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Power CC, Normand S, von Arx G, Elberling B, Corcoran D, Krog AB, Bouvin NK, Treier UA, Westergaard-Nielsen A, Liu Y, Prendin AL. No effect of snow on shrub xylem traits: Insights from a snow-manipulation experiment on Disko Island, Greenland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 916:169896. [PMID: 38185160 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.169896] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Widespread shrubification across the Arctic has been generally attributed to increasing air temperatures, but responses vary across species and sites. Wood structures related to the plant hydraulic architecture may respond to local environmental conditions and potentially impact shrub growth, but these relationships remain understudied. Using methods of dendroanatomy, we analysed shrub ring width (RW) and xylem anatomical traits of 80 individuals of Salix glauca L. and Betula nana L. at a snow manipulation experiment in Western Greenland. We assessed how their responses differed between treatments (increased versus ambient snow depth) and soil moisture regimes (wet and dry). Despite an increase in snow depth due to snow fences (28-39 %), neither RW nor anatomical traits in either species showed significant responses to this increase. In contrast, irrespective of the snow treatment, the xylem specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and earlywood vessel size (LA95) for the study period were larger in S. glauca (p < 0.1, p < 0.01) and B. nana (p < 0.01, p < 0.001) at the wet than the dry site, while both species had larger vessel groups at the dry than the wet site (p < 0.01). RW of B. nana was higher at the wet site (p < 0.01), but no differences were observed for S. glauca. Additionally, B. nana Ks and LA95 showed different trends over the study period, with decreases observed at the dry site (p < 0.001), while for other responses no difference was observed. Our results indicate that, taking into account ontogenetic and allometric trends, hydraulic related xylem traits of both species, along with B. nana growth, were influenced by soil moisture. These findings suggest that soil moisture regime, but not snow cover, may determine xylem responses to future climate change and thus add to the heterogeneity of Arctic shrub dynamics, though more long-term species- and site- specific studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice C Power
- Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark.
| | - Signe Normand
- Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark; SustainScapes - Center for Sustainable Landscapes under Global Change, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - 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
| | - Bo Elberling
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Derek Corcoran
- Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark; SustainScapes - Center for Sustainable Landscapes under Global Change, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Amanda B Krog
- Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | | | - Urs Albert Treier
- Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark; SustainScapes - Center for Sustainable Landscapes under Global Change, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Andreas Westergaard-Nielsen
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yijing Liu
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Angela L Prendin
- Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark; Department of Land Environment Agriculture and Forestry (TeSAF), University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
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Zacharias M, Pampuch T, Dauphin B, Opgenoorth L, Roland C, Schnittler M, Wilmking M, Bog M, Heer K. Genetic basis of growth reaction to drought stress differs in contrasting high-latitude treeline ecotones of a widespread conifer. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:5165-5181. [PMID: 35951000 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of drought events in many boreal forests. Trees are sessile organisms with a long generation time, which makes them vulnerable to fast climate change and hinders fast adaptations. Therefore, it is important to know how forests cope with drought stress and to explore the genetic basis of these reactions. We investigated three natural populations of white spruce (Picea glauca) in Alaska, located at one drought-limited and two cold-limited treelines with a paired plot design of one forest and one treeline plot. We obtained individual increment cores from 458 trees and climate data to assess dendrophenotypes, in particular the growth reaction to drought stress. To explore the genetic basis of these dendrophenotypes, we genotyped the individual trees at 3000 single nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate genes and performed genotype-phenotype association analysis using linear mixed models and Bayesian sparse linear mixed models. Growth reaction to drought stress differed in contrasting treeline populations. Therefore, the populations are likely to be unevenly affected by climate change. We identified 40 genes associated with dendrophenotypic traits that differed among the treeline populations. Most genes were identified in the drought-limited site, indicating comparatively strong selection pressure of drought-tolerant phenotypes. Contrasting patterns of drought-associated genes among sampled sites and in comparison to Canadian populations in a previous study suggest that drought adaptation acts on a local scale. Our results highlight genes that are associated with wood traits which in turn are critical for the establishment and persistence of future forests under climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Zacharias
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Timo Pampuch
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Lars Opgenoorth
- Plant Ecology and Geobotany, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Carl Roland
- Denali National Park and Preserve, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| | - Martin Schnittler
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Wilmking
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Manuela Bog
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Katrin Heer
- Forest Genetics, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Zacharias M, Pampuch T, Heer K, Avanzi C, Würth DG, Trouillier M, Bog M, Wilmking M, Schnittler M. Population structure and the influence of microenvironment and genetic similarity on individual growth at Alaskan white spruce treelines. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 798:149267. [PMID: 34332391 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge on the adaptation of trees to rapid environmental changes is essential to preserve forests and their ecosystem services under climate change. Treeline populations are particularly suitable for studying adaptation processes in trees, as environmental stress together with reduced gene flow can enhance local adaptation. We investigated white spruce (Picea glauca) populations in Alaska on one moisture-limited and two cold-limited treeline sites with a paired plot design of one forest and one treeline population each, resulting in six plots. Additionally, one forest plot in the middle of the distribution range complements the study design. We combined spatial, climatic and dendrochronological data with neutral genetic marker of 2203 trees to investigate population genetic structure and drivers of tree growth. We used several individual-based approaches including random slope mixed-effects models to test the influence of genetic similarity and microenvironment on growth performance. A high degree of genetic diversity was found within each of the seven plots associated with high rates of gene flow. We discovered a low genetic differentiation between the three sites which was better explained by geographic distances than by environmental differences, indicating genetic drift as the main driver of population differentiation. Our findings indicated that microenvironmental features had an overall larger influence on growth performances than genetic similarity among individuals. The effects of climate on growth differed between sites but were smaller than the effect of tree size. Overall, our results suggest that the high genetic diversity of white spruce may result in a wider range of phenotypes which enhances the efficiency of selection when the species is facing rapid climatic changes. In addition, the large intra-individual variability in growth responses may indicate the high phenotypic plasticity of white spruce which can buffer short-term environmental changes and, thus, allow enduring the present changing climate conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Zacharias
- Institute of Botany und Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstr. 15, 17487 Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Timo Pampuch
- Institute of Botany und Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstr. 15, 17487 Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Katrin Heer
- Conservation Biology, University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Camilla Avanzi
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, National Research Council of Italy, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
| | - David G Würth
- Institute of Botany und Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstr. 15, 17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Mario Trouillier
- Institute of Botany und Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstr. 15, 17487 Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Manuela Bog
- Institute of Botany und Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstr. 15, 17487 Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Martin Wilmking
- Institute of Botany und Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstr. 15, 17487 Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Martin Schnittler
- Institute of Botany und Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Soldmannstr. 15, 17487 Greifswald, Germany.
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Pampuch T, Anadon-Rosell A, Trouillier M, Lange J, Wilmking M. Direct and Indirect Effects of Environmental Limitations on White Spruce Xylem Anatomy at Treeline. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:748055. [PMID: 34759941 PMCID: PMC8573320 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.748055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Treeline ecosystems are of great scientific interest to study the effects of limiting environmental conditions on tree growth. However, tree growth is multidimensional, with complex interactions between height and radial growth. In this study, we aimed to disentangle effects of height and climate on xylem anatomy of white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] at three treeline sites in Alaska; i.e., one warm and drought-limited, and two cold, temperature-limited. To analyze general growth differences between trees from different sites, we used data on annual ring width, diameter at breast height (DBH), and tree height. A representative subset of the samples was used to investigate xylem anatomical traits. We then used linear mixed-effects models to estimate the effects of height and climatic variables on our study traits. Our study showed that xylem anatomical traits in white spruce can be directly and indirectly controlled by environmental conditions: hydraulic-related traits seem to be mainly influenced by tree height, especially in the earlywood. Thus, they are indirectly driven by environmental conditions, through the environment's effects on tree height. Traits related to mechanical support show a direct response to environmental conditions, mainly temperature, especially in the latewood. These results highlight the importance of assessing tree growth in a multidimensional way by considering both direct and indirect effects of environmental forcing to better understand the complexity of tree growth responses to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Pampuch
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Alba Anadon-Rosell
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- CREAF – Centre for Research on Ecology and Forestry Applications, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mario Trouillier
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jelena Lange
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Physical Geography and Geoecology, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Wilmking
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Mifsud DV, Stüeken EE, Wilson RJS. A preliminary study into the use of tree-ring and foliar geochemistry as bio-indicators for vehicular NO x pollution in Malta. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2021; 57:301-315. [PMID: 33769149 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2021.1902319] [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: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Emissions from traffic over the past few decades have become a significant source of air pollution. Among the pollutants emitted are nitrogen oxides (NOx), exposure to which can be detrimental to public health. Recent studies have shown that nitrogen (N) stable isotope ratios in tree-rings and foliage express a fingerprint of their major N source, making them appropriate for bio-monitoring purposes. In this study, we have applied this proxy to Aleppo pines (Pinus halepensis) at three distances from one of the busiest roads in Malta, a country known to suffer from intense traffic pollution. Our results showed that N and organic carbon (C) stable isotope ratios in tree-rings do not vary over the period 1980-2018 at any of the investigated sites; however, statistically significant spatial trends were apparent in both tree-rings and foliage. The roadside and transitional sites exhibited more positive δ15N and more negative δ13C values compared to those at a rural control site. This is likely due to the incorporation of 15N-enriched NOx and 13C-depleted CO2 from traffic pollution. Sampled top-soil also exhibited the δ15N trend. Our results constitute the first known application of dendrogeochemistry to atmospheric pollution monitoring in Malta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan V Mifsud
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Eva E Stüeken
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Rob J S Wilson
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
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Lange J, Carrer M, Pisaric MFJ, Porter TJ, Seo JW, Trouillier M, Wilmking M. Moisture-driven shift in the climate sensitivity of white spruce xylem anatomical traits is coupled to large-scale oscillation patterns across northern treeline in northwest North America. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:1842-1856. [PMID: 31799729 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Tree growth at northern treelines is generally temperature-limited due to cold and short growing seasons. However, temperature-induced drought stress was repeatedly reported for certain regions of the boreal forest in northwestern North America, provoked by a significant increase in temperature and possibly reinforced by a regime shift of the pacific decadal oscillation (PDO). The aim of this study is to better understand physiological growth reactions of white spruce, a dominant species of the North American boreal forest, to PDO regime shifts using quantitative wood anatomy and traditional tree-ring width (TRW) analysis. We investigated white spruce growth at latitudinal treeline across a >1,000 km gradient in northwestern North America. Functionally important xylem anatomical traits (lumen area, cell-wall thickness, cell number) and TRW were correlated with the drought-sensitive standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration index of the growing season. Correlations were computed separately for complete phases of the PDO in the 20th century, representing alternating warm/dry (1925-1946), cool/wet (1947-1976) and again warm/dry (1977-1998) climate regimes. Xylem anatomical traits revealed water-limiting conditions in both warm/dry PDO regimes, while no or spatially contrasting associations were found for the cool/wet regime, indicating a moisture-driven shift in growth-limiting factors between PDO periods. TRW reflected only the last shift of 1976/1977, suggesting different climate thresholds and a higher sensitivity to moisture availability of xylem anatomical traits compared to TRW. This high sensitivity of xylem anatomical traits permits to identify first signs of moisture-driven growth in treeline white spruce at an early stage, suggesting quantitative wood anatomy being a powerful tool to study climate change effects in the northwestern North American treeline ecotone. Projected temperature increase might challenge growth performance of white spruce as a key component of the North American boreal forest biome in the future, when drier conditions are likely to occur with higher frequency and intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Lange
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marco Carrer
- Department TESAF, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Michael F J Pisaric
- Department of Geography and Tourism Studies, Brock University, Saint Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Trevor J Porter
- Department of Geography, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Jeong-Wook Seo
- Department of Wood & Paper Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Mario Trouillier
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Wilmking
- Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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