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees across 30 sites in Central Europe, covering a precipitation reduction from 886 to 522 mm year−1. A broad range of variables that might affect embolism resistance in mature trees, including climatic and soil water availability, competition, and branch age, were examined. The average P50 value varied by up to 1 MPa between sites. Neither climatic aridity nor structural variables had a significant influence on P50. However, P50 was less negative for trees with a higher soil water storage capacity, and positively related to branch age, while specific conductivity (Ks) was not significantly associated with either of these variables. The greatest part of the ITV for xylem safety and efficiency was attributed to random variability within populations. We conclude that the influence of site water availability on P50 and Ks is low in European beech, and that the high degree of within-population variability for P50, partly due to variation in branch age, hampers the identification of a clear environmental signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Weithmann
- Plant Ecology, Albrecht Von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Roman M Link
- Plant Ecology, Albrecht Von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.,Ecophysiology and Vegetation Ecology, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Würzburg, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz, 97082, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bat-Enerel Banzragch
- Plant Ecology, Albrecht Von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Laura Würzberg
- Plant Ecology, Albrecht Von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Leuschner
- Plant Ecology, Albrecht Von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.,Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Goettingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Schuldt
- Plant Ecology, Albrecht Von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Goettingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073, Göttingen, Germany. .,Ecophysiology and Vegetation Ecology, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Würzburg, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz, 97082, Würzburg, Germany.
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