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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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2
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Ahmad I, Sohail M, Hameed M, Fatima S, Ahmad MSA, Ahmad F, Mehmood A, Basharat S, Asghar A, Shah SMR, Ahmad KS. Morpho-anatomical determinants of yield potential in Olea europaea L. cultivars belonging to diversified origin grown in semi-arid environments. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286736. [PMID: 37285364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant performance is mainly estimated based on plant architecture, leaf features and internal microstructural changes. Olive (Olea europaea L.) is a drought tolerant, oil yielding, and medium sized woody tree that shows specific structural and functional modifications under changing environment. This study was aimed to know the microstructural alteration involving in growth and yield responses of different Olive cultivars. Eleven cultivars were collected all over the world and were planted at Olive germplasm unit, Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal (Punjab) Pakistan, during September to November 2017. Plant material was collected to correlate morpho-anatomical traits with yield contributing characteristics. Overall, the studied morphological characters, yield and yield parameters, and root, stem and leaf anatomical features varied highly significantly in all olive cultivars. The most promising cultivar regarding yield was Erlik, in which plant height seed weight and root anatomical characteristics, i.e., epidermal thickness and phloem thickness, stem features like collenchymatous thickness, phloem thickness and metaxylem vessel diameter, and leaf traits like midrib thickness, palisade cell thickness a phloem thickness were the maximum. The second best Hamdi showed the maximum plant height, fruit length, weight and diameter and seed length and weight. It also showed maximum stem phloem thickness, midrib and lamina thicknesses, palisade cell thickness. Fruit yield in the studied olive cultivars can be more closely linked to high proportion of storage parenchyma, broader xylem vessels and phloem proportion, dermal tissue, and high proportion of collenchyma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iftikhar Ahmad
- Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Sohail
- Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Mansoor Hameed
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Sana Fatima
- Department of Botany, The Government Sadiq College Women University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | | | - Farooq Ahmad
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ansar Mehmood
- Department of Botany, University of Poonch Rawlakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Sana Basharat
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ansa Asghar
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Syed Mohsan Raza Shah
- Department of Botany, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan
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Ribeiro-Júnior NG, Marimon BH, Marimon BS, Cruz WJA, Silva IV, Galbraith DR, Gloor E, Phillips OL. Anatomical functional traits and hydraulic vulnerability of trees in different water conditions in southern Amazonia. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2023; 110:e16146. [PMID: 36826405 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Understanding tree species' responses to drought is critical for predicting the future of tropical forests, especially in regions where the climate is changing rapidly. METHODS We compared anatomical and functional traits of the dominant tree species of two tropical forests in southern Amazonia, one on deep, well-drained soils (cerradão [CD]) and one in a riparian environment (gallery forest [GF]), to examine potential anatomical indicators of resistance or vulnerability to drought. RESULTS Leaves of CD species generally had a thicker cuticle, upper epidermis, and mesophyll than those of GF species, traits that are indicative of adaptation to water deficit. In the GF, the theoretical hydraulic conductivity of the stems was significantly higher, indicating lower investment in drought resistance. The anatomical functional traits of CD species indicate a greater potential for surviving water restriction compared to the GF. Even so, it is possible that CD species could also be affected by extreme climate changes due to the more water-limited environment. CONCLUSIONS In addition to the marked anatomical and functional differences between these phytophysiognomies, tree diversity within each is associated with a large range of hydraulic morphofunctional niches. Our results suggest the strong potential for floristic and functional compositional shifts under continued climate change, especially in the GF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norberto G Ribeiro-Júnior
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Rua Prof. Dr. Renato Figueiro Varella, 78690-000, Nova Xavantina-MT, Brasil
- Diretoria Regional de Educação de Sinop, Secretaria de Estado de Educação de Mato Grosso, Rua dos Lírios, 78500-007, Sinop-MT, Brasil
| | - Ben Hur Marimon
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Rua Prof. Dr. Renato Figueiro Varella, 78690-000, Nova Xavantina-MT, Brasil
| | - Beatriz S Marimon
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Rua Prof. Dr. Renato Figueiro Varella, 78690-000, Nova Xavantina-MT, Brasil
| | - Wesley J A Cruz
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Rua Prof. Dr. Renato Figueiro Varella, 78690-000, Nova Xavantina-MT, Brasil
| | - Ivone V Silva
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Agroecossistemas, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Avenida Perimetral Rogério Silva, 4930, 78580-000, Alta Floresta-MT, Brasil
| | | | - Emanuel Gloor
- School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
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Song Y, Jin G. Do Tree Size and Tree Shade Tolerance Affect the Photosynthetic Capacity of Broad-Leaved Tree Species? PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:523. [PMID: 36771608 PMCID: PMC9921863 DOI: 10.3390/plants12030523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: leaf structure traits are closely related to leaf photosynthesis, reflecting the ability of trees to obtain external resources in the process of growth. (2) Methods: We studied the morphological, chemical, anatomical, stomatal traits and maximum net photosynthetic rate of six broad-leaf species in northern temperate mixed broad-leaved Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forest. (3) Aim: To investigate whether there are differences in leaf structural traits of trees with different shade tolerances and different sizes and the effects of these differences on leaf photosynthetic capacity. (4) Results: the effects of leaf structure traits on leaf photosynthesis were different among trees with different shade tolerances or different sizes. Under the condition of light saturation, the net photosynthetic rate, nitrogen use efficiency, phosphorus use efficiency and stomatal conductance of shade-intolerant trees or small trees were higher than those of shade-tolerant trees or large trees. (5) Conclusions: the shade tolerance of tree species or the size of trees affect the traits of leaf structure and indirectly affect the photosynthetic ability of plants. When constructing the leaf trait-photosynthesis model, the shade tolerance and tree size of tree species should be taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Song
- Center for Ecological Research, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Guangze Jin
- Center for Ecological Research, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
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5
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Rooney R, Ishii HR, Cavaleri MA. Intra‐crown variation of leaf mass per area of
Fagus crenata
is driven by light acclimation of leaf thickness and hydraulic acclimation of leaf density. Ecol Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.12361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Rooney
- College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Michigan Technological University Houghton Michigan USA
- Department of Biology University of Minnesota Duluth Duluth Minnesota USA
| | - H. Roaki Ishii
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science Kobe University Kobe Japan
| | - Molly A. Cavaleri
- College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Michigan Technological University Houghton Michigan USA
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6
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Hernandez JO, Park BB. The Leaf Trichome, Venation, and Mesophyll Structural Traits Play Important Roles in the Physiological Responses of Oak Seedlings to Water-Deficit Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158640. [PMID: 35955770 PMCID: PMC9369340 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effects of water-deficit stress on the leaf anatomical traits, physiological traits, and stem starch content in Quercus acutissima Carruth and Quercus serrata Murray by subjecting their seedlings to well-watered (WW) and water-deficit stress (WS) treatments. The water stress-induced changes in trichome density, trichome-to-stomata ratio, mesophyll thickness, vein density, vein distance, vein loopiness, vessel diameter, transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), water use efficiency (WUE), and starch content were analyzed between two time points. While trichome density did not vary between treatments in Q. acutissima, it dramatically increased in Q. serrata (62.63–98.96 trichomes mm−2) at the final week. The WS-treated seedlings had a thicker palisade mesophyll (162.85–169.56 µm) than the WW-treated samples (118.56–132.25 µm) in both species. The vein density and loopiness increased significantly in the WS-treated Q. serrata seedlings. Small-sized vessels (10–50 µm) were more frequent in the WS than the WW in Q. serrata. The E, gs, WUE, and starch content declined significantly in the WS-treated seedlings compared with WW-treated samples in both species. Further, principal component analysis revealed significant relationships between anatomical and physiological traits, particularly in the WS-treated seedlings of Q. serrata. The coordinated changes in leaf anatomical traits, physiological traits, and stem starch content indicate an important role in the survival of Q. acutissima and Q. serrata seedlings in water-deficit stress environments, although Q. serrata may show higher survivability under prolonged water stress than Q. acutissima.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan O. Hernandez
- Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines;
- Department of Environment and Forest Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Byung Bae Park
- Department of Environment and Forest Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
- Correspondence:
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7
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Leaf Anatomical Plasticity of Phyllostachys glauca McClure in Limestone Mountains Was Associated with Both Soil Water and Soil Nutrients. FORESTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/f13040493] [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
Little is known on how karst plants adapt to highly heterogeneous habitats via adjusting leaf anatomical structures. Phyllostachys glauca McClure is a dominant species that grow across different microhabitats in the limestone mountains of Jiangxi Province, China. We investigated the leaf anatomical structures, plant biomass, soil water content, soil total nitrogen (TN), and soil total phosphorus (TP) from three habitats characterized by different rock exposure, including high rock exposure (HRE), medium rock exposure (MRE) and low rock exposure (LRE), and aimed to discern the relationships between the leaf anatomical plasticity and edaphic factors. The leaves of P. glauca in different habitats showed significant anatomical plasticity in two aspects. First, the leaves adjusted cuticle thickness, papillae length, bulliform cell size and mesophyll thickness to lower water loss and then adapt to the water-deficient habitats (HRE). Second, the leaves enlarged vessels and vascular bundles (first-order and second-order parallel veins) to improve water and nutrient transportation and then enhance plant growth in nitrogen-rich habitats (HRE). Soil water and soil nutrients purely explained the total variation of leaf anatomical traits by 21.7% and 15.7%, respectively, and had a shared proportion of 15.8%. Our results indicated that the leaf anatomical variations in different habitats were associated with both soil water and soil nutrients. Moreover, we found that leaf anatomical structures were more affected by TN than TP. The present study advanced the current understanding of the strategies employed by karst plants to cope with highly heterogeneous habitats via leaf anatomical plasticity.
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8
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Abstract
Drought and waterlogging seriously affect the growth of plants and are considered severe constraints on agricultural and forestry productivity; their frequency and degree have increased over time due to global climate change. The morphology, photosynthetic activity, antioxidant enzyme system and hormone levels of plants could change in response to water stress. The mechanisms of these changes are introduced in this review, along with research on key transcription factors and genes. Both drought and waterlogging stress similarly impact leaf morphology (such as wilting and crimping) and inhibit photosynthesis. The former affects the absorption and transportation mechanisms of plants, and the lack of water and nutrients inhibits the formation of chlorophyll, which leads to reduced photosynthetic capacity. Constitutive overexpression of 9-cis-epoxydioxygenase (NCED) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), key enzymes in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis, increases drought resistance. The latter forces leaf stomata to close in response to chemical signals, which are produced by the roots and transferred aboveground, affecting the absorption capacity of CO2, and reducing photosynthetic substrates. The root system produces adventitious roots and forms aerenchymal to adapt the stresses. Ethylene (ETH) is the main response hormone of plants to waterlogging stress, and is a member of the ERFVII subfamily, which includes response factors involved in hypoxia-induced gene expression, and responds to energy expenditure through anaerobic respiration. There are two potential adaptation mechanisms of plants (“static” or “escape”) through ETH-mediated gibberellin (GA) dynamic equilibrium to waterlogging stress in the present studies. Plant signal transduction pathways, after receiving stress stimulus signals as well as the regulatory mechanism of the subsequent synthesis of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymes to produce ethanol under a hypoxic environment caused by waterlogging, should be considered. This review provides a theoretical basis for plants to improve water stress tolerance and water-resistant breeding.
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9
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Didion‐Gency M, Bachofen C, Buchmann N, Gessler A, Morin X, Vicente E, Vollenweider P, Grossiord C. Interactive effects of tree species mixture and climate on foliar and woody trait variation in a widely distributed deciduous tree. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Didion‐Gency
- Forest Dynamics Unit Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
| | - Christoph Bachofen
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL School of Architecture Civil and Environmental Engineering EPFL Lausanne Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape WSL Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Nina Buchmann
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences ETH Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Arthur Gessler
- Forest Dynamics Unit Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
- Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems ETH Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Xavier Morin
- CEFEUniversité de Montpellier—CNRSEPHEIRDUniv. Paul Valéry Montpellier 3 Montpellier France
| | - Eduardo Vicente
- Department of Ecology Joint Research Unit University of Alicante—CEAMUniversity of Alicante Alicante Spain
| | - Pierre Vollenweider
- Forest Dynamics Unit Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Grossiord
- Plant Ecology Research Laboratory PERL School of Architecture Civil and Environmental Engineering EPFL Lausanne Switzerland
- Community Ecology Unit Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape WSL Lausanne Switzerland
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10
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Liu X, Chen H, Sun T, Li D, Wang X, Mo W, Wang R, Zhang S. Variation in woody leaf anatomical traits along the altitudinal gradient in Taibai Mountain, China. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
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11
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Bartholomew DC, Bittencourt PRL, da Costa ACL, Banin LF, de Britto Costa P, Coughlin SI, Domingues TF, Ferreira LV, Giles A, Mencuccini M, Mercado L, Miatto RC, Oliveira A, Oliveira R, Meir P, Rowland L. Small tropical forest trees have a greater capacity to adjust carbon metabolism to long-term drought than large canopy trees. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2020; 43:2380-2393. [PMID: 32643169 DOI: 10.1111/pce.13838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The response of small understory trees to long-term drought is vital in determining the future composition, carbon stocks and dynamics of tropical forests. Long-term drought is, however, also likely to expose understory trees to increased light availability driven by drought-induced mortality. Relatively little is known about the potential for understory trees to adjust their physiology to both decreasing water and increasing light availability. We analysed data on maximum photosynthetic capacity (Jmax , Vcmax ), leaf respiration (Rleaf ), leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf thickness and leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations from 66 small trees across 12 common genera at the world's longest running tropical rainfall exclusion experiment and compared responses to those from 61 surviving canopy trees. Small trees increased Jmax , Vcmax , Rleaf and LMA (71, 29, 32, 15% respectively) in response to the drought treatment, but leaf thickness and leaf nutrient concentrations did not change. Small trees were significantly more responsive than large canopy trees to the drought treatment, suggesting greater phenotypic plasticity and resilience to prolonged drought, although differences among taxa were observed. Our results highlight that small tropical trees have greater capacity to respond to ecosystem level changes and have the potential to regenerate resilient forests following future droughts.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Bartholomew
- School of Geography, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Paulo R L Bittencourt
- School of Geography, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Instituto de Biologia, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Sarah I Coughlin
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Tomas F Domingues
- Departamento de Biologia, FFCLRP, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - André Giles
- Instituto de Biologia, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Maurizio Mencuccini
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
- CREAF, Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lina Mercado
- School of Geography, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, UK
| | - Raquel C Miatto
- Departamento de Biologia, FFCLRP, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael Oliveira
- Instituto de Biologia, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Patrick Meir
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lucy Rowland
- School of Geography, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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12
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Velikova V, Arena C, Izzo LG, Tsonev T, Koleva D, Tattini M, Roeva O, De Maio A, Loreto F. Functional and Structural Leaf Plasticity Determine Photosynthetic Performances during Drought Stress and Recovery in Two Platanus orientalis Populations from Contrasting Habitats. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3912. [PMID: 32486179 PMCID: PMC7312932 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the context of climatic change, more severe and long-lasting droughts will modify the fitness of plants, with potentially worse consequences on the relict trees. We have investigated the leaf phenotypic (anatomical, physiological and biochemical) plasticity in well-watered, drought-stressed and re-watered plants of two populations of Platanus orientalis, an endangered species in the west of the Mediterranean area. The two populations originated in contrasting climate (drier and warmer, Italy (IT) population; more humid and colder, Bulgaria (BG) population). The IT control plants had thicker leaves, enabling them to maintain higher leaf water content in the dry environment, and more spongy parenchyma, which could improve water conductivity of these plants and may result in easier CO2 diffusion than in BG plants. Control BG plants were also characterized by higher photorespiration and leaf antioxidants compared to IT plants. BG plants responded to drought with greater leaf thickness shrinkage. Drought also caused substantial reduction in photosynthetic parameters of both IT and BG plants. After re-watering, photosynthesis did not fully recover in either of the two populations. However, IT leaves became thicker, while photorespiration in BG plants further increased, perhaps indicating sustained activation of defensive mechanisms. Overall, our hypothesis, that plants with a fragmented habitat (i.e., the IT population) lose phenotypic plasticity but acquire traits allowing better resistance to the climate where they became adapted, remains confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Velikova
- Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str. bl. 21, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
| | - Carmen Arena
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (C.A.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Luigi Gennaro Izzo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy;
| | - Tsonko Tsonev
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria; (T.T.); (O.R.)
| | | | - Massimiliano Tattini
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Sciences, The National Research Council of Italy (CNR), I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy;
| | - Olympia Roeva
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria; (T.T.); (O.R.)
| | - Anna De Maio
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (C.A.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Francesco Loreto
- Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Sciences, The National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00185 Rome, Italy
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13
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Leaf structure and seed histochemistry analyses provided structural insights into the improved yield and quality of tree peony seed under light shading conditions. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4328. [PMID: 32152443 PMCID: PMC7062827 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61366-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In biology, structure is the basis of function. For plants, changes in their physiological and ecological functions are usually caused by structural changes. To understand how shading conditions change the plant structures, thereby providing structural insights into the improved yield and quality, oilseed tree peony were shaded with different densities of polyethylene nets from 28 days after pollination (DAP) until harvesting. The thickness of the leaf (LT), vein (VT), upper epidermis (UET), lower epidermis (LET), palisade tissue (PT), sponge tissue (ST), as well as the accumulation and distribution of starch, protein, and fat, were observed at 14-day intervals. The results showed that shading had a significant effect on the anatomical structure of the leaves. In the rapid growth period (before 70 DAP), the LT, ET, and VT under shading were significantly lower than under non-shading. During this period, the accumulation of starch and protein under shading was lower than that under non-shading. At the maturation period (99-112 DAP), the LT and PT under shading were higher than under non-shading, indicating that light shading delayed leaf senescence and increased photosynthetic capacity. Shading delayed the degradation of the integument cells and prolonged seed development and nutrient accumulation.
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Tng DYP, Apgaua DMG, Ishida YF, Mencuccini M, Lloyd J, Laurance WF, Laurance SGW. Rainforest trees respond to drought by modifying their hydraulic architecture. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:12479-12491. [PMID: 30619559 PMCID: PMC6308889 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased drought is forecasted for tropical regions, with severe implications for the health and function of forest ecosystems. How mature forest trees will respond to water deficit is poorly known. We investigated wood anatomy and leaf traits in lowland tropical forest trees after 24 months of experimental rainfall exclusion. Sampling sun-exposed young canopy branches from target species, we found species-specific systematic variation in hydraulic-related wood anatomy and leaf traits in response to drought stress. Relative to controls, drought-affected individuals of different tree species variously exhibited trait measures consistent with increasing hydraulic safety. These included narrower or less vessels, reduced vessel groupings, lower theoretical water conductivities, less water storage tissue and more abundant fiber in their wood, and more occluded vessels. Drought-affected individuals also had thinner leaves, and more negative pre-dawn or mid-day leaf water potentials. Future studies examining both wood and leaf hydraulic traits should improve the representation of plant hydraulics within terrestrial ecosystem and biosphere models, and help fine-tune predictions of how future climate changes will affect tropical forests globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Y. P. Tng
- Centre for Tropical, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversitySmithfieldQueenslandAustralia
- Instituto de BiologiaUniversidade Federal da BahiaSalvadorBahiaBrazil
| | - Deborah M. G. Apgaua
- Centre for Tropical, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversitySmithfieldQueenslandAustralia
| | - Yoko F. Ishida
- Centre for Tropical, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversitySmithfieldQueenslandAustralia
| | - Maurizio Mencuccini
- ICREAPg. Lluís CompanysBarcelonaSpain
- CREAFUniversidad Autonoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Jon Lloyd
- Centre for Tropical, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversitySmithfieldQueenslandAustralia
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College LondonAscotUK
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciencias e Letras de Ribeirao PretoUniversidade de Sao PauloRibeirao PretoBrazil
| | - William F. Laurance
- Centre for Tropical, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversitySmithfieldQueenslandAustralia
| | - Susan G. W. Laurance
- Centre for Tropical, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversitySmithfieldQueenslandAustralia
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15
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Meir P, Mencuccini M, Binks O, da Costa AL, Ferreira L, Rowland L. Short-term effects of drought on tropical forest do not fully predict impacts of repeated or long-term drought: gas exchange versus growth. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 373:20170311. [PMID: 30297468 PMCID: PMC6178433 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Are short-term responses by tropical rainforest to drought (e.g. during El Niño) sufficient to predict changes over the long-term, or from repeated drought? Using the world's only long-term (16-year) drought experiment in tropical forest we examine predictability from short-term measurements (1-2 years). Transpiration was maximized in droughted forest: it consumed all available throughfall throughout the 16 years of study. Leaf photosynthetic capacity [Formula: see text] was maintained, but only when averaged across tree size groups. Annual transpiration in droughted forest was less than in control, with initial reductions (at high biomass) imposed by foliar stomatal control. Tree mortality increased after year three, leading to an overall biomass loss of 40%; over the long-term, the main constraint on transpiration was thus imposed by the associated reduction in sapwood area. Altered tree mortality risk may prove predictable from soil and plant hydraulics, but additional monitoring is needed to test whether future biomass will stabilize or collapse. Allocation of assimilate differed over time: stem growth and reproductive output declined in the short-term, but following mortality-related changes in resource availability, both showed long-term resilience, with partial or full recovery. Understanding and simulation of these phenomena and related trade-offs in allocation will advance more effectively through greater use of optimization and probabilistic modelling approaches.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'The impact of the 2015/2016 El Niño on the terrestrial tropical carbon cycle: patterns, mechanisms and implications'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Meir
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
- School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
| | - Maurizio Mencuccini
- CREAF, Campus UAB, Cerdanyola del Vallés 08193, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Oliver Binks
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Antonio Lola da Costa
- Instituto de Geosciências, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA 66075-110, Brazil
| | | | - Lucy Rowland
- Geography, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Amory Building, Exeter EX4 4RJ, UK
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The Responses of Plant Leaf CO2/H2O Exchange and Water Use Efficiency to Drought: A Meta-Analysis. SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/su10020551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Persistent drought severely inhibits plant growth and productivity, which negatively affects terrestrial primary productivity worldwide. Therefore, it is important to investigate the impacts of drought on plant leaf CO2/H2O exchange and water use efficiency. This study assessed the responses of net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration (Tr), and instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE) to drought based on a worldwide meta-analysis of 112 published studies. The results demonstrated that drought decreased Pn, Tr, and Gs significantly and differently among different moderators. C4 plants had smaller Pn reduction than C3 plants, which gives C4 plants an advantage in Pn. But their WUE decreased under drought conditions, indicating a great flexibility in C4 WUE. Annual herbs sacrificed WUE (−6.2%) to maintain efficient Pn. Perennial herbs took a different strategy in response to drought with an increased WUE (25.1%). Deciduous tree species displayed a greater increase in WUE than conifers and evergreen species. Additionally, Gs had a significant correlation with Pn and Tr, but an insignificant correlation with WUE, which could be because WUE is affected by other factors (e.g., air flow, CO2 concentration, and relative humidity). These findings have significant implications for understanding the worldwide effects of drought on plant leaf CO2/H2O exchange and water use efficiency.
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Powell TL, Wheeler JK, de Oliveira AAR, da Costa ACL, Saleska SR, Meir P, Moorcroft PR. Differences in xylem and leaf hydraulic traits explain differences in drought tolerance among mature Amazon rainforest trees. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:4280-4293. [PMID: 28426175 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Considerable uncertainty surrounds the impacts of anthropogenic climate change on the composition and structure of Amazon forests. Building upon results from two large-scale ecosystem drought experiments in the eastern Brazilian Amazon that observed increases in mortality rates among some tree species but not others, in this study we investigate the physiological traits underpinning these differential demographic responses. Xylem pressure at 50% conductivity (xylem-P50 ), leaf turgor loss point (TLP), cellular osmotic potential (πo ), and cellular bulk modulus of elasticity (ε), all traits mechanistically linked to drought tolerance, were measured on upper canopy branches and leaves of mature trees from selected species growing at the two drought experiment sites. Each species was placed a priori into one of four plant functional type (PFT) categories: drought-tolerant versus drought-intolerant based on observed mortality rates, and subdivided into early- versus late-successional based on wood density. We tested the hypotheses that the measured traits would be significantly different between the four PFTs and that they would be spatially conserved across the two experimental sites. Xylem-P50 , TLP, and πo , but not ε, occurred at significantly higher water potentials for the drought-intolerant PFT compared to the drought-tolerant PFT; however, there were no significant differences between the early- and late-successional PFTs. These results suggest that these three traits are important for determining drought tolerance, and are largely independent of wood density-a trait commonly associated with successional status. Differences in these physiological traits that occurred between the drought-tolerant and drought-intolerant PFTs were conserved between the two research sites, even though they had different soil types and dry-season lengths. This more detailed understanding of how xylem and leaf hydraulic traits vary between co-occuring drought-tolerant and drought-intolerant tropical tree species promises to facilitate a much-needed improvement in the representation of plant hydraulics within terrestrial ecosystem and biosphere models, which will enhance our ability to make robust predictions of how future changes in climate will affect tropical forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L Powell
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - James K Wheeler
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Alex A R de Oliveira
- Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Evolução, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | | | - Scott R Saleska
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Patrick Meir
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Paul R Moorcroft
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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