Stomatal and Leaf Morphology Response of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Provenances Transferred to Contrasting Climatic Conditions

Climate change-induced elevated temperatures and drought are considered to be serious threats to forest ecosystems worldwide, negatively affecting tree growth and viability. We studied nine European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) provenances located in two provenance trial plots with contrasting climates in Central Europe. Stomata play a vital role in the water balance of plants by regulating gaseous exchanges between plants and the atmosphere. Therefore, to explain the possible adaptation and acclimation of provenances to climate conditions, stomatal (stomatal density, the length of guard cells, and the potential conductance index) and leaf morphological traits (leaf size, leaf dry weight and specific leaf area) were assessed. The phenotypic plasticity index was calculated from the variability of provenances’ stomatal and leaf traits between the provenance plots. We assessed the impact of various climatic characteristics and derived indices (e.g., ecodistance) on intraspecific differences in stomatal and leaf traits. Provenances transferred to drier and warmer conditions acclimated through a decrease in stomatal density, the length of guard cells, potential conductance index, leaf size and leaf dry weight. The reduction in stomatal density and the potential conductance index was proportional to the degree of aridity difference between the climate of origin and conditions of the new site. Moreover, we found that the climate heterogeneity and latitude of the original provenance sites influence the phenotypic plasticity of provenances. Provenances from lower latitudes and less heterogeneous climates showed higher values of phenotypic plasticity. Furthermore, we observed a positive correlation between phenotypic plasticity and mortality in the arid plot but not in the more humid plot. Based on these impacts of the climate on stomatal and leaf traits of transferred provenances, we can improve the predictions of provenance reactions for future scenarios of global climate change.

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Leaf and stem structure of poplar (Populus ×euramericana) as Influenced by O3, NO2, their combination, and different soil N supplies

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x26-075 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 649-657 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

M.S. Günthardt-Goerg ◽

P. Schmutz ◽

R. Matyssek ◽

J.B. Bucher

Keyword(s):

Stomatal Density ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Soil N ◽

Protein Patterns ◽

Mesophyll Cells ◽

Leaf Injury ◽

Populus Euramericana ◽

N Supply ◽

High Soil ◽

Leaf Dry Weight

Although increasing tropospheric ozone (O3) concentrations as well as precursor NO2 emissions and N deposition have been observed, the combination of their effects on deciduous trees is little understood. We therefore examined the growth and leaf injury response of a model tree (Populus ×euramericana (Dode) Guinier cuttings exposed before flush and until they reached a height of more than 1 m) to low and high soil N supply (105 or 315 mg N•L−1 substrate volume), to filtered air, and to filtered air with NO2 (sinusoidal daily course with a mean of 100 nL•L−1), with O3 (60 nL•L−1), or with a combination of both in climate-controlled chambers. High soil N increased total plant dry weight, leaf area, and xylem radius in plants fumigated with or without added NO2 or O3. The number of leaves increased with high soil N independent of added NO2. The stomatal density was influenced by soil N and by fumigations, but the appearance of leaf injury symptoms, leaf loss, specific leaf weight, and bark radius were not modified by the soil N regimes. NO2 alone, though applied in a sixfold ambient concentration, did not significantly increase plant growth. NO2 and O3 alone had opposite effects on specific leaf dry weight, stomatal density, and in the high fertilization regime, on the bark radius. The decrease in specific leaf dry weight and the appearance of early leaf symptoms were enhanced by NO2 added to O3. Visible leaf injury caused by O3 increased in parallel with microscopic changes in mesophyll cell walls, in the starch and protein patterns of mesophyll cells, in the bark cell content, and in the phloem sieve pores. NO2 enhanced the negative effect of O3 rather than compensated for a low soil N supply.

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Do leaf traits in two Dalbergia species present differential plasticity in relation to light according to their habitat of origin?

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt13248 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 61 (8) ◽

pp. 592 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ana Silvia Franco Pinheiro Moreira ◽

Ana Clara Luppi Queiroz ◽

Fernanda de Vasconcelos Barros ◽

Maíra Figueiredo Goulart ◽

José Pires de Lemos-Filho

Keyword(s):

Phenotypic Plasticity ◽

Gas Exchange ◽

Stomatal Density ◽

Common Garden ◽

Leaf Traits ◽

Light Interception ◽

High Plasticity ◽

Forest Species ◽

Palisade And Spongy Parenchyma ◽

Changing Light

The phenotypic plasticity to light of two congeneric species of leguminous trees from distinct habitats was evaluated in a common-garden experiment. For that, we assessed the following two groups of leaf morphological and anatomical traits of 1-year-old seedlings: (1) traits related to light interception (tissues thickness and leaflet mass per area), and (2) traits related to gas exchange (number of leaflets per leaf and measurements of stomatal size and density). Dalbergia nigra (Vell.) Allemão ex Benth. is an endemic Atlantic forest species, and D. miscolobium Benth. is a typical cerrado species. Both were grown under shade and full-sunlight conditions. The phenotypic plasticity of leaves was determined by a relative distance plasticity index (RDPI). For both species, sun leaflets were thicker than shade ones, and only D. nigra presented lower values for stomatal density (nst), percentage of the leaflet area occupied by stomatal pores (nast) and estimated stomatal conductance (gst) under shade conditions. The forest species (D. nigra) had higher plasticity for variables related to gas exchange (number of leaflets per leaf, nst, ast, nast and gst), whereas the cerrado species (D. miscolobium) had higher plasticity for variables related to light interception, such as leaflet mass per area, leaflet thickness and palisade and spongy parenchyma thickness. The degree of plasticity was different for each analysed parameter, and not used to define which species is more plastic. The leaf traits of D. nigra and D. miscolobium that showed high plasticity were related to resources that are not limiting to improve its photosynthesis in a changing light environment.

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Phenotypic plasticity of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stomatal features under water deficit assessed in provenance trial

Dendrobiology ◽

10.12657/denbio.073.017 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 73 ◽

pp. 163-173 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Srđan Stojnić ◽

Saša Orlović ◽

Branislav Trudić ◽

Uroš Živković ◽

Georg von Wuehlisch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phenotypic Plasticity ◽

Water Deficit ◽

Fagus Sylvatica ◽

European Beech ◽

Provenance Trial ◽

Fagus Sylvatica L

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Projected effects of climate change on the carbon stocks of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests in Zala County, Hungary

Forestry Journal ◽

10.1515/forj-2016-0001 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

pp. 3-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Zoltán Somogyi

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Forest Management ◽

Fagus Sylvatica ◽

European Beech ◽

Carbon Stocks ◽

Carbon Accounting ◽

Climate Change Scenarios ◽

Adaptation Measures ◽

Fagus Sylvatica L ◽

Over Time

Abstract Recent studies suggest that climate change will lead to the local extinction of many tree species from large areas during this century, affecting the functioning and ecosystem services of many forests. This study reports on projected carbon losses due to the assumed local climate change-driven extinction of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) from Zala County, South-Western Hungary, where the species grows at the xeric limit of its distribution. The losses were calculated as a difference between carbon stocks in climate change scenarios assuming an exponentially increasing forest decline over time, and those in a baseline scenario assuming no climate change. In the climate change scenarios, three different sets of forest management adaptation measures were studied: (1) only harvesting damaged stands, (2) additionally salvaging dead trees that died due to climate change, and (3) replacing, at an increasing rate over time, beech with sessile oak (Quercus petraea Matt. Lieb.) after final harvest. Projections were made using the open access carbon accounting model CASMOFOR based on modeling or assuming effects of climate change on mortality, tree growth, root-to-shoot ratio and decomposition rates. Results demonstrate that, if beech disappears from the region as projected by the end of the century, over 80% of above-ground biomass carbon, and over 60% of the carbon stocks of all pools (excluding soils) of the forests will be lost by 2100. Such emission rates on large areas may have a discernible positive feedback on climate change, and can only partially be offset by the forest management adaptation measures.

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Genetic Variation of European Beech Populations and Their Progeny from Northeast Germany to Southwest Switzerland

Forests ◽

10.3390/f9080469 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 469 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Markus Müller ◽

Laura Cuervo-Alarcon ◽

Oliver Gailing ◽

Rajendra K.C. ◽

Meena Chhetri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Variation ◽

European Beech ◽

Snp Markers ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Adaptive Genetic Variation ◽

Adult Trees ◽

Fagus Sylvatica L ◽

Regeneration Phase

Climate change can adversely affect the growth of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) across its entire distribution range. Therefore, knowledge of the adaptive potential of this species to changing climatic conditions is of foremost importance. Genetic diversity is the basis for adaptation to environmental stress, and the regeneration phase of forests is a key stage affecting genetic diversity. Nevertheless, little is known about the effect of climate change on the genetic diversity of adult trees compared to their progeny. Here, we present genetic diversity data for 24 beech populations ranging from northeast Germany to southwest Switzerland. Potentially adaptive genetic variation was studied using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in candidate genes that are possibly involved in adaptive trait variation. In addition, more than 2000 adult trees and 3000 of their seedlings were genotyped with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to determine selectively neutral genetic diversity and differentiation among populations. All populations showed high SSR and SNP variation, and no differences in genetic diversity were found between adult trees and their offspring. The genetic differentiation between adults and seedlings within the same stands was also insignificant or very low. Therefore, we can conclude tentatively that the transfer of genetic variation among tree generations, currently, is not much affected by climate change, at least in the studied beech populations.

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Low Population Differentiation but High Phenotypic Plasticity of European Beech in Germany

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11121354 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 1354

Author(s):

Markus Müller ◽

Tanja Kempen ◽

Reiner Finkeldey ◽

Oliver Gailing

Keyword(s):

Drought Stress ◽

Phenotypic Plasticity ◽

Population Differentiation ◽

European Beech ◽

Frost Tolerance ◽

Relative Effect ◽

Effect Of Temperature ◽

Moderate Drought ◽

Fagus Sylvatica L

Drought is increasingly impairing the vitality of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in several regions of its distribution range. In times of climate change, adaptive traits such as plant phenology and frost tolerance are also becoming more important. Adaptive patterns of European beech seem to be complex, as contrasting results regarding the relative effect of phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation in trait variation have been reported. Here, we used a large translocation experiment comprising more than 15,500 seedlings in three regions of Germany to investigate local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in beech. We found low population differentiation regarding plant survival, and plant height increment, but high phenotypic plasticity for these traits. Survival showed a positive correlation with temperature variables and a less pronounced and negative correlation with precipitation-related variables. This suggests a predominant effect of temperature and growing degree days on the survival of beech seedlings under moderate drought stress. The high phenotypic plasticity may help beech to cope with changing environmental conditions, albeit increasing drought stress may make adaptive changes necessary in the long term.

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Ecophysiological traits of a clonal grass in its climate change response

10.1101/864827 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Veronika Kosová ◽

Tomáš Hájek ◽

Věroslava Hadincová ◽

Zuzana Munzbergova

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Phenotypic Plasticity ◽

Genetic Differentiation ◽

Stomatal Density ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Festuca Rubra ◽

Moisture Regime ◽

Plant Fitness ◽

Ecophysiological Traits ◽

Ecophysiological Response

AbstractBackgroundUnderstanding the ability of species to respond to climate change is essential for prediction of their future distribution. When migration is not adequate, reaction via phenotypic plasticity or genetic adaptation is necessary. While many studies investigated the importance of plasticity and genetic differentiation (plant origin) in growth related traits, we know less about differentiation in ecophysiological traits. In addition, the existing studies looking at plant physiology usually do not estimate the consequences of these physiological changes for species performance.MethodsWe used a clonal grass Festuca rubra originating from localities representing factorially crossed gradients of temperatures and precipitations. We cultivated the plants in growth chambers set to simulate temperature and moisture regime in the four most extreme localities. We measured net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll fluorescence, SLA, osmotic potential, stomatal density and stomatal length as range of ecophysiological traits and tested their relationship to plant fitness measured as ramet number and biomass.Key resultsWe found strong phenotypic plasticity in photosynthetic traits and genetic differentiation in stomatal traits. In most traits, the effects of temperature interacted with the effects of moisture. The relationship between the ecophysiological and fitness-related traits was significant but weak.ConclusionsEcophysiological response of Festuca rubra to climate change is driven by phenotypic plasticity as well as by genetic differentiation indicating potential ability of the populations to adapt to new climatic conditions. The changes in ecophysiological traits translate into plant fitness even though other unmeasured factors also play an important role in fitness determination. Inclusion of species ecophysiology into studies of species adaptation to climate can still increase our ability to understand how species may respond to novel conditions.

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Vegetative Growth and Gas Exchange of Apple at High Temperature

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.4.851b ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 851B-851

Author(s):

Renae E. Moran ◽

Curt R. Rom

Keyword(s):

High Temperature ◽

Gas Exchange ◽

Vegetative Growth ◽

Leaf Size ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Leaf Temperature ◽

Temperature Regimes ◽

Number Of Leaves ◽

Growth Chambers ◽

Leaf Dry Weight

Our objective was to determine the potential for acclimation to high temperature in apple. `Imperial Gala'/Malling 26 EMLA and ungrafted Malling 26 EMLA tree were grown in growth chambers under four temperature regimes: 1) 25C for 42 days; 2) 35C for 42 days; 3) 25C for 21 days, followed by 21 days at 35C; and 4) 35C for 21 days, followed by 21 days at 25C. Response of net CO2 assimilation (A) to leaf temperature from 20 to 35C was measured at 21 and 42 days. Response to CO2 from 0 to 1000 ppm was measured at 42 days. Trees were separated into leaf, stem, and root fractions; dried; and weighed. High temperature increased the number of leaves per tree and reduced leaf size and leaf dry weight but did not affect leaf area, stem, and root dry weight. The apparent and minimal acclimation of A to high temperature is discussed.

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Phenotypic Plasticity Explains Response Patterns of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Saplings to Nitrogen Fertilization and Drought Events

Forests ◽

10.3390/f8030091 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 91 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Christoph Dziedek ◽

Andreas Fichtner ◽

Leonor Calvo ◽

Elena Marcos ◽

Kirstin Jansen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phenotypic Plasticity ◽

Fagus Sylvatica ◽

Nitrogen Fertilization ◽

European Beech ◽

Response Patterns ◽

Fagus Sylvatica L

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Two Methods for the Rapid Assessment of Leaf Yields of Erythroxylum coca `Coca'

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.33.3.482e ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 482e-483

Author(s):

Mary C. Acock

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Rapid Assessment ◽

Leaf Size ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Branch Number ◽

Area Index ◽

Production Methods ◽

Canopy Volume ◽

Pca Method ◽

Leaf Dry Weight

To determine the extent of world coca (Erythroxylum) production, methods for rapid estimation of yield (leaf mass) are required. The objective of this research was to compare two methods for rapidly acquiring data to estimate yield. The plant canopy analyzer (PCA) method was based on measuring canopy light interception with the LI-COR PCA, calculating leaf area index (L), and converting L to leaf dry weight using specific leaf area (SLA) values. The canopy subsample method was based on calculating leaf dry weight of a subsample from leaf and branch number, leaf size, and SLA, then multiplying by the ratio of the canopy volume to the subsample volume. PCA measurements underestimated leaf yields when values of L were ≥1.0. PCA estimates could be corrected by adjusting for the observed difference between leaf yields and PCA estimates. The corrected PCA and canopy subsample methods had errors of similar magnitude, both slightly underestimating yield. Both methods performed well when tested against data from a subsequent harvest. The canopy subsample method uses simple equipment and can be ap-plied in almost any environmental condition, but requires more time in the field than the PCA method. The corrected PCA method has slightly less random error than the canopy subsample method but requires expensive equipment, uniform light conditions in the field of view, and cannot be applied when raining.

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