Derived woodiness and annual habit evolved in African umbellifers as alternative solutions for coping with drought

Abstract Background One of the major trends in angiosperm evolution was the shift from woody to herbaceous habit. However, reversals known as derived woodiness have also been reported in numerous, distantly related clades. Among theories evoked to explain the factors promoting the evolution of derived woodiness are moderate climate theory and cavitation theory. The first assumes that woody habit evolves in response to mild climate allowing for prolonged life span, which in turn leads to bigger and woodier bodies. The second sees woodiness as a result of natural selection for higher cavitation resistance in seasonally dry environments. Here, we compare climatic niches of woody and herbaceous, mostly southern African, umbellifers from the Lefebvrea clade to assess whether woody taxa in fact occur in markedly drier habitats. We also calibrate their phylogeny to estimate when derived woodiness evolved. Finally, we describe the wood anatomy of selected woody and herbaceous taxa to see if life forms are linked to any particular wood traits. Results The evolution of derived woodiness in chamaephytes and phanerophytes as well as the shifts to short-lived annual therophytes in the Lefebvrea clade took place at roughly the same time: in the Late Miocene during a trend of global climate aridification. Climatic niches of woody and herbaceous genera from the Cape Floristic Region overlap. There are only two genera with distinctly different climatic preferences: they are herbaceous and occur outside of the Cape Floristic Region. Therefore, studied herbs have an overall climatic niche wider than their woody cousins. Woody and herbaceous species do not differ in qualitative wood anatomy, which is more affected by stem architecture and, probably, reproductive strategy than by habit. Conclusions Palaeodrought was likely a stimulus for the evolution of derived woodiness in the Lefebvrea clade, supporting the cavitation theory. The concurrent evolution of short-lived annuals withering before summer exemplifies an alternative solution to the same problem of drought-induced cavitation. Changes of the life form were most likely neither spurred nor precluded by any qualitative wood traits, which in turn are more affected by internode length and probably also reproductive strategy.

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Rootstock effect on tree-ring traits in grapevine under a climate change scenario

IAWA Journal ◽

10.1163/22941932-20170199 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 145-155 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Veronica De Micco ◽

Enrica Zalloni ◽

Giovanna Battipaglia ◽

Arturo Erbaggio ◽

Pasquale Scognamiglio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tree Ring ◽

Wood Anatomy ◽

Climate Change Scenario ◽

Southern Italy ◽

Change Scenario ◽

Volcanic Area ◽

Plant Cultivation ◽

Wood Traits ◽

Projected Changes ◽

Drought Occurrence

ABSTRACTProjected changes in drought occurrence in the Mediterranean region are raising concerns about the adaptive capability of rainfed crops, such as grapevine, to increasing aridity. Cultivation management, especially the techniques influencing the hydraulic pathway, can play a role in plant adaptation to drought for the consequent changes in wood anatomical functional traits. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of grafting on wood anatomy in tree-ring series ofVitis vini-feraL. ‘Piedirosso’ grapevine cultivated in a volcanic area in Southern Italy. Tree-ring anatomy was analysed in vines grown on their own roots or grafted onto 420A rootstock. Results showed that grafted vines had a higher occurrence of wood traits linked with safety of water transport if compared with non-grafted vines. Grafting induced the formation of tree rings with higher incidence of latewood also characterised by narrower and more frequent vessels if compared with non-grafted vines. This study suggested a different regulation of water flow in the grafted and non-grafted vines. Such findings support the analysis of wood anatomy as a tool to drive decisions linked with plant cultivation management. In this specific case, our results encourage to further explore the change from a traditional cultivation with own-rooted grapevines towards grafted models inducing better xylem adaptation to increasing drought.

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WOOD ANATOMY AND TRAIT-BASED ECOLOGY

IAWA Journal ◽

10.1163/22941932-20160127 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 127-151 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Hans Beeckman

Keyword(s):

System Integration ◽

Wood Anatomy ◽

Forest Biomass ◽

Global Changes ◽

Sampling Strategies ◽

Time Dimension ◽

Individual Tree ◽

Global Estimate ◽

Wood Traits ◽

Tree Performance

The largest part of forest biomass consists of wood. A global estimate of carbon stored in lignified tissues rises up to 400 Pg. Given these quantities, there is a growing interest of implementing wood research in diagnoses and evaluations of the carrying capacity of the global ecosystem and its forests. The question arises how disciplines like wood anatomy could respond to the increasing demands of a trait-based ecology, understood as a paradigmatic shift in addressing global changes. Dendrochronology and ecological wood anatomy, traditionally operating within the paradigm of species-based ecology, developed robust methods to address ecological questions. However, sampling strategies and database design will likely be different when wood traits are to be used to study individual tree performance, including responses to stress.Aiming at optimally involving wood research in trait-based ecology, some trait concepts are analysed. The value of the IAWA standard lists of wood anatomical features as starting points for trait databases is recognized. A summary of the functionality of wood is given to inform the trait-research community of basic aspects of tree performance. The time dimension is highlighted, as well as the foundations for understanding bio-hydraulics, bio-mechanics and metabolism of wood and relevant traits.Guidelines are given for sampling strategies and database concepts. Prospects of time axis construction and system integration are discussed, as well as the importance of standardizing for size.

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Soil Effects on Stem Growth and Wood Anatomy of Tamboril Are Mediated by Tree Age

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12081058 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 1058

Author(s):

Talita dos Santos Angélico ◽

Carmen Regina Marcati ◽

Sergio Rossi ◽

Magali Ribeiro da Silva ◽

Júlia Sonsin-Oliveira

Keyword(s):

Soil Type ◽

Wood Anatomy ◽

Tree Age ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Plant Soil ◽

Wood Traits ◽

Soil Effects ◽

Old Trees ◽

The Relationship ◽

Effect Of Age

Soil influences the growth of trees and the characteristics of the wood; but could this influence change during the ontogeny of trees? To answer this question, we analyzed the wood anatomy of 9-year-old trees and 2-year-old saplings of Enterolobium contortisiliquum, known as “tamboril”, growing in eutrophic and oligotrophic soil in the Brazilian Cerrado, and assessed the effect of age on plant–soil relationship. Sapwood samples were collected from the main stem, anatomical sections were prepared in the lab, and 12 anatomical wood traits were measured. Individuals in eutrophic soil had greater stem diameter and height than those in oligotrophic soil. Trees in eutrophic soil had vessel-associated parenchyma cells with abundant storage compounds. Fibers walls were 47% thicker and intervessel pits diameter were 14% larger in trees of eutrophic soil. A greater proportion of solitary vessels (74%) was observed in trees rather than in saplings (50%). The secondary xylem of trees was mainly formed by fibers (63%) whereas in saplings it was mainly formed by storage tissue (64%). Our study provides evidence that the influence of soil conditions on tree growth reflects variations in wood anatomical features. No significant response to soil type was observed in saplings, thus demonstrating that the relationship between soil type and wood growth is mediated by tree age. These findings help to develop reliable reforestation strategies in tropical ecosystems characterized by different levels of soil fertility.

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Welcome to the Arbustocene

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc050077 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 77 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Harry F. Recher ◽

Paul R. Ehrlich

Keyword(s):

Global Climate Change ◽

Mass Extinction ◽

Global Climate ◽

Chemical Change ◽

Life Forms ◽

The Sun ◽

Evolution Of Life ◽

Insufficient Time ◽

Biophysical Environment ◽

Evolution Of Photosynthesis

The beginning and end of each geological epoch is marked by a major, often cataclysmic, event affecting Earth?s biophysical environment. Most often major periods in Earth?s history requiring a new epoch to be named are remarkable by the mass extinction of dominant life forms and their eventual replacement by new groups of organisms which then dominate Earth?s ecosystems. Only once in pre-history were these spectacular evolutionary events precipitated by a physical or chemical change to Earth?s atmosphere as a result of biological activity. This occurred early in Earth?s history with the release of ?polluting? oxygen after the evolution of photosynthesis. More frequently, punctuations in the evolution of life have been brought on by some virtually instantaneous disruption to climate by extreme volcanic activity or an asteroid strike, such as that which heralded the end of dinosaurs and the dawn of the age of mammals. In these instances, changes to the capacity of Earth?s atmosphere to absorb and reflect light and heat from the Sun initiated a period of rapid global climate change leaving insufficient time for organisms to migrate or adapt.

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Geography of Iridaceae in Africa

Bothalia ◽

10.4102/abc.v14i3/4.1208 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 14 (3/4) ◽

pp. 559-564 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

P. Goldblatt

Keyword(s):

Cape Floristic Region ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Tropical Africa ◽

Winter Rainfall ◽

Seasonally Dry ◽

Worldwide Distribution ◽

The Family ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Dry Climates ◽

Eastern Half

Iridaceae, a family of worldwide distribution, comprises some 1 500 species and 85 genera. It exhibits its greatest radiation in Sub-Saharan Africa, where over half the species and some 48 genera occur. 45 of which are endemic. All three major subfamilial taxa are represented in Africa, where Ixioideae are almost entirely restricted, with extensions into Eurasia. Areas of greatest concentration are either montane or in areas of winter rainfall. In southern Africa alone, there are some 850 species in 46 genera, making the family the fifth largest in the flora. In the Cape Floristic Region there are 620 species, and the family is the fourth largest in this area. All major infrafamilial groups occur in the Cape Region where most of the variability as well as generic radiation is encountered. The idea of a southern origin for Iridaceae in Africa is analysed systematically, and is correlated with the major climatic changes that occurred in Africa since the mid-Tertiary, and culminated in the seasonally dry climates along the west coast. The establishment of mediterranean climate in the southwest provided the stimulus for massive speciation and radiation of the family there. Plio-Pleistocene uplift along the eastern half of the African continent led to the establishment of substantial upland areas and allowed the spread of some genera, such as Romulea, Gladiolus, Moraea, and Hesperantha into tropical Africa. Short-distance dispersal probably accounts for the presence of genera such as Gladiolus, Gynandriris and Romulea in Eurasia.

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Surviving in semi-arid environments: functional coordination and trade-offs in shrubs from Argentina

IAWA Journal ◽

10.1163/22941932-bja10026 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

Natalia Delbón ◽

Lucía V. Castello ◽

Alejandro Rios-Villamil ◽

María T. Cosa ◽

Laura Stiefkens

Keyword(s):

Small Diameter ◽

Leaf Traits ◽

Human Action ◽

Survival Strategies ◽

Arid Environments ◽

Leaf Trait ◽

Seasonally Dry ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Dry Conditions ◽

Wood Traits

Abstract Human action has led to an increase in aridification, making water a progressively scarcer resource. In angiosperms, different species resolve this challenge in diverse ways, mainly through modifications of the xylem network, which is responsible for water efficiency and safety. Xerophytes generally show similar characteristics, but exceptions are rather frequent. One possible explanation for this lack of similarity among cohabiting species is that trade-offs and/or functional coordination between their organs occur and shape alternative survival strategies. Studying species that inhabit a common area can help to identify key traits that determine those diverse strategies and to predict which species might tolerate further environmental change. We here examined the morpho-anatomical wood and bark traits of a group of species that live in a seasonally dry environment in Argentina. In a previous study, we described the leaf traits of these species and we thus aim to complement our findings and outline their strategies to manage water deficits. Our results show that there are different degrees of xeromorphism within this group. Clear xeromorphic traits, such as high vessel frequency and small diameter, were found in most species. However, some presented traits that were appropriate for mesic environments. An overview of leaf and wood traits indicates that the absence of a typical xeric characteristic in the wood might be compensated by the presence of a xeric leaf trait, and vice versa. Collectively, these trait combinations allow these species to survive in dry conditions and could influence their tolerance to increasing aridity.

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Environmental drivers of large, infrequent wildfires: the emerging conceptual model

Progress in Physical Geography Earth and Environment ◽

10.1177/0309133307079365 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 287-312 ◽

Cited By ~ 149

Author(s):

Andrea Meyn ◽

Peter S. White ◽

Constanze Buhk ◽

Anke Jentsch

Keyword(s):

Conceptual Model ◽

Climate Models ◽

Global Climate ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Global Climate Models ◽

Environmental Drivers ◽

Fuel Moisture ◽

Seasonally Dry ◽

Additional Information ◽

Human Management

Large, infrequent fires (LIFs) can have substantial impacts on both ecosystems and the economy. To better understand LIFs and to better predict the effects of human management and climate change on their occurrence, we must first determine the factors that produce them. Here, we review local and regional literature investigating the drivers of LIFs. The emerging conceptual model proposes that ecosystems can be typified based on climatic conditions that determine both fuel moisture and fuel amount. The concept distinguishes three ecosystem types: (1) biomass-rich, rarely dry ecosystems where fuel moisture rather than fuel amount limits LIFs; (2) biomass-poor, at least seasonally dry ecosystems where fuel amount rather than fuel moisture limits LIFs; and (3) biomass-poor, rarely dry ecosystems where both fuel amount and fuel moisture limit the occurrence of LIFs. Our main goal in this paper is to discuss the drivers of LIFs and the three mentioned ecosystem types in a global context. Further, we will discuss the drivers that are not included within the `fuels' versus `climate' discussion. Finally, we will address the question: what kinds of additional information are needed if models predicting LIFs are to be coupled with global climate models? As with all generalizations, there are local deviations and modifications due to processes such as disturbance interaction or human impact. These processes tend to obscure the general patterns of the occurrence of LIFs and are likely to cause much of the observed controversy and confusion in the literature.

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Axial sampling height outperforms site as predictor of wood trait variation

IAWA Journal ◽

10.1163/22941932-40190245 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 191-S3 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Larissa C. Dória ◽

Diego S. Podadera ◽

Rivete S. Lima ◽

Frederic Lens ◽

Carmen R. Marcati

Keyword(s):

Vessel Diameter ◽

Curvilinear Relationship ◽

Main Trunk ◽

Seasonally Dry ◽

Fiber Wall ◽

Wood Trait ◽

Sampling Height ◽

Wood Traits ◽

Wood Variation ◽

Species Specific

ABSTRACTCovariation amongst wood traits along the stem axis is important to maintain hydraulic integrity ensuring sufficient sap flow to the canopy. Here, we test how wood traits (co)vary along the trunk and whether two seasonally dry Brazilian habitats (cerrado and caatinga) influence this variation in two co-occurring species, Tocoyena formosa (Rubiaceae) and Tabebuia aurea (Bignoniaceae). The samples were collected at five heights along the main trunk of three individuals per species in both sites. We used light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy to observe the wood traits. Out of 13 wood traits, nine show relationships with sampling height: eight traits predict height in T. formosa and five in T. aurea. Contrastingly, only three traits show differences between sites and only for T. formosa. The intratrunk wood variation is reflected by the hydraulically weighted vessel diameter showing a curvilinear relationship, disagreeing with the prediction of a continuous vessel widening from tip to base. In both species, the largest vessels are linked to the thinnest intervessel pit membranes. Wood density increases basipetally for both species, being site-dependent and correlated with vessel traits in T. formosa, and site-independent and determined by fiber wall thickness in T. aurea. Furthermore, the functional role of rays was found to be different for each species, and may be related to the marked difference in ray composition. In conclusion, both species show a unique adaptation to deal with height-related constraints using species-specific co-variation amongst wood traits, while site does not contribute much to the wood variation.

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What do ecological regions tell us about wood quality? A case study in eastern Canadian white spruce

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2014-0206 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 44 (11) ◽

pp. 1383-1393 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Patrick Lenz ◽

Marie Deslauriers ◽

Chhun-Huor Ung ◽

John MacKay ◽

Jean Beaulieu

Keyword(s):

Wood Anatomy ◽

Wood Quality ◽

White Spruce ◽

Maximum Temperature ◽

Prediction Errors ◽

Wood Processing ◽

Ecological Regions ◽

Wood Trait ◽

Wood Traits

There is a growing interest in improving knowledge on wood quality of forest resources to allow for an end-product oriented supply for the wood-processing industry. We investigated the differences of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) wood traits from 13 ecological regions of the eastern Canadian province of Quebec and identified climatic and geographic variables and tree characteristics that may help predict wood traits in novel approaches to forest inventories. One hundred and eleven wood disks were used to determine wood traits that are related to wood anatomy and to mechanical use of wood. Our results indicate significant differences between ecological regions for most of the investigated wood traits. Samples from several coastal regions showed, for example, wood anatomy that is advantageous for some pulp and paper grades, but they offer comparatively weak estimates for mechanical applications. Ordination and projection to latent structures allowed us to identify maximum temperature, degree days, geographic location, tree height, and tree diameter as important predictor variables for wood traits. The quality of models was variable and R2 values ranged from 0.13 to 0.59. Prediction errors in an independent sample were mostly below 10%, and bias was below 5%. Although the prediction of wood mechanics was less precise, the presented results are an encouraging step toward obtaining a wood trait signature for different environments.

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Modelos da Produtividade Primária Bruta em área de floresta tropical em sazonalmente seca, usando dados reflectância da vegetação de caatinga

Revista Brasileira de Geografia Física ◽

10.26848/rbgf.v14.6.p3775-3784 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 3775

Author(s):

Joélia Natália Bezerra da Silva ◽

Josiclêda Domiciano Galvíncio ◽

Rodrigo De Queiroga Miranda ◽

Magna Soelma Besera de Moura

Keyword(s):

Tropical Forest ◽

Global Climate ◽

Gross Primary Production ◽

Landsat 8 ◽

Surface Reflectance ◽

Similar Data ◽

Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest ◽

Dry Tropical Forest ◽

Seasonally Dry ◽

The Face

R E S U M OArtigo recebido em XX/XX/2021 e aceito em XX/XX/2021 Os estudos da troca de energia nos ecossistemas fornecem informações importantes para a compreensão da Produtividade nos ecossistemas. A vegetação é um dos principais elementos da biosfera terrestre sendo responsável pela avaliação e funcionamento da atividade fotossintética bem como para as trocas de carbono entre os ecossistemas e a atmosfera. Neste contexto, a PPB é utilizada para avaliar, planejar e gerenciar os recursos ambientais frente as mudanças climáticas globais. Esse estudo tem por objetivo avaliar a Produção Primária Bruta no Bioma da Caatinga em Pernambuco. O estudo foi realizado na área de Floresta Tropical Sazonalmente Seca, a Caatinga no Estado de Pernambuco. Utilizou-se a refletância da superfície do produto (MOD09) a partir do MODIS/TERRA satélite do sensor, a refletância de superfície (SR) Landsat-8 e a reflectancia a superficie do fieldspec. Foram adquiridas nove cenas para o produto (MOD09), seis cenas para a refletância de superfície (SR) Landsat-8 e as mesmas datas das imagens foram utilizados os espectros de campo (filedspec). Foi realizada a seleção de amostras espectrais na imagem (espectros de referência), considerando o ponto espectral do local de coleta. Os modelos foram construídos a partir das combinações das bandas (ρ_350, ρ_351, ρ_352, ..., ρ_2500) suas transformações (ρ, 1/ρ, ln⁡(ρ), log_10⁡(ρ), √ρ, ρ^2, e^ρ). Os desempenhos dos modelos foram avaliados utilizando dois índices estatísticos, um de tendência (coeficiente de Pearson– r) e outro de desvio (Erro médio quadrático (RMSE– RMSE), e o PBIAS. Os resultados apontaram que os modelos calibrados demostraram bom desempenho na previsão com o uso das bandas do sensor OLI/Landsat 8 e do MODIS/Terra (MOD09GA). Models of Gross Primary Productivity in a seasonally dry tropical forest area using reflectance data from the Caatinga vegetationA B S T R A C TThe studies of energy exchange in ecosystems provide important information for the understanding of Productivity in ecosystems. Vegetation is one of the main elements of the terrestrial biosphere and is responsible for the evaluation and functioning of photosynthetic activity as well as for carbon exchanges between ecosystems and the atmosphere. In this context, a PPB is used to assess, plan and manage environmental resources in the face of global climate change. This study aims to evaluate a Gross Primary Production in the Caatinga Biome in Pernambuco. The study was carried out in the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest, a Caatinga in the State of Pernambuco. Use the product's surface reflectance (MOD09) from the sensor's MODIS / TERRA satellite and the Landsat-8 surface reflectance (SR), nine scenes for the product (MOD09), six scenes for surface reflectance (SR) Landsat-8 and similar data with fieldspec. A selection of spectral members in the image (reference spectra) was carried out, considering the spectral point of the collection site. The models were built from the combinations of the bands (ρ_350, ρ_351, ρ_352, ..., ρ_2500) their transformations (ρ, 1/ρ, ln⁡(ρ), log_10⁡(ρ), √ρ, ρ^2, e^ρ). The performances of the models were taken using two statistical indices, one of trend (Pearson's coefficient - r) and another of deviation (Mean square error (RMSE - RMSE), and PBIAS. The results showed that the calibrated models showed good performance in prediction using the OLI / Landsat 8 and MODIS / Terra (MOD09GA) bands.Keyword: Remote sensing, FieldSpec®3, Caatinga

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