Large branch and leaf hydraulic safety margins in subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 1405-1415
Author(s):  
Shi-Dan Zhu ◽  
Rong-Hua Li ◽  
Peng-Cheng He ◽  
Zafar Siddiq ◽  
Kun-Fang Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern China ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Atmospheric Temperature ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Sapwood Area ◽  
Evergreen Broadleaved Forest ◽  
Safety Margins ◽  
Hot Dry Season ◽  
Hydraulic Safety ◽  
Dry Seasons

Abstract As a global biodiversity hotspot, the subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest (SEBF) in southern China is strongly influenced by the humid monsoon climate, with distinct hot-wet and cool-dry seasons. However, the hydraulic strategies of this forest are not well understood. Branch and leaf hydraulic safety margins (HSMbranch and HSMleaf, respectively), as well as seasonal changes in predawn and midday leaf water potential (Ψpd and Ψmd), stomatal conductance (Gs), leaf to sapwood area ratio (AL/AS) and turgor loss point (Ψtlp), were examined for woody species in a mature SEBF. For comparison, we compiled these traits of tropical dry forests (TDFs) and Mediterranean-type woodlands (MWs) from the literature because they experience a hot-dry season. We found that on average, SEBF showed larger HSMbranch and HSMleaf than TDF and MW. During the dry season, TDF and MW species displayed a significant decrease in Ψpd and Ψmd. However, SEBF species showed a slight decrease in Ψpd but an increase in Ψmd. Similar to TDF and MW species, Gs was substantially lower in the dry season for SEBF species, but this might be primarily because of the low atmospheric temperature (low vapor pressure deficit). On the other hand, AL/AS and Ψtlp were not significant different between seasons for any SEBF species. Most SEBF species had leaves that were more resistant to cavitation than branches. Additionally, species with stronger leaf-to-branch vulnerability segmentation tended to have smaller HSMleaf but larger HSMbranch. Our results suggest that SEBF is at low hydraulic risk under the current climate.

The hydraulic architecture of Eucalyptus trees growing across a gradient of depth-to-groundwater

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (9) ◽  
pp. 888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sepideh Zolfaghar ◽  
Randol Villalobos-Vega ◽  
Melanie Zeppel ◽  
Derek Eamus
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Safety Margin ◽  
Hydraulic Architecture ◽  
Sapwood Area ◽  
Huber Value ◽  
Xylem Vulnerability ◽  
Safety Margins ◽  
Hydraulic Safety

Heterogeneity in water availability acts as an important driver of variation in plant structure and function. Changes in hydraulic architecture represent a key mechanism by which adaptation to changes in water availability can be expressed in plants. The aim of this study was to investigate whether differences in depth-to-groundwater influence the hydraulic architecture of Eucalyptus trees in remnant woodlands within mesic environments. Hydraulic architecture of trees was examined in winter and summer by measuring the following traits: Huber value (HV: the ratio between sapwood area and leaf area), branch hydraulic conductivity (leaf and sapwood area specific), sapwood density, xylem vulnerability (P50 and Pe) and hydraulic safety margins across four sites where depth-to-groundwater ranged from 2.4 to 37.5 m. Huber value increased significantly as depth-to-groundwater increased. Neither sapwood density nor branch hydraulic conductivity (sapwood and leaf area specific) varied significantly across sites. Xylem vulnerability to embolism (represented by P50 and Pe) in both seasons was significantly and negatively correlated with depth-to-groundwater. Hydraulic safety margins increased with increasing depth-to-groundwater and therefore trees growing at sites with deeper water tables were less sensitive to drought induced embolism. These results showed plasticity in some, but not all, hydraulic traits (as reflected in HV, P50, Pe and hydraulic safety margin) in response to increase in depth-to-groundwater in a mesic environment.

scholarly journals Yield of Vegetable Amaranth in Diverse Tanzanian Production Environments

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 516-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fekadu Fufa Dinssa ◽  
Peter Hanson ◽  
Dolores R. Ledesma ◽  
Ruth Minja ◽  
Omary Mbwambo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Season ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Hot Dry Season ◽  
Production Environments ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Target Environment ◽  
High Yielding Varieties ◽  
Vegetable Yield ◽  
Future Test

Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) is an important leafy vegetable in Africa where most farmers grow unimproved landraces. Information about amaranth genetic diversity and its adaptation to different environments will help breeders develop improved commercial varieties that meet market requirements. The objectives of this study were to investigate the performances of amaranth entries for vegetable yield across locations and seasons, assess the relative contributions of genetic vs. environmental sources of variation to yield, and cluster locations into mega-environments (MEs) to suggest future test sites. Twenty-six diverse entries were evaluated for vegetable yields in replicated trials at five locations in wet-cool and hot-dry seasons in Tanzania. Season explained the highest proportion (52.1%) of the total sum of squares followed by entries (24.9%) and locations (23.0%). Mean yield across the hot-dry season trials (27.7 t·ha−1) was 47.3% greater than the mean yield across wet-cool season trials (18.8 t·ha−1). Differences among entries in vegetable yield were higher in the hot-dry season than in the wet-cool season, indicating that gain from selection is likely to be greater in the hot-dry season. Most entries performed well in either wet-cool or hot-dry season but a few entries were adapted to both seasons. Two MEs were identified, one characterized by lower altitudes, higher temperatures, and less fertile soils, and a second ME associated with higher altitudes, lower temperatures, and more fertile soils. Each ME may serve as an initial selection site for their respective target environment. Targeting a specific season may give a better chance of finding high-yielding varieties.

scholarly journals Assessing Environmental Control of Sap Flux of Three Tree Species Plantations in Degraded Hilly Lands in South China

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Wang ◽  
Anna Lintunen ◽  
Ping Zhao ◽  
Weijun Shen ◽  
Yann Salmon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Environmental Control ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Thermal Dissipation ◽  
Canopy Conductance ◽  
Sap Flux ◽  
Sapwood Area ◽  
Water Use Strategy

Prerequisite for selection of appropriate tree species in afforestation programs is to understand their water use strategy. Acacia mangium Willd., Schima wallichii Choisy, and Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook are the three main vegetation restoration pioneer species in southern China, but no comparative research on the water use strategy of these three tree species have been reported. Our objective was to gain a detailed understanding of how photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and soil water content (SWC) at different soil depths control the sap flux density (Js) in the dry and wet seasons. We measured the Js of these three tree species by using the thermal dissipation method in low subtropical China. We found that both S. wallichii and C. lanceolata differed clearly in their stomatal behavior from one season to another, while A. mangium did not. The canopy conductance per sapwood area of S. wallichii and C. lanceolata was very sensitive to VPD in the dry season, but not in the wet season. The Js of A. mangium was negatively correlated to SWC in all soil layers and during both seasons, while the other two species were not sensitive to SWC in the deeper layers and only positively correlated to SWC in dry season. Our results demonstrate that the three species have distinct water use strategies and may therefore respond differently to changing climate.

scholarly journals Large hydraulic safety margins protect Neotropical canopy rainforest tree species against hydraulic failure during drought

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Ziegler ◽  
Sabrina Coste ◽  
Clément Stahl ◽  
Sylvain Delzon ◽  
Sébastien Levionnois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Turgor Loss Point ◽  
Canopy Tree ◽  
Hydraulic Failure ◽  
Xylem Vulnerability ◽  
Safety Margins ◽  
Hydraulic Safety ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Canopy Tree Species ◽  
Embolism Resistance

Abstract Key message Abundant Neotropical canopy-tree species are more resistant to drought-induced branch embolism than what is currently admitted. Large hydraulic safety margins protect them from hydraulic failure under actual drought conditions. Context Xylem vulnerability to embolism, which is associated to survival under extreme drought conditions, is being increasingly studied in the tropics, but data on the risk of hydraulic failure for lowland Neotropical rainforest canopy-tree species, thought to be highly vulnerable, are lacking. Aims The purpose of this study was to gain more knowledge on species drought-resistance characteristics in branches and leaves and the risk of hydraulic failure of abundant rainforest canopy-tree species during the dry season. Methods We first assessed the range of branch xylem vulnerability to embolism using the flow-centrifuge technique on 1-m-long sun-exposed branches and evaluated hydraulic safety margins with leaf turgor loss point and midday water potential during normal- and severe-intensity dry seasons for a large set of Amazonian rainforest canopy-tree species. Results Tree species exhibited a broad range of embolism resistance, with the pressure threshold inducing 50% loss of branch hydraulic conductivity varying from − 1.86 to − 7.63 MPa. Conversely, we found low variability in leaf turgor loss point and dry season midday leaf water potential, and mostly large, positive hydraulic safety margins. Conclusions Rainforest canopy-tree species growing under elevated mean annual precipitation can have high resistance to embolism and are more resistant than what was previously thought. Thanks to early leaf turgor loss and high embolism resistance, most species have a low risk of hydraulic failure and are well able to withstand normal and even severe dry seasons.

Coordination between leaf biomechanical resistance and hydraulic safety across 30 subtropical woody species

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Qiang Wang ◽  
Ming-Yuan Ni ◽  
Wen-Hao Zeng ◽  
Dong-Liu Huang ◽  
Wei Xiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Safety Margin ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Hydraulic Conductance ◽  
Evergreen Broadleaved Forest ◽  
Functional Correlation ◽  
Hydraulic Safety ◽  
Hydraulic Safety Margin

Abstract Background and Aims Leaf biomechanical resistance protects leaves from biotic and abiotic damage. Previous studies have revealed that enhancing leaf biomechanical resistance is costly for plant species and leads to an increase in leaf drought tolerance. We thus predicted that there is a functional correlation between leaf hydraulic safety and biomechanical characteristics. Methods We measured leaf morphological and anatomical traits, pressure–volume parameters, maximum leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf-max), leaf water potential at 50% loss of hydraulic conductance (P50leaf), leaf hydraulic safety margin (SMleaf), and leaf force to tear (Ft) and punch (Fp) of 30 co-occurring woody species in a subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine the relationships between biomechanical resistance and other leaf hydraulic traits. Key Results We found that higher Ft and Fp values were significantly associated with a lower (more negative) P50leaf and a larger SMleaf, thereby confirming the correlation between leaf biomechanical resistance and hydraulic safety. However, leaf biomechanical resistance showed no correlation with Kleaf-max, although it was significantly and negatively correlated with leaf outside-xylem hydraulic conductance. In addition, we also found that there was a significant correlation between biomechanical resistance and the modulus of elasticity by excluding an outlier. Conclusions The findings of this study reveal leaf biomechanical-hydraulic safety correlation in subtropical woody species.

scholarly journals A reconstruction of the recent fire regimes of Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi, using remote sensing

Fire Ecology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem A. Nieman ◽  
Brian W. van Wilgen ◽  
Alison J. Leslie
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Fire Management ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Local Evidence ◽  
Hot Dry Season ◽  
Wildlife Reserve

Abstract Background Fire is an important process that shapes the structure and functioning of African savanna ecosystems, and managers of savanna protected areas use fire to achieve ecosystem goals. Developing appropriate fire management policies should be based on an understanding of the determinants, features, and effects of prevailing fire regimes, but this information is rarely available. In this study, we report on the use of remote sensing to develop a spatially explicit dataset on past fire regimes in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi, between 2001 and 2019. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images were used to evaluate the recent fire regime for two distinct vegetation types in Majete Wildlife Reserve, namely savanna and miombo. Additionally, a comparison was made between MODIS and Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) images by separately evaluating selected aspects of the fire regime between 2012 and 2019. Results Mean fire return intervals were four and six years for miombo and savanna vegetation, respectively, but the distribution of fire return intervals was skewed, with a large proportion of the area burning annually or biennially, and a smaller proportion experiencing much longer fire return intervals. Variation in inter-annual rainfall also resulted in longer fire return intervals during cycles of below-average rainfall. Fires were concentrated in the hot-dry season despite a management intent to restrict burning to the cool-dry season. Mean fire intensities were generally low, but many individual fires had intensities of 14 to 18 times higher than the mean, especially in the hot-dry season. The VIIRS sensors detected many fires that were overlooked by the MODIS sensors, as images were collected at a finer scale. Conclusions Remote sensing has provided a useful basis for reconstructing the recent fire regime of Majete Wildlife Reserve, and has highlighted a current mismatch between intended fire management goals and actual trends. Managers should re-evaluate fire policies based on our findings, setting clearly defined targets for the different vegetation types and introducing flexibility to accommodate natural variation in rainfall cycles. Local evidence of the links between fires and ecological outcomes will require further research to improve fire planning.

Use of deciduous woody species as a diet supplement for goats grazing Mediterranean shrublands during the dry season

1999 ◽  
Vol 80 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 267-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.G Papachristou ◽  
P.D Platis ◽  
V.P Papanastasis ◽  
C.N Tsiouvaras
Keyword(s):  
Woody Species ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Mediterranean Shrublands ◽  
Diet Supplement

Effects of melatonin on cloacal temperature and erythrocyte osmotic fragility in layer hens during the hot-dry season

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Olusegun Sinkalu ◽  
Joseph Olusegun Ayo ◽  
Ariyo Adelaja Abimbola ◽  
Josiah Egbamushe Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Osmotic Fragility ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Erythrocyte Osmotic Fragility ◽  
Hot Dry Season ◽  
Layer Hens

Rising ecosystem water demand exacerbates the lengthening of tropical dry seasons

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Xu ◽  
Xu Lian ◽  
Ingrid Slette ◽  
Hui Yang ◽  
Yuan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Demand ◽  
Potential Evapotranspiration ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Land Area ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Factor Governing

Abstract The timing and length of the dry season is a key factor governing ecosystem productivity and the carbon cycle of the tropics. Mounting evidence has suggested a lengthening of the dry season with ongoing climate change. However, this conclusion is largely based on changes in precipitation (P) compared to its long-term average (P ̅) and lacks consideration of the simultaneous changes in ecosystem water demand (measured by potential evapotranspiration, Ep, or actual evapotranspiration, E). Using several long-term (1979-2018) observational datasets, we compared changes in tropical dry season length (DSL) and timing (dry season arrival, DSA, and dry season end, DSE) among three common metrics used to define the dry season: P < P ̅, P < Ep, and P < E. We found that all three definitions show that dry seasons have lengthened in much of the tropics since 1979. Among the three definitions, P < E estimates the largest fraction (49.0%) of tropical land area likely experiencing longer dry seasons, followed by P < Ep (41.4%) and P < P ̅ (34.4%). The largest differences in multi-year mean DSL (> 120 days) among the three definitions occurred in the most arid and the most humid regions of the tropics. All definitions and datasets consistently showed longer dry seasons in southern Amazon (due to delayed DSE) and central Africa (due to both earlier DSA and delayed DSE). However, definitions that account for changing water demand estimated longer DSL extension over those two regions. These results indicate that warming-enhanced evapotranspiration exacerbates dry season lengthening and ecosystem water deficit. Thus, it is necessity to account for the evolving water demand of tropical ecosystems when characterizing changes in seasonal dry periods and ecosystem water deficits in an increasingly warmer and drier climate.

scholarly journals The length of the dry season may be associated with leaf scleromorphism in cerrado plants

2015 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 1691-1699 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARCELO C. SOUZA ◽  
AUGUSTO C. FRANCO ◽  
MUNDAYATAN HARIDASAN ◽  
DAVI R. ROSSATTO ◽  
JANAÍNA F. DE ARAÚJO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Specific Leaf Area ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Core Region ◽  
The Other ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Fertility Rates ◽  
Cerrado Vegetation ◽  
Central Brazil

Despite limitations of low fertility and high acidity of the soils, the cerrado flora is the richest amongst savannas. Many cerrado woody species show sclerophyllous leaves, which might be related to the availability of water and nutrients in the soil. To better understand the function and structure of cerrado vegetation within its own variations, we compared two cerrado communities: one in its core region in central Brazil (Brasília, DF) and the other on its southern periphery (Itirapina, SP). We contrasted the length of the dry season, soil fertility rates, leaf concentrations of N, P, K, Ca and Mg and the specific leaf area (SLA) between these communities. The dry season was shorter on the periphery, where the soil was more fertile although more acidic. Plants from the periphery showed higher SLA and higher leaf concentrations of N, P, Ca and Mg. We propose that the higher SLA of plants from the periphery is related to the shorter dry season, which allows better conditions for nutrient uptake.

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