Short-term nitrogen dynamics are impacted by defoliation and drought in Fagus sylvatica L. branches

The predicted recurrence of adverse climatic events such as droughts, which disrupt nutrient accessibility for trees, could jeopardize the nitrogen (N) metabolism in forest trees. Internal tree N cycling capacities are crucial to ensuring tree survival but how the N metabolism of forest trees responds to intense, repeated environmental stress is not well known. For 2 years, we submitted 9-year-old beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees to either a moderate or a severe prolonged drought or a yearly removal of 75% of the foliage to induce internal N cycling changes. During the second year of stress, in spring and summer, we sprayed 15N-urea on the leaves (one branch per tree). Then, for 14 days, we traced the 15N dynamics through the leaves, into foliar proteins and into the branch compartments (leaves and stems segments), as well as its long-distance transfer from the labeled branches to the tree apical twigs. Defoliation caused a short- and mid-term N increase in the leaves, which remained the main sink for N. Whatever the treatment and the date, most of the leaf 15N stayed in the leaves and was invested in soluble proteins (60-68% of total leaf N). 15N stayed more in the proximal part of the branch in response to drought compared with other treatments. The long-distance transport of N was maintained even under harsh drought, highlighting efficient internal N recycling in beech trees. Under extreme constraints creating an N and water imbalance, compensation mechanisms operated at the branch level in beech trees and allowed them (i) to maintain leaf N metabolism and protein synthesis and (ii) to ensure the seasonal short- and long-distance transfer of recycled leaf N even under drastic water shortage conditions.

Species distribution models may misdirect assisted migration: insights from the introduction of Douglas-fir to Europe

Species distribution models (SDMs), which statistically relate species occurrence to climatic variables, are widely used to identify areas suitable for species growth under future climates and to plan for assisted migration. When SDMs are projected across times or spaces, it is assumed that species climatic requirements remain constant. However, empirical evidence supporting this assumption is rare, and SDM predictions could be biased. Historical human-aided movements of tree species can shed light on the reliability of SDM predictions in planning for assisted migration. We used Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), a North American conifer introduced into Europe during the mid-19th century, as a case-study to test niche conservatism. We combined transcontinental data sets of Douglas-fir occurrence and climatic predictors to compare the realized niches between native and introduced ranges. We calibrated a SDM in the native range and compared areas predicted to be climatically suitable with observed presences. The realized niches in the native and introduced ranges showed very limited overlap. The SDM calibrated in North America had very high predictive power in the native range, but failed to predict climatic suitability in Europe where Douglas-fir grows in climates that have no analogue in the native range. We review the ecological mechanisms and silvicultural practices that can trigger such shifts in realized niches. Retrospective analysis of tree species introduction revealed that the assumption of niche conservatism is erroneous. As a result, distributions predicted by SDM are importantly biased. There is a high risk that assisted migration programs may be misdirected and target inadequate species or introduction zones.

Analyse rétrospective de l'adaptation à la sécheresse chez le douglas

For a number of years in certain regions of France the Douglas-fir trees (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) have presented symptoms of withering which have been attributed to drought. Our results show that the hydraulic function of the wood plays a part in the resistance of the Douglas-fir to dry conditions. Narrower cellular conduits, and therefore a greater wood density, contribute to the survival of trees confronted with a period of a marked water deficit. This idea is confirmed by the existence of significant relationships between wood density and hydraulic properties of wood in which the raw sap circulates, and also by the relationships found between the ecological preferences of specimens in their area of origin and the density of their wood in regions of France where they have been introduced. Those coming from dry regions have a tendency to develop wood with characteristics similar to that of trees which have survived drought. While the relationship between wood density and survival has been demonstrated, the differences in the nature of this relationship between different sites show that the mechanisms involved are complex and to a large extent still not understood.

Epicormic ontogeny in Quercus petraea constrains the highly plausible control of epicormic sprouting by water and carbohydrates

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

There is increasing evidence that suppressed bud burst and thus epicormic shoot emergence (sprouting) are controlled by water-carbohydrate supplies to entire trees and buds. This direct evidence is still lacking for oak. In other respects, recent studies focused on sessile oak, Quercus petraea, have confirmed the important constraints of sprouting by epicormic ontogeny. The main objective of this paper was thus to provide provisional confirmation of the water-carbohydrate control and direct evidence of the ontogenic constraints by bringing together results already published in separate studies on water status and distribution of carbohydrates, and on accompanying vegetation and epicormics, which also quantify epicormic ontogeny.

METHODS

This paper analyses results gained from a sessile oak experiment in which part of the site was free from fairly tall, dense accompanying vegetation. This experiment was initially focused on stand water status and more recently on the carbohydrate distribution of dominant trees. External observations of the epicormic composition and internal observations with X-ray computer tomography were undertaken on 60 and six trees, respectively.

KEY RESULTS

Sprouting was more intense in the part of the stand free from accompanying vegetation and on upper trunk segments. A clear effect of epicormic ontogeny was demonstrated as well: the more epicormics a trunk segment bears, the more chances it had to bear sprouts.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indirectly infer water-carbohydrate control and show direct evidence of constraints by epicormic ontogeny. These results have far-reaching consequences related to the quantification of all functions fulfilled by any type of epicormic structure in any part of the tree.

Nitrogen sources for current-year shoot growth in 50-year-old sessile oak trees: an in situ (15)N labeling approach

We used long-term in situ (15)N labeling of the soil to investigate the contribution of the two main nitrogen (N) sources (N uptake versus N reserves) to sun shoot growth from bud burst to full leaf expansion in 50-year-old sessile oaks. Recovery of (15)N by growing compartments (leaves, twigs and buds) and presence of (15)N in phloem sap were checked weekly. During the first 2 weeks following bud burst, remobilized N contributed ~90% of total N in growing leaves and twigs. Nitrogen uptake from the soil started concomitantly with N remobilization but contributed only slightly to bud burst. However, the fraction of total N due to N uptake increased markedly once bud burst had occurred, reaching 27% in fully expanded leaves and 18% in developed twigs. In phloem sap, the (15)N label appeared a few days after the beginning of labeling and increased until the end of bud burst, and then decreased at full leaf expansion in June. Of all the shoot compartments, leaves attracted most of the absorbed N, which accounted for 68% of new N in shoots, whereas twigs and new buds accounted for only 28 and 3%, respectively. New N allocated to leaves increased from unfolding to full expansion as total N concentration in the leaves decreased. Our results underline the crucial role played by stored N in rapid leaf growth and in the sustained growth of oak trees. Any factors that reduce N storage in autumn may therefore impair spring shoot growth.

Seasonal changes of C and N non-structural compounds in the stem sapwood of adult sessile oak and beech trees

We assessed the pools of non-structural nitrogen compounds (NSNC) through a year, thereby addressing the question of whether mature sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), which differ in wood anatomy and growth patterns, exhibit contrasting seasonal dynamics of NSNC pools as previously shown for non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) pools. Seasonal fluctuations of NSNC (amino acids and soluble proteins) and NSC (starch and soluble sugars) pools were analyzed in the inner and the outer stem sapwood. In oak, NSC showed marked seasonal variation within the stem sapwood (accumulation during winter and decrease during bud burst and early wood growth), whereas in beech seasonal fluctuations in NSC were of minor amplitude. Even if the distribution and intensity of the NSNC pools differed between the two species, NSNC of the stem sapwood did not show seasonal variation. The most significant change in NSNC pools was the seasonal fluctuation of protein composition. In both species, two polypeptides of 13 kDa (PP13) and 26 kDa (PP26) accumulated during the coldest period in parallel with starch to sugar conversion and disappeared with the onset of spring growth. The absence of seasonal changes in total soluble protein concentration suggests that the polypeptides are involved in the internal nitrogen (N) cycling of the stem rather than in N storage and remobilization to the other growing organs of the tree.

Age-related variation in carbon allocation at tree and stand scales in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) using a chronosequence approach

Two types of physiological mechanisms can contribute to growth decline with age: (i) the mechanisms leading to the reduction of carbon assimilation (input) and (ii) those leading to modification of the resource economy. Surprisingly, the processes relating to carbon allocation have been little investigated as compared to research on the processes governing carbon assimilation. The objective of this paper was thus to test the hypothesis that growth decrease related to age is accompanied by changes in carbon allocation to the benefit of storage and reproductive functions in two contrasting broad-leaved species: beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.). Age-related changes in carbon allocation were studied using a chronosequence approach. Chronosequences, each consisting of several even-aged stands ranging from 14 to 175 years old for beech and from 30 to 134 years old for sessile oak, were divided into five or six age classes. In this study, carbon allocations to growth, storage and reproduction were defined as the relative amount of carbon invested in biomass increment, carbohydrate increment and seed production, respectively. Tree-ring width and allometric relationships were used to assess biomass increment at the tree and stand scales. Below-ground biomass was assessed using a specific allometric relationship between root:shoot ratio and age, established from the literature review. Seasonal variations of carbohydrate concentrations were used to assess carbon allocation to storage. Reproduction effort was quantified for beech stands by collecting seed and cupule production. Age-related flagging of biomass productivity was assessed at the tree and stand scales, and carbohydrate quantities in trees increased with age for both species. Seed and cupule production increased with stand age in beech from 56 gC m(-)(2) year(-1) at 30 years old to 129 gC m(-2) year(-1) at 138 years old. In beech, carbon allocation to storage and reproductive functions increased with age to the detriment of carbon allocation to growth functions. In contrast, the carbon balance between growth and storage remained constant between age classes in sessile oak. The contrasting age-related changes in carbon allocation between beech and sessile oak are discussed with reference to the differences in growing environment, phenology and hydraulic properties of ring-porous and diffuse-porous species.

Roles of soil chemistry and water availability in site-related delta(13)C variations in French beech forests

The carbon isotopic composition (delta(13)C) of wood and leaf cellulose of beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) was studied at 80 sites in northeastern France. We sampled sites with contrasting water balance, depending on soil type and precipitation. We tested the hypothesis that inter-site variations in plant delta(13)C reflect the spatial distribution of soil water availability, and we assessed whether delta(13)C could be used as a bioindicator of soil water availability. Patterns of variation in delta(13)C were compared with estimates of monthly water balance and with other soil characteristics. Between-site variability in delta(13)C was high (2.9 per thousand range in wood cellulose, 2.1 per thousand in leaf cellulose), but variation in water availability appeared to be only a minor factor contributing to this variation in delta(13)C. Unexpectedly, spatial variations in wood and leaf cellulose delta(13)C were significantly and positively related to soil fertility expressed by soil pH (r = 0.42 and 0.43, respectively) and cation content. On average, trees growing on acidic soils displayed 0.5 per thousand lower delta(13)C in both wood and leaf material than trees growing on neutral or calcareous soils. Our initial hypothesis of a strong negative relationship between delta(13)C and site water availability was not confirmed. In the study zone, neither wood nor leaf delta(13)C appeared to be a reliable bioindicator of spatial variations in water availability. Possible causes for the lack of a relationship are discussed. Our findings confirm, under natural conditions, the strong effect of soil fertility on water-use efficiency previously observed in experiments. This effect needs to be considered in isotopic studies involving different sites.

Modeling climate change effects on the potential production of French plains forests at the sub-regional level

We modeled the effects of climate change and two forest management scenarios on wood production and forest carbon balance in French forests using process-based models of forest growth. We combined data from the national forest inventory and soil network survey, which were aggregated over a 50 x 50-km grid, i.e., the spatial resolution of the climate scenario data. We predicted and analyzed the climate impact on potential forest production over the period 1960-2100. All models predicted a slight increase in potential forest yield until 2030-2050, followed by a plateau or a decline around 2070-2100, with overall, a greater increase in yield in northern France than in the south. Gross and net primary productivities were more negatively affected by soil water and atmospheric water vapor saturation deficits in western France because of a more pronounced shift in seasonal rainfall from summer to winter. The rotation-averaged values of carbon flux and production for different forest management options were estimated during four years (1980, 2015, 2045 and 2080). Predictions were made using a two-dimensional matrix covering the range of local soil and climate conditions. The changes in ecosystem fluxes and forest production were explained by the counterbalancing effect of rising CO2 concentration and increasing water deficit. The effect of climate change decreased with rotation length from short rotations with high production rates and low standing biomasses to long rotations with low productivities and greater standing biomasses. Climate effects on productivity, both negative and positive, were greatest on high fertility sites. Forest productivity in northern France was enhanced by climate change, increasingly from west to east, whereas in the southwestern Atlantic region, productivity was reduced by climate change to an increasing degree from west to east.

Distribution of above-ground and below-ground carbohydrate reserves in adult trees of two contrasting broad-leaved species (Quercus petraea and Fagus sylvatica)

•   The exhaustive distribution of total carbohydrate reserves was investigated in oak and beech trees that were approx. 40 yr old and felled at two dates (October 1999 and June 2000) to estimate variations in reserve amounts at the tree level. •   The total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) content was highest in the twigs and coarse roots, reaching 10 g 100 g^-1 dry matter and 12 g 100 g^-1 dry matter for beech and oak twigs, and 13 g 100 g^-1 dry matter and 16 g 100 g^-1 dry matter for beech and oak roots, respectively. Similar distribution in tree carbohydrates was observed for both species and date, but with contrasting starch/sugar sharing. •   Scaling-up to reserve amounts at tree level was performed with extensive organ biomass measurements. Based on the respective biomass of the organs, stem and roots contained the highest quantity of reserves. Between October (before leaf fall) and June (after bud-burst and leaf area index expansion) oaks used double the reserves of beeches. •   These differences in the allocation of carbohydrate reserves could arise from differential needs for spring growth and winter maintenance respiration between the two species.

Contrasting distribution and seasonal dynamics of carbohydrate reserves in stem wood of adult ring-porous sessile oak and diffuse-porous beech trees

We tested the hypothesis that broad-leaved forest species with contrasting wood anatomy and hydraulic system (ring-porous versus diffuse-porous) also differ in distribution and seasonal dynamics of carbohydrate reserves in stem wood. Total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) reserves (starch and sugars) were measured enzymatically in the 10 youngest stem xylem rings of adult oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees during an annual cycle. Radial distribution of carbohydrates was investigated according to ring age. On all dates, oak trees had twofold higher TNC concentration than beech trees (41 versus 23 mg g(DM)(-1)), with starch accounting for the high TNC concentration in oak. Seasonal dynamics of TNC concentration were significantly (P < 0.05) more pronounced in oak (20-64 mg TNC g(DM)(-1)) than in beech (17-34 mg TNC g(DM)(-1)). A marked decrease in TNC concentration was observed in oak trees during bud burst and early wood growth, whereas seasonal fluctuations in TNC concentrations in beech trees were small. The radial distribution of TNC based on ring age differed between species: TNC was restricted to the sapwood rings in oak, whereas in beech, it was distributed throughout the wood from the outermost sapwood ring to the pith. Although the high TNC concentrations in the outermost rings accounted for most of the observed seasonal pattern, all of the 10 youngest xylem rings analyzed participated in the seasonal dynamics of TNC in beech trees. The innermost sapwood rings of oak trees had low TNC concentrations. Stem growth and accumulation of carbon reserves occurred concomitantly during the first part of the season, when there was no soil water deficit. When soil water content was depleted, stem growth ceased in both species, whereas TNC accumulation was negligibly affected and continued until leaf fall. The contrasting dynamics and distribution of carbohydrate reserves in oak and beech are discussed with reference to differences in phenology, early spring growth and hydraulic properties between ring-porous trees and diffuse-porous trees.

Comparison of water-use efficiency of seedlings from two sympatric oak species: genotype x environment interactions

Seedlings of two sympatric oak species, Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., were grown in common garden conditions to test for potential interspecific differences in intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUE). Intrinsic water-use efficiency was estimated based on carbon isotope composition of shoots (delta13C) and on gas exchange measurements (ratio of net CO2 assimilation rate to stomatal conductance (A/g(sw))). In addition, genotype x environment interactions were tested by subjecting the seedlings to four irradiance treatments (8, 18, 48 and 100% of incident solar irradiance) imposed by neutral shading nets, and, in the 100% irradiance treatment, two watering regimes. In all treatments, initial growth of Q. robur was faster than that of Q. petraea. In both species, there was a tight correlation between delta13C and A/g(sw). Intrinsic water-use efficiency increased with increasing irradiance (almost doubling from 8 to 100% irradiance), and this effect paralleled the increase in A with increasing irradiance. In full sun, WUE of Q. petraea seedlings was 10-15% higher than in Q. robur seedlings, with the difference attributable to a difference between the species in g(sw). The interspecific difference in WUE was maintained during drought, despite the appreciable increase in WUE and decrease in growth imposed by drought. No interspecific differences in WUE were observed at low irradiances, suggesting a strong genotype x environment interaction for WUE. These findings confirm the existence of interspecific genetic differences in WUE, but also show that there is large intraspecific variability and plasticity in WUE. The initially greater height and biomass increments in Q. robur seedlings illustrate the ability of this species to out-compete Q. petraea in the early stages of forest regeneration. For adult trees growing in closed canopies, the high WUE of Q. petraea may contribute significantly to its survival during dry years, whereas the low WUE of Q. robur may account for the frequently observed declines in adult trees of this species following drought.

Effects of thinning on soil and tree water relations, transpiration and growth in an oak forest (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.)

To quantify the effects of crown thinning on the water balance and growth of the stand and to analyze the ecophysiological modifications induced by canopy opening on individual tree water relations, we conducted a thinning experiment in a 43-year-old Quercus petraea stand by removing trees from the upper canopy level. Soil water content, rainfall interception, sap flow, leaf water potential and stomatal conductance were monitored for two seasons following thinning. Seasonal time courses of leaf area index (LAI) and girth increment were also measured. Predawn leaf water potential was significantly higher in trees in the thinned stand than in the closed stand, as a consequence of higher relative extractable water in the soil. The improvement in water availability in the thinned stand resulted from decreases in both interception and transpiration. From Year 1 to Year 2, an increase in transpiration was observed in the thinned stand without any modification in LAI, whereas changes in transpiration in the closed stand were accompanied by variations in LAI. The different behaviors of the closed and open canopies were interpreted in terms of coupling to the atmosphere. Thinning increased inter-tree variability in sap flow density, which was closely related to a leaf area competition index. Stomatal conductance varied little inside the crown and differences in stomatal conductance between the treatments appeared only during a water shortage and affected mainly the closed stand. Thinning enhanced tree growth as a result of a longer growing period due to the absence of summer drought and higher rates of growth. Suppressed and dominant trees benefited more from thinning than trees in the codominant classes.

Axial and radial water flow in the trunks of oak trees: a quantitative and qualitative analysis

Axial water flow in the trunks of mature oak trees (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. and Q. robur L.) was studied by four independent techniques: water absorption from a cut trunk, sap flowmeters, heat pulse velocity (HPV) and thermoimaging. Estimation of the total water flow with sap flowmeters, HPV and water absorption yielded comparable results. We concluded from dye colorations, thermograms and axial profiles of sap flow and heat pulse velocity that, in intact trunks, most of the flow occurred in the current-year ring, where early-wood vessels in the outermost ring were still functional. Nevertheless, there was significant flow in the older rings of the xylem. Total water flow through the trunk was only slightly reduced when air embolisms were artificially induced in early-wood vessels, probably because there was little change in hydraulic conductance in the root-leaf sap pathway. Embolization of the current-year vessels reactivated transport in the older rings.