Die hard timberline conifers survive annual winter embolism

Die hard : timberline conifers survive annual winter embolism

© 2019 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2019 New Phytologist Trust.

Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:The New phytologist. - 1984. - 226(2020), 1 vom: 01. Apr., Seite 13-20
1. Verfasser: Mayr, Stefan (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Schmid, Peter, Beikircher, Barbara, Feng, Feng, Badel, Eric
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2020
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:The New phytologist
Schlagworte:Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Norway spruce cavitation fatigue embolism freeze-thaw frost drought micro-CT timberline conifer xylem refilling mehr... Water 059QF0KO0R
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:© 2019 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2019 New Phytologist Trust.
During winter, timberline trees are exposed to drought and frost, factors known to induce embolism. Studies indicated that conifers cope with winter embolism by xylem refilling. We analysed the loss of hydraulic conductivity (LC) in Picea abies branch xylem over 10 years, and correlated winter embolism to climate parameters. LC was investigated by direct X-ray micro-computer tomography (micro-CT) observations and potential cavitation fatigue by Cavitron measurements. Trees showed up to 100% winter embolism, whereby LC was highest, when climate variables indicated frost drought and likely freeze-thaw stress further increased LC. During summer, LC never exceeded 16%, due to hydraulic recovery. Micro-CT revealed homogenous embolism during winter and that recovery was based on xylem refilling. Summer samples exhibited lower LC in outermost compared to older tree rings, although no cavitation fatigue was detected. Long-term data and micro-CT observations demonstrate that timberline trees can survive annual cycles of pronounced winter-embolism followed by xylem refilling. Only a small portion of the xylem conductivity cannot be restored during the first year, while remaining conduits are refilled without fatigue during consecutive years. We identify important research topics to better understand the complex induction and repair of embolism at the timberline and its relevance to general plant hydraulics
Beschreibung:Date Completed 26.04.2021
Date Revised 11.12.2024
published: Print-Electronic
Citation Status MEDLINE
ISSN:1469-8137
DOI:10.1111/nph.16304