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Song G, Wang Q, Zhuang J, Jin J. Timely estimation of leaf chlorophyll fluorescence parameters under varying light regimes by coupling light drivers to leaf traits. Physiol Plant 2023; 175:e14048. [PMID: 37882289 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Unveiling informative chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) parameters and leaf morphological/biochemical traits under varying light conditions is important in ecological studies but has less been investigated. In this study, the trait-ChlF relationship and regressive estimation of ChlF parameters from leaf traits under varying light conditions were investigated using a dataset of synchronous measurements of ChlF parameters and leaf morphological/biochemical traits in Mangifera indica L. The results showed that the relationships between ChlF parameters and leaf traits varied across light intensities, as indicated by different slopes and intercepts, highlighting the limitations of using leaf traits alone to capture the dynamics of ChlF parameters. Light drivers, on the other hand, showed a better predictive ability for light-dependent ChlF parameters compared to leaf traits, with light intensity having a large effect on light-dependent ChlF parameters. Furthermore, the responses of ФF and NPQ to light drivers differed between leaf types, with light intensity having an effect on ФF in shaded leaves, whereas it had a primary effect on NPQ in sunlit leaves. These results facilitate and deepen our understanding of how the light environment affects leaf structure and function and, therefore, provide the theoretical basis for understanding plant ecological strategies in response to the light environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangman Song
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Quan Wang
- Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Jie Zhuang
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Jia Jin
- Institute of Geography and Oceanography, Nanning Normal University, P. R. China
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Swoczyna T, Kalaji HM, Bussotti F, Mojski J, Pollastrini M. Environmental stress - what can we learn from chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis in woody plants? A review. Front Plant Sci 2022; 13:1048582. [PMID: 36589121 PMCID: PMC9795016 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1048582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChF) signal analysis has become a widely used and rapid, non-invasive technique to study the photosynthetic process under stress conditions. It monitors plant responses to various environmental factors affecting plants under experimental and field conditions. Thus, it enables extensive research in ecology and benefits forestry, agriculture, horticulture, and arboriculture. Woody plants, especially trees, as organisms with a considerable life span, have a different life strategy than herbaceous plants and show more complex responses to stress. The range of changes in photosynthetic efficiency of trees depends on their age, ontogeny, species-specific characteristics, and acclimation ability. This review compiles the results of the most commonly used ChF techniques at the foliar scale. We describe the results of experimental studies to identify stress factors that affect photosynthetic efficiency and analyse the experience of assessing tree vigour in natural and human-modified environments. We discuss both the circumstances under which ChF can be successfully used to assess woody plant health and the ChF parameters that can be useful in field research. Finally, we summarise the advantages and limitations of the ChF method in research on trees, shrubs, and woody vines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Swoczyna
- Department of Environment Protection and Dendrology, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hazem M. Kalaji
- Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Filippo Bussotti
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Jacek Mojski
- Twój Swiat Jacek Mojski, Łukow, Poland
- Fundacja Zielona Infrastruktura, Łukow, Poland
| | - Martina Pollastrini
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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3
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Mendes KR, Batista-Silva W, Dias-Pereira J, Pereira MPS, Souza EV, Serrão JE, Granja JAA, Pereira EC, Gallacher DJ, Mutti PR, da Silva DTC, de Souza Júnior RS, Costa GB, Bezerra BG, Silva CMSE, Pompelli MF. Leaf plasticity across wet and dry seasons in Croton blanchetianus (Euphorbiaceae) at a tropical dry forest. Sci Rep 2022; 12:954. [PMID: 35046463 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04958-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant species of the Brazilian Caatinga experience seasonal wet and dry extremes, requiring seasonally different leaf characteristics for optimizing water availability. We investigated if Croton blanchetianus Baill exhibits leaf morphoanatomical traits across seasons and positioning in sunlight/natural shade. Leaves of ten 1-3 m tall plants in full sunlight and ten in natural shade were assessed in May, July (wet season), October and December (dry season) 2015 for gas exchange, leaf size, lamina and midrib cross sections (14 parameters), and chloroplast structure (5 parameters). Net photosynthesis was greater during the wet season (21.6 µm−2 s−1) compared to the dry season (5.8 µm−2 s−1) and was strongly correlated with almost all measured parameters (p < 0.01). Shaded leaves in the wet season had higher specific leaf area (19.9 m2 kg−1 in full-sun and 23.1 m2 kg−1 in shade), but in the dry season they did not differ from those in full sun (7.5 m2 kg−1 and 7.2 m2 kg−1). In the wet season, the expansion of the adaxial epidermis and mesophyll lead to larger and thicker photosynthetic area of leaves. Furthermore, chloroplast thickness, length and area were also significantly larger in full sunlight (2.1 μm, 5.1 μm, 15.2 μm2; respectively) and shaded plants (2.0 μm, 5.2 μm, 14.8 μm2; respectively) during wetter months. Croton blanchetianus exhibits seasonal plasticity in leaf structure, presumably to optimize water use efficiency during seasons of water abundance and deficit. These results suggest that the species is adaptable to the increased drought stress projected by climate change scenarios.
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Suchocka M, Swoczyna T, Kosno-Jończy J, Kalaji HM. Impact of heavy pruning on development and photosynthesis of Tilia cordata Mill. trees. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256465. [PMID: 34424935 PMCID: PMC8382193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tree pruning is carried out to reduce conflict with infrastructure, buildings, and any other human activity. However, heavy pruning may result in a diminished tree crown capacity for sugar production and exposure to fungal infection. This risk leads to a decrease in tree stability or vigour. In this work, we analysed the effect of heavy pruning of roadside trees on the photosynthetic performance process compared to neighbouring unpruned trees. Four years of tree crown growth was studied by terrestrial imaging. Tree vitality (Roloff's classification) and risk (Visual Tree Assessment) were evaluated. Over-pruned trees showed intensified photosynthetic efficiency during the growing season following pruning. Particularly ET0/TR0 and PIABS tended to increase in pruned trees while higher Fv/Fm was noted only in late October, suggesting delayed leaf senescence. After four years, pruned trees rebuilt their crowns, however not in their entirety. Results obtained from biometric, vitality, and risk assessment showed high differentiation in pruned tree crown recovery. Our results revealed that despite the intensified efforts of trees to recover from wounding effects, severe pruning evokes dieback occurrence and a higher risk of failure in mature trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzena Suchocka
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences–SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tatiana Swoczyna
- Department of Environment Protection and Dendrology, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences–SGGW, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Joanna Kosno-Jończy
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences–SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hazem M. Kalaji
- Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences–SGGW, Warszawa, Poland
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Ampoorter E, Barbaro L, Jactel H, Baeten L, Boberg J, Carnol M, Castagneyrol B, Charbonnier Y, Dawud SM, Deconchat M, Smedt PD, Wandeler HD, Guyot V, Hättenschwiler S, Joly F, Koricheva J, Milligan H, Muys B, Nguyen D, Ratcliffe S, Raulund‐Rasmussen K, Scherer‐Lorenzen M, van der Plas F, Keer JV, Verheyen K, Vesterdal L, Allan E. Tree diversity is key for promoting the diversity and abundance of forest‐associated taxa in Europe. OIKOS 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.06290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Evy Ampoorter
- Forest and Nature Lab, Campus Gontrode, Dept of Environment, Ghent Univ. Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267 BE‐9090 Melle‐Gontrode Belgium
| | - Luc Barbaro
- DYNAFOR, Univ. de Toulouse, INRA, INPT, INPT‐EL PURPAN Castanet‐Tolosan France
| | | | - Lander Baeten
- Forest and Nature Lab, Campus Gontrode, Dept of Environment, Ghent Univ. Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267 BE‐9090 Melle‐Gontrode Belgium
- CESCO, Museum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne‐Univ. Paris France
| | - Johanna Boberg
- Dept of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Monique Carnol
- Laboratory of Plant and Microbial Ecology, InBioS, Dept of Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Univ. of Liège Liège Belgium
| | | | | | - Seid Muhie Dawud
- Dept of Forestry, College of Agriculture, Wollo Univ. Dessie Ethiopia
| | - Marc Deconchat
- DYNAFOR, Univ. de Toulouse, INRA, INPT, INPT‐EL PURPAN Castanet‐Tolosan France
| | - Pallieter De Smedt
- Forest and Nature Lab, Campus Gontrode, Dept of Environment, Ghent Univ. Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267 BE‐9090 Melle‐Gontrode Belgium
| | - Hans De Wandeler
- Dept of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Virginie Guyot
- DYNAFOR, Univ. de Toulouse, INRA, INPT, INPT‐EL PURPAN Castanet‐Tolosan France
- Biogeco, INRA, Univ. de Bordeaux Cestas France
| | - Stephan Hättenschwiler
- Centre of Evolutionary and Functional Ecology, UMR5175, CNRS – Univ. of Montpellier – Univ. Paul‐Valéry Montpellier – EPHE 1919 Montpellier France
| | | | - Julia Koricheva
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway Univ. of London, Egham Surrey UK
| | - Harriet Milligan
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway Univ. of London, Egham Surrey UK
| | - Bart Muys
- Dept of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Diem Nguyen
- Dept of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
- Dept of Organismal Biology, Uppsala Univ. Uppsala Sweden
| | - Sophia Ratcliffe
- Dept of Systematic Botany and Functional Biodiversity, Univ. of Leipzig Leipzig Germany
| | | | | | - Fons van der Plas
- Dept of Systematic Botany and Functional Biodiversity, Univ. of Leipzig Leipzig Germany
| | | | - Kris Verheyen
- Forest and Nature Lab, Campus Gontrode, Dept of Environment, Ghent Univ. Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267 BE‐9090 Melle‐Gontrode Belgium
| | - Lars Vesterdal
- Dept of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Univ. of Copenhagen Frederiksberg Denmark
| | - Eric Allan
- Inst. of Plant Sciences, Univ. of Bern Bern Switzerland
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Kaitaniemi P, Lintunen A, Sievänen R, Perttunen J. Computational analysis of the effects of light gradients and neighbouring species on foliar nitrogen. ECOL INFORM 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Lübbe T, Schuldt B, Leuschner C. Acclimation of leaf water status and stem hydraulics to drought and tree neighbourhood: alternative strategies among the saplings of five temperate deciduous tree species. Tree Physiol 2017; 37:456-468. [PMID: 27881798 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpw095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Adjustment in leaf water status parameters and modification in xylem structure and functioning can be important elements of a tree's response to continued water limitation. In a growth trial with saplings of five co-occurring temperate broad-leaved tree species (genera Fraxinus, Acer, Carpinus, Tilia and Fagus) conducted in moist or dry soil, we compared the drought acclimation in several leaf water status and stem hydraulic parameters. Considering the extremes in the species responses, Fraxinus excelsior L. improved its leaf tissue hydration in the dry treatment through osmotic, elastic and apoplastic adjustment while Fagus sylvatica L. solely modified its xylem anatomy, which resulted in increased embolism resistance at the cost of hydraulic efficiency. Our results demonstrate the contrasting response strategies of coexisting tree species and how variable trait plasticity among species can be. The comparison of plants grown either in monoculture or in five-species mixture showed that the neighbouring species diversity can significantly influence a tree's hydraulic architecture and leaf water status regulation. Droughted Carpinus betulus L. (and to a lesser extent, Acer pseudoplatanus L.) plants developed a more efficient stem hydraulic system in heterospecific neighbourhoods, while that of F. sylvatica was generally more efficient in conspecific than heterospecific neighbourhoods. We conclude that co-occurring tree species may develop a high diversity of drought-response strategies, and exploring the full diversity of trait characteristics requires synchronous study of acclimation at the leaf and stem (and possibly also the root) levels, and consideration of physiological as well as morphological and anatomical modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Lübbe
- Department of Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Schuldt
- Department of Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Leuschner
- Department of Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
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8
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Kalaji HM, Schansker G, Brestic M, Bussotti F, Calatayud A, Ferroni L, Goltsev V, Guidi L, Jajoo A, Li P, Losciale P, Mishra VK, Misra AN, Nebauer SG, Pancaldi S, Penella C, Pollastrini M, Suresh K, Tambussi E, Yanniccari M, Zivcak M, Cetner MD, Samborska IA, Stirbet A, Olsovska K, Kunderlikova K, Shelonzek H, Rusinowski S, Bąba W. Frequently asked questions about chlorophyll fluorescence, the sequel. Photosynth Res 2017; 132:13-66. [PMID: 27815801 PMCID: PMC5357263 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-016-0318-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Using chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence many aspects of the photosynthetic apparatus can be studied, both in vitro and, noninvasively, in vivo. Complementary techniques can help to interpret changes in the Chl a fluorescence kinetics. Kalaji et al. (Photosynth Res 122:121-158, 2014a) addressed several questions about instruments, methods and applications based on Chl a fluorescence. Here, additional Chl a fluorescence-related topics are discussed again in a question and answer format. Examples are the effect of connectivity on photochemical quenching, the correction of F V /F M values for PSI fluorescence, the energy partitioning concept, the interpretation of the complementary area, probing the donor side of PSII, the assignment of bands of 77 K fluorescence emission spectra to fluorescence emitters, the relationship between prompt and delayed fluorescence, potential problems when sampling tree canopies, the use of fluorescence parameters in QTL studies, the use of Chl a fluorescence in biosensor applications and the application of neural network approaches for the analysis of fluorescence measurements. The answers draw on knowledge from different Chl a fluorescence analysis domains, yielding in several cases new insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem M. Kalaji
- Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Marian Brestic
- Department of Plant Physiology, Slovak Agricultural University, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Filippo Bussotti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine 28, 50144 Florence, Italy
| | - Angeles Calatayud
- Departamento de Horticultura, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, Ctra. Moncada-Náquera Km 4.5., 46113 Moncada, Valencia Spain
| | - Lorenzo Ferroni
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d’Este, 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Vasilij Goltsev
- Department of Biophysics and Radiobiology, Faculty of Biology, St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, 8 Dr.Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Lucia Guidi
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Via del Borghetto, 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anjana Jajoo
- School of Life Sciences, Devi Ahilya University, Indore, M.P. 452 001 India
| | - Pengmin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100 Shaanxi China
| | - Pasquale Losciale
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria [Research Unit for Agriculture in Dry Environments], 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Vinod K. Mishra
- Department of Biotechnology, Doon (P.G.) College of Agriculture Science, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India
| | - Amarendra N. Misra
- Centre for Life Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Ratu-Lohardaga Road, Ranchi, 835205 India
| | - Sergio G. Nebauer
- Departamento de Producción vegetal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera sn., 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Simonetta Pancaldi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d’Este, 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Consuelo Penella
- Departamento de Horticultura, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, Ctra. Moncada-Náquera Km 4.5., 46113 Moncada, Valencia Spain
| | - Martina Pollastrini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine 28, 50144 Florence, Italy
| | - Kancherla Suresh
- ICAR – Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi, West Godavari Dt., Andhra Pradesh 534 450 India
| | - Eduardo Tambussi
- Institute of Plant Physiology, INFIVE (Universidad Nacional de La Plata — Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Diagonal 113 N°495, CC 327, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Marcos Yanniccari
- Institute of Plant Physiology, INFIVE (Universidad Nacional de La Plata — Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Diagonal 113 N°495, CC 327, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Marek Zivcak
- Department of Plant Physiology, Slovak Agricultural University, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Magdalena D. Cetner
- Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Izabela A. Samborska
- Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Katarina Olsovska
- Department of Plant Physiology, Slovak University of Agriculture, A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Kristyna Kunderlikova
- Department of Plant Physiology, Slovak University of Agriculture, A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Henry Shelonzek
- Department of Plant Anatomy and Cytology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, ul. Jagiellońska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland
| | - Szymon Rusinowski
- Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas, Kossutha 6, 40-844 Katowice, Poland
| | - Wojciech Bąba
- Department of Plant Ecology, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Lubicz 46, 31-512 Kraków, Poland
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Pollastrini M, Nogales AG, Benavides R, Bonal D, Finer L, Fotelli M, Gessler A, Grossiord C, Radoglou K, Strasser RJ, Bussotti F. Tree diversity affects chlorophyll a fluorescence and other leaf traits of tree species in a boreal forest. Tree Physiol 2017; 37:199-208. [PMID: 28100710 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpw132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
An assemblage of tree species with different crown properties creates heterogeneous environments at the canopy level. Changes of functional leaf traits are expected, especially those related to light interception and photosynthesis. Chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) properties in dark-adapted leaves, specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen content (N) and carbon isotope composition (δ13C) were measured on Picea abies (L.) H.Karst., Pinus sylvestris L. and Betula pendula Roth. in monospecific and mixed boreal forests in Europe, in order to test whether they were affected by stand species richness and composition. Photosynthetic efficiency, assessed by induced emission of leaf ChlF, was positively influenced in B. pendula by species richness, whereas P. abies showed higher photosynthetic efficiency in monospecific stands. Pinus sylvestris had different responses when it coexisted with P. abies or B. pendula. The presence of B. pendula, but not of P. abies, in the forest had a positive effect on the efficiency of photosynthetic electron transport and N in P. sylvestris needles, and the photosynthetic responses were positively correlated with an increase of leaf δ13C. These effects on P. sylvestris may be related to high light availability at the canopy level due to the less dense canopy of B. pendula. The different light requirements of coexisting species was the most important factor affecting the distribution of foliage in the canopy, driving the physiological responses of the mixed species. Future research directions claim to enhance the informative potential of the methods to analyse the responses of pure and mixed forests to environmental factors, including a broader set of plant species' functional traits and physiological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Pollastrini
- Department of Agri-Food Production and Environmental Science, University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine 28, 50144 Florence, Italy
| | - Ana Garcia Nogales
- Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, University Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utrera, Km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Raquel Benavides
- Albert-Ludwings-Universitat Freiburg, Schanzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Damien Bonal
- UMR 1137 Ecologie et Ecophysiologie Forestières, INRA, 54280 Champenoux, France
| | - Leena Finer
- Finnish Forest Research Institute, PO Box 68, Yliopistokatu 6, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
| | - Mariangela Fotelli
- Forest Research Institute, Vassilika 57006, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, Pantazodou 193, N. Orestiada 68300, Greece
| | - Arthur Gessler
- Forest Dynamics, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zurcherstrasse 111, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Grossiord
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Division, MS-J495, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Kalliopi Radoglou
- Forest Research Institute, Vassilika 57006, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, Pantazodou 193, N. Orestiada 68300, Greece
| | - Reto J Strasser
- North West University South Africa, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Filippo Bussotti
- Department of Agri-Food Production and Environmental Science, University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine 28, 50144 Florence, Italy
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Reinert F, de Pinho CF, Ferreira MA. Diagnosing the level of stress on a mangrove species (Laguncularia racemosa) contaminated with oil: A necessary step for monitoring mangrove ecosystems. Mar Pollut Bull 2016; 113:94-99. [PMID: 27600275 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.08.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring the effects of pollution on mangrove vegetation is a challenge. A specific study using an oil spill simulation on mangrove species was conducted to address this challenge. We tested the effectiveness of the chlorophyll a fluorescence kinetics as a fast and robust method to diagnose the vitality of Laguncularia racemosa. We used L. racemosa plants contaminated with marine fuel oil in mangrove microcosm models. Several parameters of the JIP-test were capable of detecting the impairment of the photosynthetic function prior to the visual manifestation of symptoms in response to oil contamination. The results support the use of the chlorophyll fluorescence transient as a reliable, fast and easy to apply diagnostic method for evaluating oil-impacted mangroves. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that consistent data showing photosynthetic impairment in response to oil contamination is shown for a mangrove tree species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Reinert
- Laboratório de Fisiologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Camila Ferreira de Pinho
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Marcio Alves Ferreira
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Pollastrini M, Holland V, Brüggemann W, Bruelheide H, Dănilă I, Jaroszewicz B, Valladares F, Bussotti F. Taxonomic and ecological relevance of the chlorophyll a fluorescence signature of tree species in mixed European forests. New Phytol 2016; 212:51-65. [PMID: 27265248 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The variability of chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) parameters of forest tree species was investigated in 209 stands belonging to six European forests, from Mediterranean to boreal regions. The modifying role of environmental factors, forest structure and tree diversity (species richness and composition) on ChlF signature was analysed. At the European level, conifers showed higher potential performance than broadleaf species. Forests in central Europe performed better than those in Mediterranean and boreal regions. At the site level, homogeneous clusters of tree species were identified by means of a principal component analysis (PCA) of ChlF parameters. The discrimination of the clusters of species was influenced by their taxonomic position and ecological characteristics. The species richness influenced the tree ChlF properties in different ways depending on tree species and site. Tree species and site also affected the relationships between ChlF parameters and other plant functional traits (specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen content, light-saturated photosynthesis, wood density, leaf carbon isotope composition). The assessment of the photosynthetic properties of tree species, by means of ChlF parameters, in relation to their functional traits, is a relevant issue for studies in forest ecology. The connections of data from field surveys with remotely assessed parameters must be carefully explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Pollastrini
- Department of Agri-Food Production and Environmental Science, University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine 28, Florence, 50144, Italy
| | - Vera Holland
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, Frankfurt/M, D-60438, Germany
- Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt, Senckenberganlage 25, Frankfurt/M, D-60325, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Brüggemann
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, Frankfurt/M, D-60438, Germany
- Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt, Senckenberganlage 25, Frankfurt/M, D-60325, Germany
| | - Helge Bruelheide
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, Halle, D-06108, Germany
- German Centre of Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, Leipzig, D-04103, Germany
| | - Iulian Dănilă
- Laboratory of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Forestry, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Universității 13, Suceava, 720229, Romania
| | - Bogdan Jaroszewicz
- Białowieża Geobotanical Station, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, ul. Sportowa 19, Białowieża, 17-230, Poland
| | - Fernando Valladares
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, MNCN-CSIC, Serrano 115 dpdo, Madrid, E-28006, Spain
| | - Filippo Bussotti
- Department of Agri-Food Production and Environmental Science, University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine 28, Florence, 50144, Italy
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12
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Čepl J, Holá D, Stejskal J, Korecký J, Kočová M, Lhotáková Z, Tomášková I, Palovská M, Rothová O, Whetten RW, Kaňák J, Albrechtová J, Lstibůrek M. Genetic variability and heritability of chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Tree Physiol 2016; 36:883-895. [PMID: 27126227 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpw028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Current knowledge of the genetic mechanisms underlying the inheritance of photosynthetic activity in forest trees is generally limited, yet it is essential both for various practical forestry purposes and for better understanding of broader evolutionary mechanisms. In this study, we investigated genetic variation underlying selected chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) parameters in structured populations of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) grown on two sites under non-stress conditions. These parameters were derived from the OJIP part of the ChlF kinetics curve and characterize individual parts of primary photosynthetic processes associated, for example, with the exciton trapping by light-harvesting antennae, energy utilization in photosystem II (PSII) reaction centers (RCs) and its transfer further down the photosynthetic electron-transport chain. An additive relationship matrix was estimated based on pedigree reconstruction, utilizing a set of highly polymorphic single sequence repeat markers. Variance decomposition was conducted using the animal genetic evaluation mixed-linear model. The majority of ChlF parameters in the analyzed pine populations showed significant additive genetic variation. Statistically significant heritability estimates were obtained for most ChlF indices, with the exception of DI0/RC, φD0 and φP0 (Fv/Fm) parameters. Estimated heritabilities varied around the value of 0.15 with the maximal value of 0.23 in the ET0/RC parameter, which indicates electron-transport flux from QA to QB per PSII RC. No significant correlation was found between these indices and selected growth traits. Moreover, no genotype × environment interaction (G × E) was detected, i.e., no differences in genotypes' performance between sites. The absence of significant G × E in our study is interesting, given the relatively low heritability found for the majority of parameters analyzed. Therefore, we infer that polygenic variability of these indices is selectively neutral.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Čepl
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 1176, 165 21 Praha 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Dana Holá
- Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 5, 128 43 Praha 2 - Nové Město, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Stejskal
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 1176, 165 21 Praha 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Korecký
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 1176, 165 21 Praha 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Kočová
- Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 5, 128 43 Praha 2 - Nové Město, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Lhotáková
- Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 5, 128 43 Praha 2 - Nové Město, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Tomášková
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 1176, 165 21 Praha 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Markéta Palovská
- Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 5, 128 43 Praha 2 - Nové Město, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Rothová
- Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 5, 128 43 Praha 2 - Nové Město, Czech Republic
| | - Ross W Whetten
- Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8008, USA
| | - Jan Kaňák
- Arboretum Sofronka, Plaská 877, 323 00 Plzeň-Bolevec, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Albrechtová
- Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 5, 128 43 Praha 2 - Nové Město, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Lstibůrek
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 1176, 165 21 Praha 6 - Suchdol, Czech Republic
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13
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Nguyen D, Castagneyrol B, Bruelheide H, Bussotti F, Guyot V, Jactel H, Jaroszewicz B, Valladares F, Stenlid J, Boberg J. Fungal disease incidence along tree diversity gradients depends on latitude in European forests. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:2426-38. [PMID: 27066232 PMCID: PMC4788975 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
European forests host a diversity of tree species that are increasingly threatened by fungal pathogens, which may have cascading consequences for forest ecosystems and their functioning. Previous experimental studies suggest that foliar and root pathogen abundance and disease severity decrease with increasing tree species diversity, but evidences from natural forests are rare. Here, we tested whether foliar fungal disease incidence was negatively affected by tree species diversity in different forest types across Europe. We measured the foliar fungal disease incidence on 16 different tree species in 209 plots in six European countries, representing a forest‐type gradient from the Mediterranean to boreal forests. Forest plots of single species (monoculture plots) and those with different combinations of two to five tree species (mixed species plots) were compared. Specifically, we analyzed the influence of tree species richness, functional type (conifer vs. broadleaved) and phylogenetic diversity on overall fungal disease incidence. The effect of tree species richness on disease incidence varied with latitude and functional type. Disease incidence tended to increase with tree diversity, in particular in northern latitudes. Disease incidence decreased with tree species richness in conifers, but not in broadleaved trees. However, for specific damage symptoms, no tree species richness effects were observed. Although the patterns were weak, susceptibility of forests to disease appears to depend on the forest site and tree type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diem Nguyen
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 7026 75007 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Bastien Castagneyrol
- BIOGECO University of Bordeaux UMR 1202 33615 Pessac France; INRA BIOGECO UMR 1202 33612 Cestas France
| | - Helge Bruelheide
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg 06108 Halle Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig 04103 Leipzig Germany
| | - Filippo Bussotti
- Department of Agricultural Food and Environmental Sciences University of Firenze 50144 Firenze Italy
| | - Virginie Guyot
- INRA BIOGECO UMR 1202 33612 Cestas France; INRA DYNAFOR UMR 1201 31326 Castanet-Tolosan France
| | - Hervé Jactel
- BIOGECO University of Bordeaux UMR 1202 33615 Pessac France; INRA BIOGECO UMR 1202 33612 Cestas France
| | - Bogdan Jaroszewicz
- Białowieża Geobotanical Station Faculty of Biology University of Warsaw 17230 Warsaw Poland
| | - Fernando Valladares
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas 28006 Madrid Spain
| | - Jan Stenlid
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 7026 75007 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Johanna Boberg
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Box 7026 75007 Uppsala Sweden
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14
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Salvatori E, Fusaro L, Gottardini E, Pollastrini M, Goltsev V, Strasser RJ, Bussotti F. Plant stress analysis: application of prompt, delayed chlorophyll fluorescence and 820 nm modulated reflectance. Insights from independent experiments. Plant Physiol Biochem 2014; 85:105-13. [PMID: 25463266 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Nine short-term independent studies were carried out with two M-PEA units on several plant species differing in their functional traits (woody evergreen, woody deciduous, herbaceous) and exposed to different kind of abiotic stress (drought, salt, ozone, UV radiation). Aim of the study is to check the consistency of plant responses, assessed through three sets of simultaneously measured signals: Prompt Fluorescence (PF), Delayed Fluorescence (DF) and Modulated Reflectance of 820 nm light (MR). The decrease of F(V)/F(M) and F0, the increase of V(J) and V(I) were the most common responses related to PF parameters.The decrease of vox and vred as well the increase of MR min were common response of MR. DF showed species-treatment specific behaviours. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) suggests that the combination of PF and MR parameters represents a powerful tool for plant stress phenotyping, whereas MR parameters are linked to physiological strategies, related to different functional groups, to cope with stress factors.
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15
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Kalaji HM, Schansker G, Ladle RJ, Goltsev V, Bosa K, Allakhverdiev SI, Brestic M, Bussotti F, Calatayud A, Dąbrowski P, Elsheery NI, Ferroni L, Guidi L, Hogewoning SW, Jajoo A, Misra AN, Nebauer SG, Pancaldi S, Penella C, Poli D, Pollastrini M, Romanowska-Duda ZB, Rutkowska B, Serôdio J, Suresh K, Szulc W, Tambussi E, Yanniccari M, Zivcak M. Frequently asked questions about in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence: practical issues. Photosynth Res 2014; 122:121-58. [PMID: 25119687 PMCID: PMC4210649 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-014-0024-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 322] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this educational review is to provide practical information on the hardware, methodology, and the hands on application of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence technology. We present the paper in a question and answer format like frequently asked questions. Although nearly all information on the application of Chl a fluorescence can be found in the literature, it is not always easily accessible. This paper is primarily aimed at scientists who have some experience with the application of Chl a fluorescence but are still in the process of discovering what it all means and how it can be used. Topics discussed are (among other things) the kind of information that can be obtained using different fluorescence techniques, the interpretation of Chl a fluorescence signals, specific applications of these techniques, and practical advice on different subjects, such as on the length of dark adaptation before measurement of the Chl a fluorescence transient. The paper also provides the physiological background for some of the applied procedures. It also serves as a source of reference for experienced scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem M. Kalaji
- Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Gert Schansker
- Avenue des Amazones 2, 1226 Chêne-Bougeries, Switzerland
| | - Richard J. Ladle
- Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Praça Afrânio Jorge, s/n, Prado, Maceió, AL Brazil
| | - Vasilij Goltsev
- Department of Biophysics and Radiobiology, Faculty of Biology, St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, 8 Dr. Tzankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Karolina Bosa
- Department of Pomology, Faculty of Horticulture, Biotechnology and Landscape Architecture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev
- Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Botanicheskaya Street 35, Moscow, 127276 Russia
- Institute of Basic Biological Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290 Russia
| | - Marian Brestic
- Department of Plant Physiology, Slovak Agricultural University, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Filippo Bussotti
- Department of Agri-Food Production and Environmental Science (DISPAA), University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine 28, 50144 Florence, Italy
| | - Angeles Calatayud
- Departamento de Horticultura, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, Ctra. Moncada-Náquera Km 4.5, Moncada, 46113 Valencia, Spain
| | - Piotr Dąbrowski
- Department of Environmental Improvement, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Nabil I. Elsheery
- Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Lorenzo Ferroni
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d’Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lucia Guidi
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Via del Borghetto, 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Anjana Jajoo
- School of Life Sciences, Devi Ahilya University, Indore, 452 001 M.P India
| | - Amarendra N. Misra
- Centre for Life Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Ratu-Lohardaga Road, Ranchi, 835205 India
| | - Sergio G. Nebauer
- Departamento de Producción vegetal, Universitat Politècnica de València, C de Vera sn, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Simonetta Pancaldi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d’Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Consuelo Penella
- Departamento de Horticultura, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, Ctra. Moncada-Náquera Km 4.5, Moncada, 46113 Valencia, Spain
| | - DorothyBelle Poli
- Department of Biology, Roanoke College, 221 College Lane, Salem, VA 24153 USA
| | - Martina Pollastrini
- Department of Agri-Food Production and Environmental Science (DISPAA), University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine 28, 50144 Florence, Italy
| | | | - Beata Rutkowska
- Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - João Serôdio
- Departamento de Biologia, CESAM – Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Kancherla Suresh
- Directorate of Oil Palm Research, West Godavari Dt., Pedavegi, 534 450 Andhra Pradesh India
| | - Wiesław Szulc
- Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Eduardo Tambussi
- Institute of Plant Physiology, INFIVE (Universidad Nacional de La Plata – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Diagonal 113 N°495, 327 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Marcos Yanniccari
- Institute of Plant Physiology, INFIVE (Universidad Nacional de La Plata – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Diagonal 113 N°495, 327 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Marek Zivcak
- Department of Plant Physiology, Slovak Agricultural University, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
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16
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Abstract
The effects of herbivores and diversity on plant communities have been studied separately but rarely in combination. We conducted two concurrent experiments over 3 years to examine how tree seedling diversity, density and herbivory affected forest regeneration. One experiment factorially manipulated plant diversity (one versus 15 species) and the presence/absence of deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We found that mixtures outperformed monocultures only in the presence of deer. Selective browsing on competitive dominants and associational protection from less palatable species appear responsible for this herbivore-driven diversity effect. The other experiment manipulated monospecific plant density and found little evidence for negative density dependence. Combined, these experiments suggest that the higher performance in mixture was owing to the acquisition of positive interspecific interactions rather than the loss of negative intraspecific interactions. Overall, we emphasize that realistic predictions about the consequences of changing biodiversity will require a deeper understanding of the interaction between plant diversity and higher trophic levels. If we had manipulated only plant diversity, we would have missed an important positive interaction across trophic levels: diverse seedling communities better resist herbivores, and herbivores help to maintain seedling diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan C Cook-Patton
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, , 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, USA
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