scholarly journals A Leaf Selfie: Using a Smartphone to Quantify Leaf Vulnerability to Hydraulic Dysfunction

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Petruzzellis ◽  
Martina Tomasella ◽  
Andrea Miotto ◽  
Sara Natale ◽  
Patrizia Trifilò ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Xylem Embolism ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Simple Set ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Ostrya Carpinifolia

Accurate predictions of species distribution under current and future climate conditions require modeling efforts based on clear mechanistic relationships between climate variables and plant physiological functions. Vulnerability of leaves to xylem embolism is a key mechanistic trait that might be included in these modeling efforts. Here, we propose a simple set-up to measure leaf vulnerability to embolism on the basis of the optical method using a smartphone, a light source, and a notebook. Our data show that this proposed set-up can adequately quantify the vulnerability to xylem embolism of leaf major veins in Populus nigra and Ostrya carpinifolia, producing values consistent with those obtained in temperate tree species with other methods, allowing virtually any laboratory to quantify species-specific drought tolerance on the basis of a sound mechanistic trait.

scholarly journals Forest vegetation in western Romania in relation to climate variables: Does community composition reflect modelled tree species distribution?

2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffi Heinrichs ◽  
Helge Walentowski ◽  
Erwin Bergmeier ◽  
Karl Heinz Mellert ◽  
Adrian Indreica ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Vegetation ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Western Romania

Diverging drought-tolerance strategies explain tree species distribution along a fog-dependent moisture gradient in a temperate rain forest

Oecologia ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 173 (3) ◽  
pp. 625-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Salgado Negret ◽  
Fernanda Pérez ◽  
Lars Markesteijn ◽  
Mylthon Jiménez Castillo ◽  
Juan J. Armesto
Keyword(s):  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Moisture Gradient ◽  
Temperate Rain Forest

Drought tolerance of wild versus cultivated tree species of almond and plum in the field

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 454-466
Author(s):  
Indira Paudel ◽  
Hadas Gerbi ◽  
Yael Wagner ◽  
Annat Zisovich ◽  
Gal Sapir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Drought Tolerance ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Prunus Dulcis ◽  
Prunus Domestica ◽  
Xylem Embolism ◽  
Wild Tree ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Almond Trees ◽  
Wild Almond

Abstract Trees of the genus Prunus produce some of the most widely consumed fruits globally. The combination of climate change-related warming and increased drought stress, scarcity of freshwater resources for irrigation, and increasing demands due to population growth creates a need for increased drought tolerance in these tree species. Recently, we have shown in the field that a native wild pear species performs better under drought than two cultivated pear species. Here, a comparative field study was conducted in Israel to investigate traits associated with drought tolerance in almond (cultivated Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb vs wild Prunus ramonensis Danin) and plum (cultivated Prunus domestica L. vs wild Prunus ursina Kotschy). Measurements of xylem embolism and shoot and root carbon reserves were done along a year, including seasonal drought in the wild and a 35-day drought experiment in the orchards. Synchronous measurements of native xylem embolism and shoot water potential showed that cultivated and wild almond trees lost ~50% of hydraulic conductivity at −2.3 and −3.2 MPa, respectively. Micro-CT images confirmed the higher embolism ratio in cultivated versus wild almond, whereas the two plum species were similar. Dynamics of tissue concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates were mostly similar across species, with higher levels in cultivated versus wild plum. Our results indicate an advantage for the wild almond over its cultivated relative in terms of xylem resistance to embolism, a major risk factor for trees under drought stress. This result is in line with our previous experiment on pear species. However, the opposite trends observed among the studied plum species mean that these trends cannot be generalized. It is possible that the potential for superior drought tolerance in wild tree species, relative to their cultivated relatives, is limited to wild species from dry and hot habitats.

scholarly journals Climate Signals for Growth Variations of F. sylvatica, P. abies, and P. sylvestris in Southeast Germany over the Past 50 Years

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1433
Author(s):  
Annette Debel ◽  
Wolfgang Jens-Henrik Meier ◽  
Achim Bräuning
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Response Analysis ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Superposed Epoch Analysis ◽  
The Past

Since recent drought events have already caused severe damage to trees and droughts in the near future are expected to occur even more frequently, this study investigated the response of forest ecosystems to changing climate conditions in the topographically complex region of Bavaria, southeast Germany. For this purpose, climate–growth relationships of important European deciduous and coniferous tree species were investigated over the past 50 years at three middle mountain ranges and corresponding basins. A response analysis between tree-ring width and climate variables was applied to detect modifications in tree responses comparing two 25-year periods at individual forest sites. Furthermore, tree responses to climatic extreme years and seasons were analyzed using a superposed epoch analysis. The results showed that Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) proved to be the most vulnerable and least drought-resistant of all investigated tree species. Likewise, Norway spruce (Picea abies) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) revealed a higher drought sensitivity over the past 25 years, even though an extended growing season partially improved tree growth at high-elevation sites. In conclusion, all studied tree species were affected by drought events, even at humid high-elevation sites. Correlations with daily climate variables confirmed that even short-term weather conditions could strongly influence trees’ radial growth. Tree responses to climate conditions have shifted significantly between past and present periods but vary considerably among sites and are generally stronger in humid regions than in already dry areas.

scholarly journals Impact of Air Infiltration on IAQ and Ventilation Efficiency in Higher Educational Classrooms in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6875
Author(s):  
Irene Poza-Casado ◽  
Raquel Gil-Valverde ◽  
Alberto Meiss ◽  
Miguel Ángel Padilla-Marcos
Keyword(s):  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Air Infiltration ◽  
Ventilation Efficiency ◽  
Educational Buildings ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Total Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
The Impact

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in educational buildings is a key element of the students’ well-being and academic performance. Window-opening behavior and air infiltration, generally used as the sole ventilation sources in existing educational buildings, often lead to unhealthy levels of indoor pollutants and energy waste. This paper evaluates the conditions of natural ventilation in classrooms in order to study how climate conditions affect energy waste. For that purpose, the impact of the air infiltration both on the IAQ and on the efficiency of the ventilation was evaluated in two university classrooms with natural ventilation in the Continental area of Spain. The research methodology was based on site sensors to analyze IAQ parameters such as CO2, Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC), Particulate Matter (PM), and other climate parameters for a week during the cold season. Airtightness was then assessed within the classrooms and the close built environment by means of pressurization tests, and infiltration rates were estimated. The obtained results were used to set up a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model to evaluate the age of the local air and the ventilation efficiency value. The results revealed that ventilation cannot rely only on air infiltration, and, therefore, specific controlled ventilation strategies should be implemented to improve IAQ and to avoid excessive energy loss.

Species distribution modeling reveals the ecological niche of extinct megafauna from South America

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Thaísa Araújo ◽  
Helena Machado ◽  
Dimila Mothé ◽  
Leonardo dos Santos Avilla
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Species Distribution Modeling ◽  
Human Action ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Middle Holocene ◽  
Distribution Modeling ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Climatic and environmental changes, as well as human action, have been cited as potential causes for the extinction of megafauna in South America at the end of the Pleistocene. Among megamammals lineages with Holarctic origin, only horses and proboscideans went extinct in South America during this period. This study aims to understand how the spatial extent of habitats suitable for Equus neogeus and Notiomastodon platensis changed between the last glacial maximum (LGM) and the middle Holocene in order to determine the impact that climatic and environmental changes had on these taxa. We used species distribution modeling to estimate their potential extent on the continent and found that both species occupied arid and semiarid open lands during the LGM, mainly in the Pampean region of Argentina, southern and northeastern Brazil, and parts of the Andes. However, when climate conditions changed from dry and cold during the LGM to humid and warm during the middle Holocene, the areas suitable for these taxa were reduced dramatically. These results support the hypothesis that climatic changes were a driving cause of extinction of these megamammals in South America, although we cannot rule out the impact of human actions or other potential causes for their extinction.

scholarly journals Sustainable Ventilation Strategies for a Medium-Sized Space with Regional Effect

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4651
Author(s):  
Ming-Lun Alan Fong
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Co2 Emission ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Regional Effect ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Ventilation Strategies ◽  
Set Up

The analysis of ventilation strategies is fundamentally affected by regional climate conditions and local cost databases, in terms of energy consumption, CO2 emission and cost-effective analysis. A systematic approach is covered in this paper to estimate a local economic and environmental impact on a medium-sized space located in two regions during supply-and-installation and operation phases. Three ventilation strategies, including mixing ventilation (MV), displacement ventilation (DV) and stratum ventilation (SV) were applied to medium-sized air-conditioned space with this approach. The trend of the results for three ventilation systems in the life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) analysis is SV < DV < MV. The result of CO2 emission and regional LCC shows that SV is the lowest one in both regional studies. In comparison with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) during 20 Service years, the case analysis demonstrates that the percentage differences in LCC analysis of MV, DV & SV in Guangdong are less than 20.5%, 19.4% and 18.82% respectively. Their CO2 emission of MV, DV and SV in Guangdong are more than HKSAR in 10.69%, 11.22% and 12.05%, respectively. The present study could provide information about regional effects in the LCA and LCC analysis of three ventilation strategies emissions, and thereby help set up models for decision-making on high efficiency and cost-effective ventilation strategy plans.

Impact of Deer Browsing on Regeneration in Mixed Stands in Southern New England

1995 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Kittredge ◽  
P. Mark S. Ashton
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract Browsing preferences by white-tailed deer were evaluated for 6 tree species in northeastern Connecticut. Deer density averaged 23/mile². Deer exhibited no species-specific preferences for seedlings greater than 19 in. For seedlings less than 19 in., hemlock and black birch were preferred. Red maple, sugar maple, and white pine seedlings were avoided. Red oak seedlings were neither preferred nor avoided. A much higher proportion of seedlings greater than 19.7 in. in height was browsed, regardless of species. Browsing preferences for species in the smaller seedling class, combined with a lack of preference for species in the larger class may result in future stands with less diverse tree species composition. Deer densities in excess of 23/mile² may be incompatible with regeneration of diverse forests in southern New England. North. J. Appl. For. 12(3):115-120.

Do species distribution models explain spatial structure within tree species ranges?

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 662-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Montoya ◽  
Drew W. Purves ◽  
Itziar R. Urbieta ◽  
Miguel A. Zavala
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Species Distribution Models ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Species Ranges

Decadal climate sensitivity of contouritic sedimentation in a dynamically coupled ice-ocean-sediment model of the Pan-Arctic region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Drinkorn ◽  
Jan Saynisch-Wagner ◽  
Gabriele Uenzelmann-Neben ◽  
Maik Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Meridional Overturning Circulation ◽  
Ocean Dynamics ◽  
Sedimentation Rates ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
The North ◽  
Ocean Sediment ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Sediment Model

&lt;p&gt;Ocean sediment drifts contain important information about past bottom currents but a direct link from the study of sedimentary archives to ocean dynamics is not always possible. To close this gap for the North Atlantic, we set up a &amp;#160;new coupled Ice-Ocean-Sediment Model of the entire Pan-Arctic region. In order to evaluate the potential dynamics of the model, we conducted decadal sensitivity experiments. In our model contouritic sedimentation shows a significant sensitivity towards climate variability for most of the contourite drift locations in the model domain. We observe a general decrease of sedimentation rates during warm conditions with decreasing atmospheric and oceanic gradients and an extensive increase of sedimentation rates during cold conditions with respective increased gradients. We can relate these results to changes in the dominant bottom circulation supplying deep water masses to the contourite sites under different climate conditions. A better understanding of northern deep water pathways in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is crucial for evaluating possible consequences of climate change in the ocean.&lt;/p&gt;

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