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Dimitrova A, Balzano A, Tsedensodnom E, Byambadorj SO, Nyam-Osor B, Scippa GS, Merela M, Chiatante D, Montagnoli A. The adaptability of Ulmus pumila and the sensitivity of Populus sibirica to semi-arid steppe is reflected in the stem and root vascular cambium and anatomical wood traits. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1393245. [PMID: 38933456 PMCID: PMC11202817 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1393245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Afforestation success is measured by the tree establishment and growth capacity which contribute to a range of ecosystem services. In the Mongolian steppe, Populus sibirica and Ulmus pumila have been tested as candidate species for large afforestation programs, by analyzing their response to a combination of irrigation and fertilization treatments. While in temperate and Mediterranean forest ecosystems, xylogenetic studies provide insight into the trees' plasticity and adaptability, this type of knowledge is non-existent in semi-arid regions, whose climatic features are expected to become a global issue. Furthermore, in general, a comparison between the stem and root response is scarce or absent. In the present study, we show that the anatomical traits of the vascular cambium and the xylem, from stem and root microcores, reflect the previously noted dependence of P. sibirica from irrigation - as they proportionally increase and the higher adaptability of U. pumila to drought - due to the reduced impact across all five characteristics. As the first wood anatomy study of these species in semiarid areas, future research is urgently needed, as it could be a tool for quicker understanding of species' suitability under expected to be exacerbated semi-arid conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastazija Dimitrova
- Department of Bioscience and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
- Department of Seed Science and Forest Stands, Hans Em Faculty of Forest Sciences, Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Angela Balzano
- Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Enkhchimeg Tsedensodnom
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Ser-Oddamba Byambadorj
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Laboratory of Silviculture, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Batkhuu Nyam-Osor
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Ecophysiology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | | | - Maks Merela
- Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Donato Chiatante
- Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Botany, Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Antonio Montagnoli
- Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Botany, Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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Skvareninova J, Sitko R, Vido J, Snopková Z, Skvarenina J. Phenological response of European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) to climate change in the Western Carpathian climatic-geographical zones. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1242695. [PMID: 38633456 PMCID: PMC11022973 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1242695] [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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Introduction The paper analyzes the results of 26 years (1996-2021) of phenological observations of the vegetative organs of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in the Western Carpathians. It evaluates the influence of the heterogeneity of this territory, including relief and elevation, based on climatic-geographical types. Methods Phenological stages, including leaf unfolding, full leaves, leaf coloring, and leaf fall, were monitored at 40 phenological stations across eight elevation zones. The study assesses trends in the occurrence of phenological stages, the length of the growing season, and phenological elevation gradients. Results The results indicate a statistically significant earlier onset of spring phenological phases and delay in autumn phases, resulting in an average extension of the beech growing season by 12 days. Our findings confirm that the lengthening of the growing season due to warming, as an expression of climate change, is predominantly attributed to the warming in the spring months. The detected delayed onset of autumn phenophases was not due to warming in the autumn months, but other environmental factors influence it. The trend of elongation of the growing season (p<0.01) is observed in all elevation zones, with a less significant trend observed only in zones around 400 and 600 m a.s.l, signaling changes in environmental conditions across most of the elevation spectrum. Moreover, the heterogeneity of climatic-geographical types within each elevation zone increases the variability in the duration of the growing season for sites with similar elevations. By extending the growing season, it is assumed that the beech area will be changed to locations with optimal environmental conditions, especially in terms of adverse climatic events (late spring frosts, drought) during the growing season. The phenological elevation gradients reveal an earlier onset of 2.2 days per 100 m for spring phenophases and a delay of 1.1-2.9 days per 100 m for autumn phenophases. Discussion These findings highlight the specific environmental conditions of European beech in the Western Carpathians and their potential for anticipating changes in its original area. Additionally, these observations can aid in forecasting the further development of phenological manifestations related to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Skvareninova
- Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Roman Sitko
- Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Jaroslav Vido
- Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Zora Snopková
- Slovak Hydrometeorological Institut, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
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Gričar J, Jevšenak J, Giagli K, Eler K, Tsalagkas D, Gryc V, Vavrčík H, Čufar K, Prislan P. Temporal and spatial variability of phloem structure in Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica and its link to climate. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:1285-1299. [PMID: 38213092 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14811] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Using a unique 8-year data set (2010-2017) of phloem data, we studied the effect of temperature and precipitation on the phloem anatomy (conduit area, widths of ring, early and late phloem) and xylem-ring width in two coexisting temperate tree species, Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica, from three contrasting European temperate forest sites. Histometric analyses were performed on microcores taken from tree stems in autumn. We found high interannual variability and sensitivity of phloem anatomy and xylem-ring widths to precipitation and temperature; however, the responses were species- and site-specific. The contrasting response of xylem and phloem-ring widths of the same tree species to weather conditions was found at the two Slovenian sites generally well supplied with precipitation, while at the driest Czech site, the influence of weather factors on xylem and phloem ring widths was synchronised. Since widths of mean annual xylem and phloem increments were narrowest at the Czech site, this site is suggested to be most restrictive for the radial growth of both species. By influencing the seasonal patterns of xylem and phloem development, water availability appears to be the most important determinant of tissue- and species-specific responses to local weather conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jernej Jevšenak
- Slovenian Forestry Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Kyriaki Giagli
- Department of Wood Science and Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Klemen Eler
- Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Dimitrios Tsalagkas
- Department of Wood Science and Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Gryc
- Department of Wood Science and Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hanuš Vavrčík
- Department of Wood Science and Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Katarina Čufar
- Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Rita A, Saracino A, Cieraad E, Saulino L, Zotti M, Idbella M, De Stefano C, Mogavero V, Allevato E, Bonanomi G. Topoclimate effect on treeline elevation depends on the regional framework: A contrast between Southern Alps (New Zealand) and Apennines (Italy) forests. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9733. [PMID: 36694545 PMCID: PMC9843241 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the spatial patterns of alpine treelines is critical for understanding the ecosystem processes involved in the persistence of tree species and their altitudinal limit. Treelines are thought to be controlled by temperature, and other environmental variables but they have rarely been investigated in regions with different land-use change legacies. Here, we systematically investigated treeline elevation in the Apennines (Italy) and Southern Alps (New Zealand) with contrasting human history but similar biogeographic trajectories, intending to identify distinct drivers that affect their current elevation and highlight their respective peculiarities. Over 3622 km of Apennines, treeline elevation was assessed in 302 mountain peaks and in 294 peaks along 4504 km of Southern Alps. The major difference between the Southern Alps and Apennines treeline limit is associated with their mountain aspects. In the Southern Alps, the scarcely anthropized Nothofagus treeline elevation was higher on the warmer equator-facing slopes than on the pole-facing ones. Contrary to what would be expected based on temperature limitation, the elevation of Fagus sylvatica treelines in the Apennines was higher on colder, pole-facing slopes than on human-shaped equator-facing, warmer mountainsides. Pervasive positive correlations were found between treeline elevation and temperature in the Southern Alps but not in the Apennines. While the position of the Fagus and Nothofagus treelines converge on similar isotherms of annual average temperature, a striking isothermal difference between the temperatures of the hottest month on which the two taxonomic groups grow exists. We conclude that actual treeline elevation reflects the ecological processes driven by a combination of local-scale topoclimatic conditions, and human disturbance legacy. Predicting dynamic processes affecting current and future alpine treeline position requires further insight into the modulating influences that are currently understood at a regional scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Rita
- Dipartimento di AgrariaUniversità degli Studi di Napoli Federico IIPorticiItaly
| | - Antonio Saracino
- Dipartimento di AgrariaUniversità degli Studi di Napoli Federico IIPorticiItaly
| | - Ellen Cieraad
- Research & Innovation CentreNelson Marlborough Institute of TechnologyNelsonNew Zealand
| | - Luigi Saulino
- Dipartimento di AgrariaUniversità degli Studi di Napoli Federico IIPorticiItaly
| | - Maurizio Zotti
- Dipartimento di AgrariaUniversità degli Studi di Napoli Federico IIPorticiItaly
| | - Mohamed Idbella
- Dipartimento di AgrariaUniversità degli Studi di Napoli Federico IIPorticiItaly,Laboratory of Biosciences, Faculty of Sciences and TechniquesHassan II UniversityCasablancaMorocco
| | - Carlo De Stefano
- Dipartimento di AgrariaUniversità degli Studi di Napoli Federico IIPorticiItaly
| | - Valentina Mogavero
- Dipartimento di AgrariaUniversità degli Studi di Napoli Federico IIPorticiItaly
| | - Emilia Allevato
- Dipartimento di AgrariaUniversità degli Studi di Napoli Federico IIPorticiItaly
| | - Giuliano Bonanomi
- Dipartimento di AgrariaUniversità degli Studi di Napoli Federico IIPorticiItaly,Task Force on Microbiome StudiesUniversità degli Studi di Napoli Federico IINaplesItaly
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Roibu CC, Palaghianu C, Nagavciuc V, Ionita M, Sfecla V, Mursa A, Crivellaro A, Stirbu MI, Cotos MG, Popa A, Sfecla I, Popa I. The Response of Beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) Populations to Climate in the Easternmost Sites of Its European Distribution. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:3310. [PMID: 36501348 PMCID: PMC9738208 DOI: 10.3390/plants11233310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In the context of forecasted climate change scenarios, the growth of forest tree species at their distribution margin is crucial to adapt current forest management strategies. Analyses of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) growth have shown high plasticity, but easternmost beech populations have been rarely studied. To describe the response of the marginal beech population to the climate in the far east sites of its distribution, we first compiled new tree ring width chronologies. Then we analyzed climate-growth relationships for three marginal beech populations in the Republic of Moldova. We observed a relatively high growth rate in the marginal populations compared to core distribution sites. Our analyses further revealed a distinct and significant response of beech growth to all climatic variables, assessing for the first time the relationship between growth and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) which described how plant growth responds to drought. These results highlight that accumulated water deficit is an essential limiting factor of beech growth in this region. In conclusion, beech growth in the easternmost marginal population is drought-limited, and the sensitivity to VPD will need to be considered in future studies to update the forest management of other economic and ecologically important species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cătălin-Constantin Roibu
- Forest Biometrics Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Universității Street, No. 13, 720229 Suceava, Romania
| | - Ciprian Palaghianu
- Forest Biometrics Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Universității Street, No. 13, 720229 Suceava, Romania
| | - Viorica Nagavciuc
- Forest Biometrics Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Universității Street, No. 13, 720229 Suceava, Romania
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen Street No. 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Monica Ionita
- Forest Biometrics Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Universității Street, No. 13, 720229 Suceava, Romania
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen Street No. 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Victor Sfecla
- Forest Biometrics Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Universității Street, No. 13, 720229 Suceava, Romania
- Forestry and Plants Protection Department, Technical University of Moldova, Block 1, Stefan cel Mare si Sfant Boulevard 168, MD-2004 Chișinău, Moldova
| | - Andrei Mursa
- Forest Biometrics Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Universității Street, No. 13, 720229 Suceava, Romania
| | - Alan Crivellaro
- Forest Biometrics Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Universității Street, No. 13, 720229 Suceava, Romania
| | - Marian-Ionut Stirbu
- Forest Biometrics Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Universității Street, No. 13, 720229 Suceava, Romania
| | - Mihai-Gabriel Cotos
- Forest Biometrics Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Universității Street, No. 13, 720229 Suceava, Romania
| | - Andrei Popa
- National Research and Development Institute for Silviculture “Marin Drăcea”, Calea Bucovinei No. 76bis, 725100 Câmpulung Moldovenesc, Romania
- Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brașov, 500036 Brașov, Romania
| | - Irina Sfecla
- Forestry and Plants Protection Department, Technical University of Moldova, Block 1, Stefan cel Mare si Sfant Boulevard 168, MD-2004 Chișinău, Moldova
- “Alexandru Ciubotaru” National Botanical Garden (Institute), 18 Padurii, str., MD-2002 Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Ionel Popa
- National Research and Development Institute for Silviculture “Marin Drăcea”, Calea Bucovinei No. 76bis, 725100 Câmpulung Moldovenesc, Romania
- Center of Mountain Economy, INCE-CE-MONT Vatra Dornei, Petreni Street No. 49, 725700 Vatra Dornei, Romania
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Rademacher T, Fonti P, LeMoine JM, Fonti MV, Bowles F, Chen Y, Eckes-Shephard AH, Friend AD, Richardson AD. Insights into source/sink controls on wood formation and photosynthesis from a stem chilling experiment in mature red maple. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 236:1296-1309. [PMID: 35927942 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Whether sources or sinks control wood growth remains debated with a paucity of evidence from mature trees in natural settings. Here, we altered carbon supply rate in stems of mature red maples (Acer rubrum) within the growing season by restricting phloem transport using stem chilling; thereby increasing carbon supply above and decreasing carbon supply below the restrictions, respectively. Chilling successfully altered nonstructural carbon (NSC) concentrations in the phloem without detectable repercussions on bulk NSC in stems and roots. Ring width responded strongly to local variations in carbon supply with up to seven-fold differences along the stem of chilled trees; however, concurrent changes in the structural carbon were inconclusive at high carbon supply due to large local variability of wood growth. Above chilling-induced bottlenecks, we also observed higher leaf NSC concentrations, reduced photosynthetic capacity, and earlier leaf coloration and fall. Our results indicate that the cambial sink is affected by carbon supply, but within-tree feedbacks can downregulate source activity, when carbon supply exceeds demand. Such feedbacks have only been hypothesized in mature trees. Consequently, these findings constitute an important advance in understanding source-sink dynamics, suggesting that mature red maples operate close to both source- and sink-limitation in the early growing season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Rademacher
- Harvard Forest, Harvard University, Petersham, MA, 01366, USA
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems and Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
- Institut des Sciences de la Forêt Tempérée, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Ripon, J0V 1V0, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick Fonti
- Swiss Federal Research Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland
| | - James M LeMoine
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems and Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Marina V Fonti
- Swiss Federal Research Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland
- Institute of Ecology and Geography, Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, 660041, Russia
| | | | - Yizhao Chen
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1BY, UK
| | - Annemarie H Eckes-Shephard
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1BY, UK
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
| | - Andrew D Friend
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1BY, UK
| | - Andrew D Richardson
- School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems and Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
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Arnič D, Krajnc L, Gričar J, Prislan P. Relationships Between Wood-Anatomical Features and Resistance Drilling Density in Norway Spruce and European Beech. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:872950. [PMID: 35463439 PMCID: PMC9024210 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.872950] [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: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Environmental conditions affect tree-ring width (TRW), wood structure, and, consequently, wood density, which is one of the main wood quality indicators. Although studies on inter- and intra-annual variability in tree-ring features or density exist, studies demonstrating a clear link between wood structure on a cellular level and its effect on wood density on a macroscopic level are rare. Norway spruce with its simple coniferous structure and European beech, a diffuse-porous angiosperm species were selected to analyze these relationships. Increment cores were collected from both species at four sites in Slovenia. In total, 24 European beech and 17 Norway spruce trees were sampled. In addition, resistance drilling measurements were performed just a few centimeters above the increment core sampling. TRW and quantitative wood anatomy measurements were performed on the collected cores. Resistance drilling density values, tree-ring (TRW, earlywood width-EWW, transition-TWW, and latewood width-LWW) and wood-anatomical features (vessel/tracheid area and diameter, cell density, relative conductive area, and cell wall thickness) were then averaged for the first 7 cm of measurements. We observed significant relationships between tree-ring and wood-anatomical features in both spruce and beech. In spruce, the highest correlation values were found between TRW and LWW. In beech, the highest correlations were observed between TRW and cell density. There were no significant relationships between wood-anatomical features and resistance drilling density in beech. However, in spruce, a significant negative correlation was found between resistance drilling density and tangential tracheid diameter, and a positive correlation between resistance drilling density and both TWW + LWW and LWW. Our findings suggest that resistance drilling measurements can be used to evaluate differences in density within and between species, but they should be improved in resolution to be able to detect changes in wood anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domen Arnič
- Department for Forest Technique and Economics, Slovenian Forestry Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Luka Krajnc
- Department of Forest Yield and Silviculture, Slovenian Forestry Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jožica Gričar
- Department of Forest Physiology and Genetics, Slovenian Forestry Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Prislan
- Department for Forest Technique and Economics, Slovenian Forestry Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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8
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Miranda JC, Calderaro C, Cocozza C, Lasserre B, Tognetti R, von Arx G. Wood Anatomical Responses of European Beech to Elevation, Land Use Change, and Climate Variability in the Central Apennines, Italy. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:855741. [PMID: 35401623 PMCID: PMC8983936 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.855741] [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: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is a widespread and economically important temperate tree species in Europe. The warmer temperatures and severe drought events expected in the future, especially in Mediterranean areas, could affect the vitality and productivity of beech stands that have been intensively used in these areas in the past. Here, we aim to assess the wood anatomical responses of beech to environmental variability and silvicultural practices by investigating three beech stands along an elevational gradient (1,200 to 1,950 m a.s.l.) in the Apennines (Italy). Therefore, we quantified several anatomical traits of the xylem vessels related to tree hydraulics from five trees per stand and investigated variability between and within tree rings. Our results suggest generally limited trait plasticity, with higher plasticity of mean vessel lumen area and theoretical hydraulic conductivity, while maximum vessel size and mean hydraulic diameter were less plastic, likely because of the stronger determination by tree height. High-elevation trees were hydraulically more limited than trees at a mid and lower elevation as indicated by the more conservative anatomical configuration, i.e., comparatively smaller vessels and a 50% tighter trait coordination. Cessation of coppicing resulted in a hydraulically safer anatomy with comparatively smaller vessels at the most intensively used site (1,200 m), triggered by increased water demand due to an increase in canopy density, and thus, an increase in stand transpiration. Furthermore, maximum vessel size at the beginning showed different climate sensitivity compared to the rest of the tree ring, while intra-ring anatomical profiles showed little difference between normal and the 5 years with the highest and lowest mean temperature and precipitation. Overall, this study highlights the challenges to separate the externally induced medium- to longer-term responses from ontogenetically determined patterns. We, therefore, call for more comprehensive studies to further explore and verify the plasticity of wood anatomical traits in European beech in response to short- to long-term environmental fluctuations to gain a mechanistic understanding useful for sustainable forest ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Carlos Miranda
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Calderaro
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio, Università degli Studi del Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Claudia Cocozza
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari Ambientali e Forestali, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Bruno Lasserre
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio, Università degli Studi del Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Roberto Tognetti
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, Università degli Studi del Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Georg von Arx
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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