How woody plants adjust above‐ and below‐ground traits in response to sustained drought

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 239(4), P. 1173 - 1189

Published: June 12, 2023

Future increases in drought severity and frequency are predicted to have substantial impacts on plant function survival. However, there is considerable uncertainty concerning what adjustment whether plants can adjust sustained drought. This review focuses woody synthesises the evidence for a selection of key above-ground below-ground traits. We assess evaluating single traits, or selections traits that operate same functional axis (e.g. photosynthetic traits) sufficient, multi-trait approach, integrating across multiple axes, required. conclude studies adjustments might overestimate capacity drier environments if spatial along gradients used, without complementary experimental approaches. provide common traits; however, this adaptive sufficient respond future droughts remains uncertain most species. To address uncertainty, we must move towards studying trait integration within axes below-ground) gain holistic view at whole-plant scale how these influence

Language: Английский

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Divergence of vessel diameter explains interspecific variation in hydraulic safety to salinity in the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 28, 2025

Abstract Despite their crucial role in providing ecosystem services and livelihood support 124 countries, mangroves are facing challenges from warming, altered seasonal precipitation sea level rise (SLR) the face of climate change. Variation intra‐ interspecific hydraulic traits related xylem anatomy may allow trees to adapt changing environmental conditions, yet little is known about adaptive plasticity mangroves. We examined (i) trait variation across three (low, medium high) salinity zones widespread mangrove species ( Exocecaria agallocha , Xylocarpus moluccensis Heritiera fomes ) with distinct shade tolerance characteristics Bangladesh Sundarbans, (ii) associations traits, (iii) habitat (regulator, resource forest structure) effects on vessel diameter due its strong influence conductivity variation. Although potential (K P leaf‐specific L showed species‐specific variation, a notably greater was found low‐salinity zone (LSZ), which had lower wall reinforcement (t/b) 2 . Xylem exhibited mostly phylogenetic signals, whereas pairwise relationships between were phylogenetically independent. The study characteristics, where D strongly K Furthermore, weak trade‐off efficiency safety. A percentage smaller diameters light‐demanding E. indicates safety against cavitation under stressful conditions than shade‐tolerant H. followed by X. place broad bounds combined salinity, nutrient availability tree size modulate diameter, leads contrasting terms suggests an important adaptation distribution. results also provide insight into salinity‐induced growth reduction mortality Read free Plain Language Summary for this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Vertical variation in leaf functional traits of Parashorea chinensis with different canopy layers

Frontiers in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15

Published: Jan. 29, 2024

Introduction Canopy species need to shift their ecological adaptation improve light and water resources utilization, the study of intraspecific variations in plant leaf functional traits based at individual scale is great significance for evaluating adaptability climate change. Methods In this study, we evaluate how giant trees relate spatial niche specialization along a vertical gradient. We sampled tropical flagship Parashorea chinensis around 60 meters tall divided crowns into three layers. Fourteen key including morphology, photosynthetic, hydraulic chemical physiology were measured each canopy layer investigate variation interrelationships between different traits. Additionally, due potential impact measurement methods ( in-situ ex-situ branch) on photosynthetic physiological parameters, also compared effects these two gas exchange measurements. Results discussion In-situ measurements revealed that most individual-to-individual P. varied significantly heights. Leaf such as midday (MWP) osmotic (OP) insignificantly correlated with maximal net assimilation rate per mass A ). addition, discrepancies found parameters. The caused decrease by 53.63%, 27.86%, 38.05% , 50.00%, 19.21%, 27.90% saturation point These findings provided insights our understanding response mechanisms micro-habitat Xishuangbanna seasonal rainforests fine adaption resultant decoupled traits, which have implications strategies under environmental changes.

Language: Английский

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Bornean tropical forests recovering from logging at risk of regeneration failure

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Active restoration through silvicultural treatments (enrichment planting, cutting climbers and liberation thinning) is considered an important intervention in logged forests. However, its ability to enhance regeneration key for long‐term recovery of forests, which remains poorly understood, particularly the production survival seedlings subsequent generations. To understand impacts logging we tracked diversity, traits that germinated immediately after a mast fruiting North Borneo unlogged forests 30–35 years logging. We monitored 5119 from germination ~1.5 across mixed landscape (ULs), naturally regenerating (NR) actively restored via rehabilitative (AR), 15–27 restoration. measured 14 leaf, root biomass allocation on 399 15 species. Soon fruiting, UL AR had higher seedling densities than NR forest, but was lowest first 6 months. Community composition differed among forest types; lower species richness evenness by 5–6 months post‐mast did not differ between them. Differences community altered community‐weighted mean trait values types, with relative forest. Traits influenced mortality ~3 post‐mast, more acquisitive aboveground investment favoured Our findings reduced diversity suggest long time lags post‐logging recruitment, some taxa. recovers initial production, elevated lowers efficacy active recruitment or communities. This suggests current practices may fail overcome barriers drive changes future plant

Language: Английский

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Predicting Climatic Limits Along a Rainfall Gradient of Dipterocarp Species Based on Leaf Turgor Loss Point

Biotropica, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 57(3)

Published: April 11, 2025

ABSTRACT Drought tolerance is an integral determinant of drought survival in trees; thus, accurate and rapid assessment can lead to improved prediction forest responses droughts. The osmometer method enables the determination leaf water potential at turgor loss ( π tlp ), a key parameter tolerance, from osmotic full sat ). However, despite its wide applications, there have been few validations ever‐wet tropical rainforests. Here, we assessed efficacy dipterocarps, dominant tree group SE Asia Malaysia, examined linkage between distribution along rainfall gradient. determined using conventional was strongly linearly correlated with osmometer. coefficients our model were statistically identical those previously represented, but slightly larger intercept (0.21 MPa). Species more negative distributed drier habitats, relatively variation for species confined climates than occurring seasonally dry climates. Some traits, individual area matter content, associated , these traits alone could not predict distribution. We demonstrated robustness rainforest that current large‐scale moisture availabilities.

Language: Английский

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Wind Shapes the Growth Strategies of Trees in a Tropical Forest

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(9)

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

ABSTRACT In tropical forests, trees strategically balance growth patterns to optimise fitness amid multiple environmental stressors. Wind poses the primary risk a tree's mechanical stability, prompting developments such as thicker trunks withstand bending forces. Therefore, trade‐off in resource allocation exists between diameter and vertical compete for light. We explore this by measuring relative wind mortality 95 forest Panama testing how it varies with tree size, species exposure. Surprisingly, local exposure size had minimal impact on risk; instead, wood density emerged crucial factor. Low exhibited significantly greater risk, suggesting prioritisation of competition light over biomechanical stability. Our study highlights pivotal role safety shaping life‐history strategy structuring diverse forests.

Language: Английский

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Review: Diversity, structure, and community composition of Bornean heath forest with a focus on Brunei Darussalam

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 24(5)

Published: June 2, 2023

Abstract. Ikbal IM, Din HHM, Tuah WH, Jaafar SM, Ahmad N, Sukri RS. 2023. Review: Diversity, structure, and community composition of Bornean heath forest with a focus on Brunei Darussalam. Biodiversitas 24: 2814-2829. Tropical forests, unique lowland ecosystem high conservation value, are increasingly threatened by disturbances. Heath forests characterized trees short stature the presence highly acidic, sandy soils poor nutrient content. widely studied for their diversity, known to support endemics value. Environmental factors soil properties, such as topography, water availability, status, influence tree species diversity structure forests. However, influencing composition, including role seedling communities in communities, still not well understood. In particular, studies Darussalam have revealed endemism Anthropogenic threats highlight urgent need an increased understanding these prioritization conservation. Increased insights into ecological preferences crucial successful restoration degraded The intact ecosystems could provide opportunities further research plant found

Language: Английский

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Shifting trait coordination along a soil‐moisture‐nutrient gradient in tropical forests

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 20, 2024

Abstract Soil nutrients and water availability are strong drivers of tropical tree species distribution across scales. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying environmental filtering along these gradients remain incompletely understood. Previous studies mostly focused on univariate variation in structural traits, but a more integrative approach combining multiple traits is needed to fully portray functional strategies. We measured nine leaf related trees' resource capture hydraulic strategies for 552 individuals belonging 21 an gradient Amazonian forests. Our sampling included generalist specialist from terra firme (TF) seasonally flooded (SF) tested influence topographic wetness index, proxy soil moisture nutrient gradients, each trait separately integration through multivariate indices computed eigenvalues principal component analysis species. Finally, we evaluated intraspecific variability (ITV) generalists specialists by calculating coefficient trait. Results showed that (1) environment had greater syndromes than single variation. Moreover, (2) SF expressed stronger coordination TF Furthermore, (3) ability occupy broader range environments was not reflected larger ITV capacity change environments. work highlights need investigate as multidimensional space understand predict gradients. Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Ecophysiological responses of seedlings of six dipterocarp species to short-term drought in Borneo

Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6

Published: Feb. 3, 2023

To predict the dynamics of tropical rainforest ecosystems in response to climate change, it is necessary understand drought tolerance and related mechanisms trees rainforests. In this study, we assessed ecophysiological responses seedlings six dipterocarp species ( Dipterocarpus pachyphyllus, Dryobalanops aromatica, Shorea beccariana, S. curtisii, parvifolia , smithiana ) experimental short-term conditions. The were initially grown plastic pots with sufficient irrigation; irrigation was then stopped induce drought. Throughout soil-drying period, measured various parameters, such as maximum photosynthetic transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, water-use efficiency, predawn water potential, quantum yield photosystem II F v /F m ), leaf characteristics (using pressure-volume curves), content, total sugar starch contents. all studied, values dropped sharply when soil content fell below 8%. However, there interspecific differences physiological a decrease content: beccariana actively controlled their stomata during reduce consumption via an isohydric response, but showed increase or no change tolerance; Di. pachyphyllus Dry. aromatica maintained photosynthesis close wilting point without reducing anisohydric also increased over drying period; curtisii capacity closure, slight tolerance. Our results indicate that extreme can cause death which could substantially impact future distribution, population dynamics, structure

Language: Английский

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Differential tree demography mediated by water stress and functional traits in a moist tropical forest

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 37(11), P. 2927 - 2939

Published: Sept. 5, 2023

Abstract Climate‐induced changes in tree mortality, recruitment and growth have been extensively observed forests worldwide. However, there is still a lack of quantitative understanding regarding how demography responds to environmental factors, particularly different water conditions, plant functional traits contribute interspecific differences this response. Using data collected from forest monitoring plot, meteorological observations trait measurements on Barro Colorado Island Panama—one the most studied sites, we investigated recruitment, population dynamics 165 species 1990 2014 examined influence determining demography. We also employed parametric accelerated failure time models assess impact individual characteristics survival time. find that stress drives temporal During high period, increase mortality rates decrease caused negative for species. In contrast, decline during low period positively affected Wood density P50 (xylem potential at 50% loss maximum hydraulic conductivity) are significantly correlated with species‐level rates, indicating related resource allocation safety dictate demographic rates. Our results demonstrate jointly mediate tropical forest. High under may especially cause fast‐growing Therefore, timely recovery favourable conditions crucial dynamics. Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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