End of season carbon supply status of woody species near the treeline in western China

As trees and shrubs approach the high elevation tree limit, it is often assumed that they fall short in photosynthate (source limitation). Alternatively, low temperature may restrict carbon investment (growth, sink limitation). The content of mobile non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in tissues is considered a measure of the carbon source–sink balance. To test the source vs. sink limitation hypothesis, we compared late-season NSC concentrations of various woody taxa across altitudinal gradients from the subalpine forest to the treeline at the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. Since we were interested in the generality of trends, we present “community” trends across four taxa, namely Quercus aquifolioides, Abies faxoniana, Rhododendron fabri subsp. prattii and Sorbus rufopilosa. NSC concentrations increased significantly with altitude in branch wood, current-year and last-year leaves, while there were no significant trends in stem sapwood and root xylem. The sugar to starch ratio was roughly 1:1 in branches and evergreen leaves, while stems and roots showed a higher starch fraction. Analyses of total nitrogen in leaves and wood tissues indicated no change in the trees’ nitrogen supply with elevation. The overall altitudinal trends of NSC in this group of woody plant species revealed no depletion of carbon reserves near the tree limit, suggesting that sink limitation predominates woody plant life across this treeline ecotone community.     

Cambial growth dynamics and climatic control of different tree life forms in tropical mountain forest in Ethiopia

Munessa Forest is a mountain forest in south-eastern Ethiopia experiencing seasonal rainfall variation. We investigated seasonal cambial activity and dormancy from increment rates of four different tree species belonging to varying life forms, namely, evergreen native conifer (Podocarpus falcatus), evergreen introduced conifer (Pinus patula), evergreen broadleaved tree (Prunus africana) and deciduous broadleaved tree (Celtis africana). Measurements of stem radius fluctuations were registered with the help of high-resolution electronic dendrometers. Daily amplitudes of stem diameter variations and daily and monthly net growth rates were determined and related to climatic variables measured at local climate stations. Thin sections of wood collected with a microcorer every 3–6 weeks allowed a visual control of newly formed wood cells during consecutive time intervals. Lack of water availability during the long dry season induced cambial dormancy of 5–7 months depending on life forms. After the onset of the short rainy season, stem swelling started quite synchronously with a variation of only single days in all studied species. Evergreen tree species were able to initiate wood formation during the short rainy season, whereas growth in the deciduous broadleaved species started in the long rainy season. The acquired data provide a basis for delineating the species-specific growth boundaries and the duration of the cambial growing season.     

Stem CO2 efflux in six co‐occurring tree species: underlying factors and ecological implications

Stem respiration plays a role in species coexistence and forest dynamics. Here we examined the intra‐ and inter‐specific variability of stem CO₂ efflux (E) in dominant and suppressed trees of six deciduous species in a mixed forest stand: Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl, Quercus pyrenaica Willd., Prunus avium L., Sorbus aucuparia L. and Crataegus monogyna Jacq. We conducted measurements in late autumn. Within species, dominants had higher E per unit stem surface area (E_s) mainly because sapwood depth was higher than in suppressed trees. Across species, however, differences in E_s corresponded with differences in the proportion of living parenchyma in sapwood and concentration of non‐structural carbohydrates (NSC). Across species, E_s was strongly and NSC marginally positively related with an index of drought tolerance, suggesting that slow growth of drought‐tolerant trees is related to higher NSC concentration and E_s. We conclude that, during the leafless period, E is indicative of maintenance respiration and is related with some ecological characteristics of the species, such as drought resistance; that sapwood depth is the main factor explaining variability in E_s within species; and that the proportion of NSC in the sapwood is the main factor behind variability in E_s among species.     

Hydraulic and photosynthetic co-ordination in seasonally dry tropical forest trees

In the present study the linkage between hydraulic, photosynthetic and phenological properties of tropical dry forest trees were investigated. Seasonal patterns of stem‐specific conductivity (K_SP) described from 12 species, including deciduous, brevi‐deciduous and evergreen species, indicated that only evergreen species were consistent in their response to a dry‐to‐wet season transition. In contrast, K_SP in deciduous and brevi‐deciduous species encompassed a range of responses, from an insignificant increase in K_SP following rains in some species, to a nine‐fold increase in others. Amongst deciduous species, the minimum K_SP during the dry season ranged from 6 to 56% of wet season K_SP, indicating in the latter case that a significant portion of the xylem remained functional during the dry season. In all species and all seasons, leaf‐specific stem conductivity (K_L) was strongly related to the photosynthetic capacity of the supported foliage, although leaf photosynthesis became saturated in species with high K_L. The strength of this correlation was surprising given that much of the whole‐plant resistance appears to be in the leaves. Hydraulic capacity, defined as the product of K_L and the soil–leaf water potential difference, was strongly correlated with the photosynthetic rate of foliage in the dry season, but only weakly correlated in the wet season.     

中国4种典型森林中常见乔木叶片的非结构性碳水化合物研究

植物叶片的非结构性碳水化合物(non-structural carbohydrates,NSC)不仅为植物的代谢过程提供重要能量,还能一定程度上反映植物对外界环境的适应策略。以温带针阔混交林(长白山)、温带阔叶林(东灵山)、亚热带常绿阔叶林(神农架)和热带雨林(尖峰岭)4种森林类型的树种为研究对象,利用蒽酮比色法测定了163种常见乔木叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC(可溶性糖+淀粉)含量,探讨了不同森林类型植物叶片NSC的差异及其地带性变化规律。结果显示：（1）从森林类型上看,植物叶片NSC含量从北到南递减,即温带针阔混交林(170.79 mg/g)>温带阔叶林(100.27 mg/g)>亚热带常绿阔叶林(91.24 mg/g)>热带雨林(80.13 mg/g)。（2）从生活型上看,无论是落叶树还是阔叶树,其叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量均表现为：温带针阔混交林>温带阔叶林>亚热带常绿阔叶林>热带雨林;北方森林叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量均表现为落叶树种>常绿树种,或阔叶树种>针叶树种。（3）森林植物叶片NSC含量、可溶性糖与淀粉含量比值与年均温和年均降水量均呈显著负相关。研究表明,森林植物叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量以及可溶性糖与淀粉含量比值均具有明显的从北到南递减的地带性规律;其NSC含量以及可溶性糖与淀粉含量比值与温度和水分均呈显著负相关的变化规律可能是植物对外界环境适应的重要机制之一。该研究结果不仅为阐明中国主要森林树种碳代谢和生长适应对策提供了数据基础,而且为理解区域尺度森林植被对未来气候变化的响应机理提供新的视角。     

Leaf and stem physiological responses to summer and winter extremes of woody species across temperate ecosystems

Winter cold limits temperate plant performance, as does summer water stress in drought‐prone ecosystems. The relative impact of seasonal extremes on plant performance has received considerable attention for individual systems. An integrated study compiling the existing literature was needed to identify overall trends. First, we conducted a meta‐analysis of the impacts of summer and winter on ecophysiology for three woody plant functional types (winter deciduous angiosperms, evergreen angiosperms and conifers), including data for 210 records from 75 studies of ecosystems with and without summer drought across the temperate zone. Second, we tested predictions by conducting a case study in a drought‐prone Mediterranean ecosystem subject to winter freezing. As indicators of physiological response of leaves and xylem to seasonal stress, we focused on stomatal conductance (g_s), percent loss of stem xylem hydraulic conductivity (PLC) and photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (F_v/F_m). Our meta‐analysis showed that in ecosystems without summer drought, g_s was higher during summer than winter. By contrast, in drought‐prone ecosystems many species maintained open stomata during winter, with potential strong consequences for plant carbon gain over the year. Further, PLC tended to increase and F_v/F_m to decrease from summer to winter for most functional types and ecosystems due to low temperatures. Overall, deciduous angiosperms were most sensitive to climatic stress. Leaf gas exchange and stem xylem hydraulics showed a coordinated seasonal response at ecosystems without summer drought. In our Mediterranean site subjected to winter freezing the species showed similar responses to those typically found for ecosystems without summer drought. We conclude that winter stress is most extreme for systems without summer drought and systems with summer drought and winter freezing, and less extreme for drought‐prone systems without freezing. In all cases the evergreen species show less pronounced seasonal responses in both leaves and stems than deciduous species.     

哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林木径向生长季节动态及其对气候因子的响应

研究采用树木生长环在哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林持续9年(2009—2017年)监测了2个常绿树种(厚皮香,Ternstroemia gymnanthera;南亚枇杷,Eriobotrya bengalensis)和2个落叶树种(西桦,Betula alnoides;珍珠花,Lyonia ovalifolia)的树干月生长量,采用逻辑斯蒂生长模型(Logistic model)模拟树木径向生长量和物候参数,并分析了年、季尺度上径向生长与主要气候因子的关系。结果表明:1)4个树种年平均生长量为6.3 mm,落叶树种年平均生长量(10.6 mm/a)显著高于常绿树种(3.0 mm/a);2)雨季(5—10月)是哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林树木生长的主要时期,4个树种雨季平均生长量为5.9 mm,占全年总生长量的93%,其中落叶树种雨季生长量占全年的96%,而常绿树种雨季生长量占全年的86%;3)常绿树种生长季长度为169天,长于落叶树种(137天),而落叶树种最大生长速率(0.14 mm/d)显著高于常绿树种(0.03 mm/d),最大径向生长速率能很好地预测树种年生长量;4)低温、雾日和光合有效...     

Contrasting seasonal overlaps between primary and secondary growth are linked to wood anatomy in Mediterranean sub‐shrubs

Whole‐plant approaches allow quantification of the temporal overlap between primary and secondary growth. If the amount of time available to grow is short, there may be a high temporal overlap between shoot growth and wood formation. We hypothesise that such overlap depends on the duration of the growing season and relates to wood anatomy. We evaluated wood anatomy, shoot longitudinal and radial growth rates, fine root production and the concentrations of non‐structural carbohydrates (NSC) in the wood of six sub‐shrub species growing in sites with contrasting climatic conditions (Lepidium subulatum, Linum suffruticosum, Salvia lavandulifolia, Satureja montana, Ononis fruticosa, Echinospartum horridum). Sub‐shrub species living in sites with a short growing season displayed a high overlap between aboveground primary and secondary growth and formed wide vessels, whereas species from the warmest and driest sites presented the reverse characteristics. The highest overlap was linked to a rapid shoot extension and thickening through the enhanced hydraulic conductivity provided by wide vessels. The reductions in NSC concentrations when growth peaked were low or moderate, indicating that sub‐shrubs accumulate NSC in excess, as do trees. The temporal overlap among primary and secondary growth in woody plants may be connected to the duration and rates of shoot and wood growth, which in turn depend on the vessel lumen area.     

Stem hydraulic traits and leaf water-stress tolerance are co-ordinated with the leaf phenology of angiosperm trees in an Asian tropical dry karst forest

Background and Aims

The co-occurring of evergreen and deciduous angiosperm trees in Asian tropical dry forests on karst substrates suggests the existence of different water-use strategies among species. In this study it is hypothesized that the co-occurring evergreen and deciduous trees differ in stem hydraulic traits and leaf water relationships, and there will be correlated evolution in drought tolerance between leaves and stems.

Methods

A comparison was made of stem hydraulic conductivity, vulnerability curves, wood anatomy, leaf life span, leaf pressure–volume characteristics and photosynthetic capacity of six evergreen and six deciduous tree species co-occurring in a tropical dry karst forest in south-west China. The correlated evolution of leaf and stem traits was examined using both traditional and phylogenetic independent contrasts correlations.

Key Results

It was found that the deciduous trees had higher stem hydraulic efficiency, greater hydraulically weighted vessel diameter (D_h) and higher mass-based photosynthetic rate (A_m); while the evergreen species had greater xylem-cavitation resistance, lower leaf turgor-loss point water potential (π₀) and higher bulk modulus of elasticity. There were evolutionary correlations between leaf life span and stem hydraulic efficiency, A_m, and dry season π₀. Xylem-cavitation resistance was evolutionarily correlated with stem hydraulic efficiency, D_h, as well as dry season π₀. Both wood density and leaf density were closely correlated with leaf water-stress tolerance and A_m.

Conclusions

The results reveal the clear distinctions in stem hydraulic traits and leaf water-stress tolerance between the co-occurring evergreen and deciduous angiosperm trees in an Asian dry karst forest. A novel pattern was demonstrated linking leaf longevity with stem hydraulic efficiency and leaf water-stress tolerance. The results show the correlated evolution in drought tolerance between stems and leaves.Key words: Tropical dry forest, karst, leaf habit, hydraulic conductivity, cavitation resistance, leaf water-stress tolerance, wood density, leaf density, phylogenetic independent contrasts     

Do the phenology and functional stem attributes of woody species allow for the identification of functional groups in the semiarid region of Brazil?

The phenology of tree species in environments that are subject to strong climatic seasonality is mainly determined by water availability, which may vary as a function of wood density. The relationship among phenology, water potential, wood density and the capacity of water storage in the stem were determined for woody species of caatinga vegetation (dry forest) in the semiarid region of NE Brazil. Leaf flush and fall, flowering and fruiting events were recorded over a 31-month period, and the water potential was measured over a two-year period. These data were related to precipitation, water availability in the soil and photoperiod. Seven deciduous species exhibited low wood density (DLWD,?<0.5?g?cm^?3), high capacity of water storage in the stem (until 250?% of the dry weight) and high water potential during the year, as opposed to 15 deciduous species that showed high wood density (DHWD,?≥0.5?g?cm^?3). Leaf flush, flowering and the fruiting of DHWD species were related to precipitation, whereas these phenological events occurred at the end of the dry season and/or the beginning of the rainy season for DLWD species and were related to the photoperiod. The two evergreen species showed variations of water potential that were intermediate between those of DHWD and DLWD deciduous species, leaf flush during the dry season and flowering at the end of dry season. These results suggest the existence of three functional groups: evergreen species, DHWD deciduous species and DLWD deciduous species.     

Hydraulic architecture of deciduous and evergreen dry rainforest tree species from north-eastern Australia

Hydraulic conductivity and xylem anatomy were examined in stems of two evergreen species, Alphitonia excelsa (Fenzal) Benth. and Austromyrtus bidwillii (Benth.) Burret., and two drought-deciduous species, Brachychiton australis (Schott and Endl.) A. Terracc. and Cochlospermum gillivraei Benth., from a seasonally dry rainforest in north Queensland, Australia. The deciduous species possessed hydraulic architecture typical of drought-sensitive plants, i.e. low wood density, wider xylem vessels, higher maximal rates of sapwood specific hydraulic conductivity (K_s) and high vulnerability to drought-induced embolism. In contrast, the evergreen species had lower rates of K_h and leaf specific conductivity (K_L) but were less susceptible to embolism. The evergreen species experienced leaf water potentials <–4.0 MPa during the dry season, while the deciduous species shed their leaves before leaf water potentials declined below –2.0 MPa. Thus, the hydraulic architecture of the evergreens allows them to withstand the greater xylem pressure gradients required to maintain water transport to the canopy during the dry season. Our results are consistent with observations made in neotropical dry forests and demonstrate that drought-deciduous species with low wood density and high water storage capacity are likely to be more hydraulically efficient, but more vulnerable to embolism, than coexisting evergreens.     

Variation of δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C of wood and foliage with canopy height differs between evergreen and deciduous species in a temperate forest

We investigated post-photosynthetic fractionation and carbon transfer mechanisms of different plant functional types growing under the same climatic conditions in North-eastern China. The variations in δ¹³C of trunk and branches were compared with leaf δ¹³C at different canopy heights of Pinus koraiensis (evergreen coniferous species), Larix gmelinii (deciduous coniferous species) and Quercus mongolica (deciduous broad-leaved species). Results showed that δ¹³C of leaves increased (became more enriched) with increasing canopy height for both coniferous species (P. koraiensis, L. gmelinii) but not for Q. mongolica (a deciduous broad-leaved species). δ¹³C of both trunk and branches also increased with sampling height for the evergreen conifer P. koraiensis but did not significantly vary for either of the deciduous species (L. gmelinii or Q. mongolica), except a significant increase in branch δ¹³C for L. gmelinii. Similarly, δ¹³C of trunk and branches were strongly correlated with leaf δ¹³C only in the evergreen conifer, P. koraiensis. ¹³C was consistently more enriched in trunk, branches, and roots compared to leaves in all three species. Our findings suggest that, even under the same climatic conditions, different plant functional types may exhibit different carbon transfer mechanisms. This is contrary to the previous hypothesis that different carbon transfer mechanisms operate in forests of different climatic zones, especially in tropical and temperate forests. Particularly, the differences occur predominantly between evergreen and deciduous trees rather than between coniferous and broad-leaved trees. The significant difference in δ¹³C between leaves and wood tissues confirms a previous post-photosynthetic isotope fractionation in temperate forests.     

Spatial variations in non-structural carbohydrates in stems of twelve temperate tree species

The radial, axial and inter-specific variations in concentrations and contents of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in stems were investigated for 12 Chinese temperate tree species. These species had contrasting leaf phenology (evergreen and deciduous) and wood types (non-, ring- and diffuse-porous wood). For each species, we sampled bark (periderm and phloem), outer wood (light-colored) and inner wood (dark-colored) at four heights along the stem (stump, breast height, crown base and mid-crown). Concentrations of total NSC (TNC, sum of sugars and starch), sugars and starch were much higher in bark than those in wood. On average, contents of sugars and starch accounted for 48 and 52 % of the TNC, respectively, and contents of TNC in bark, outer wood, and inner wood accounted for 34, 38, and 28 % of the stem total, respectively. Bark was the major pool of sugars in the stem (accounting for 50 % of the stem total on average), while outer wood was the major pool of starch (41 %). The concentration of sugars varied axially for all the conifers but did not for the broadleaved species. Mean concentrations of TNC, sugars and starch in stem varied by more than twofold among the species. However, there were no significant differences in these values for the species groups with different leaf phenology or wood types. Ignoring the radial, axial and inter-specific variations in NSC in stem would introduce large bias in estimating NSC storage at tree or ecosystem levels.     

Leaf functional traits of Neotropical savanna trees in relation to seasonal water deficit

The seasonal savannas (cerrados) of Central Brazil are characterized by a large diversity of evergreen and deciduous trees, which do not show a clear differentiation in terms of active rooting depth. Irrespective of the depth of the root system, expansion of new foliage in deciduous species occurs at the end of the dry season. In this study, we examined a suite of leaf traits related to C assimilation, water and nutrients (N, P) in five deciduous and six evergreen trees that were among the dominant families of cerrado vegetation. Maximum CO₂ assimilation on a mass basis (A_mass) was significantly correlated with leaf N and P, and specific leaf area (SLA; leaf area per unit of leaf mass). The highest leaf concentrations of both nutrients were measured in the newly mature leaves of deciduous species at the end of the dry period. The differences in terms of leaf N and P between evergreen and deciduous species decreased during the wet season. Deciduous species also invested less in the production of non-photosynthetic leaf tissues and produced leaves with higher SLA and maintained higher water use efficiency. Thus, deciduous species compensated for their shorter leaf payback period by maintaining higher potential payback capacity (higher values of A_mass) and lower leaf construction costs (higher SLA). Their short leafless period and the capacity to flush by the end of the dry season may also contribute to offset the longer payback period of evergreen species, although it may involve the higher cost of maintaining a deep-root system or a tight control of plant water balance in the shallow-rooted ones.     

Water relations of stem succulent trees in north-central Baja California

Summary Water relations of several stem succulent trees were measured in north-central Baja California in comparisons to other growth forms in the same habitat. Our research concentrated on three stem succulent species (Idria collumnaris, Pachycormus discolor and Bursera microphylla) each with a different succulent stem morphology. The stem succulent trees had 1 to 4 kg H₂O/m³ of trunk while the other trees and shrubs in the same habitat had 0.6 to 0.8 kg H₂O/m³. The diurnal and seasonal variation in leaf water potential was small for the stem succulent species in comparison to deciduous and evergreen species as a consequence of the stem-water, buffering capacity. In addition, the leaf conductance of the stem succulent species was low (60 mmol m^–2 s^–1) and yet, the leaf conductance decreased through the day similar to adjacent evergreen and deciduous species. The leaves of the stem succulent trees lost turgor at low saturated water deficits (0.06 to 0.14), had comparatively high osmotic potentials, and high values of elastic modulus in comparison to adjacent evergreen and deciduous species. The stem acts as an important buffering mechanism allowing for the maintenance of leaf turgor in these stem succulent trees. The low transpiration rates of the stem succulent trees may be a mechanism to minimize leaf saturated water deficit and extend leaf longevity.     

Regional‐scale directional changes in abundance of tree species along a temperature gradient in Japan

Climate changes are assumed to shift the ranges of tree species and forest biomes. Such range shifts result from changes in abundances of tree species or functional types. Owing to global warming, the abundance of a tree species or functional type is expected to increase near the colder edge of its range and decrease near the warmer edge. This study examined directional changes in abundance and demographic parameters of forest trees along a temperature gradient, as well as a successional gradient, in Japan. Changes in the relative abundance of each of four functional types (evergreen broad‐leaved, deciduous broad‐leaved, evergreen temperate conifer, and evergreen boreal conifer) and the demography of each species (recruitment rate, mortality, and population growth rate) were analyzed in 39 permanent forest plots across the Japanese archipelago. Directional changes in the relative abundance of functional types were detected along the temperature gradient. Relative abundance of evergreen broad‐leaved trees increased near their colder range boundaries, especially in secondary forests, coinciding with the decrease in deciduous broad‐leaved trees. Similarly, relative abundance of deciduous broad‐leaved trees increased near their colder range boundaries, coinciding with the decrease in boreal conifers. These functional‐type‐level changes were mainly due to higher recruitment rates and partly to the lower mortality of individual species at colder sites. This is the first report to show that tree species abundances in temperate forests are changing directionally along a temperature gradient, which might be due to current or past climate changes as well as recovery from past disturbances.     

Beyond the tropics: forest structure in a temperate forest mapped plot

Question: How do the diversity, size structure, and spatial pattern of woody species in a temperate (Mediterranean climate) forest compare to temperate and tropical forests? Location: Mixed evergreen coastal forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA. Methods: We mapped, tagged, identified, and measured all woody stems (≥1 cm diameter) in a 6‐ha forest plot, following Center for Tropical Forest Science protocols. We compared patterns to those found in 14 tropical and 12 temperate forest plots. Results: The forest is dominated by Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and three species of Fagaceae (Quercus agrifolia, Q. parvula var. shrevei, and Lithocarpus densiflorus), and includes 31 woody species and 8180 individuals. Much of the diversity was in small‐diameter shrubs, treelets, and vines that have not been included in most other temperate forest plots because stems <5‐cm diameter had been excluded from study. The density of woody stems (1363 stems ha^?1) was lower than that in all but one tropical plot. The density of large trees (diameter ≥30 cm) and basal area were higher than in any tropical plot. Stem density and basal area were similar to most other temperate plots, but were less than in low‐diversity conifer forests. Rare species were strongly aggregated, with the degree of aggregation decreasing with abundance so that the most common species were significantly more regular than random. Conclusions: The patterns raise questions about differences in structure and dynamics between tropical and temperate forests; these need to be confirmed with additional temperate zone mapped plots that include small‐diameter individuals.     

Inter-species variation of photosynthetic and xylem hydraulic traits in the deciduous and evergreen Euphorbiaceae tree species from a seasonally tropical forest in south-western China

The objective of the present study was to examine the functional coordination among hydraulic traits, xylem characteristics and gas exchange rates across three deciduous Euphorbiaceae tree species (Hevea brasiliensis, Macaranga denticulata and Bischofia javanica) and three evergreen Euphorbiaceae tree species (Drypetes indica, Aleurites moluccana and Codiaeum variegatum) from a seasonally tropical forest in south-western China. The deciduous tree species were more vulnerable to water stress-induced embolism than the evergreen tree species. However, the deciduous tree species generally had higher maximal rates of sapwood and leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity (K _S and K _L), respectively. Compared with the evergreen tree species, the deciduous tree species, however, possessed a lower density of sapwood and a wider diameter of xylem vessels. Regardless of leaf phenology, the hydraulic vulnerability and conductivity were significantly correlated with sapwood density and mean vessel diameter. Furthermore, the hydraulic vulnerability was positively correlated with water transport efficiency. In addition, the deciduous tree species exhibited higher maximal photosynthetic rates (A _max) and stomatal conductance (g _max), but lower water use efficiency (WUE). Interestingly, the A _max, g _max and WUE were strongly correlated with K _S and K _L across the deciduous and evergreen tree species. These results suggest that xylem structure, rather than leaf phenology, accounts for the difference in hydraulic traits between the deciduous tree species and the evergreen tree species. Meanwhile, our results show that there is a significant trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and safety, and a strong functional correlation between the hydraulic capacity and gas exchange rates across the deciduous and evergreen tree species.     

Similar variation in carbon storage between deciduous and evergreen treeline species across elevational gradients

Background and Aims

The most plausible explanation for treeline formation so far is provided by the growth limitation hypothesis (GLH), which proposes that carbon sinks are more restricted by low temperatures than by carbon sources. Evidence supporting the GLH has been strong in evergreen, but less and weaker in deciduous treeline species. Here a test is made of the GLH in deciduous–evergreen mixed species forests across elevational gradients, with the hypothesis that deciduous treeline species show a different carbon storage trend from that shown by evergreen species across elevations.

Methods

Tree growth and concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) in foliage, branch sapwood and stem sapwood tissues were measured at four elevations in six deciduous–evergreen treeline ecotones (including treeline) in the southern Andes of Chile (40°S, Nothofagus pumilio and Nothofagus betuloides; 46°S, Nothofagus pumilio and Pinus sylvestris) and in the Swiss Alps (46°N, Larix decidua and Pinus cembra).

Key Results

Tree growth (basal area increment) decreased with elevation for all species. Regardless of foliar habit, NSCs did not deplete across elevations, indicating no shortage of carbon storage in any of the investigated tissues. Rather, NSCs increased significantly with elevation in leaves (P < 0·001) and branch sapwood (P = 0·012) tissues. Deciduous species showed significantly higher NSCs than evergreens for all tissues; on average, the former had 11 % (leaves), 158 % (branch) and 103 % (sapwood) significantly (P < 0·001) higher NSCs than the latter. Finally, deciduous species had higher NSC (particularly starch) increases with elevation than evergreens for stem sapwood, but the opposite was true for leaves and branch sapwood.

Conclusions

Considering the observed decrease in tree growth and increase in NSCs with elevation, it is concluded that both deciduous and evergreen treeline species are sink limited when faced with decreasing temperatures. Despite the overall higher requirements of deciduous tree species for carbon storage, no indication was found of carbon limitation in deciduous species in the alpine treeline ecotone.     

A meta‐analysis on growth,physiological, and biochemical responses of woody species to ground‐level ozone highlights the role of plant functional types

The carbon‐sink strength of temperate and boreal forests at midlatitudes of the northern hemisphere is decreased by ozone pollution, but knowledge on subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests is missing. Taking the dataset from Chinese studies covering temperate and subtropical regions, effects of elevated ozone concentration ([O₃]) on growth, biomass, and functional leaf traits of different types of woody plants were quantitatively evaluated by meta‐analysis. Elevated mean [O₃] of 116 ppb reduced total biomass of woody plants by 14% compared with control (mean [O₃] of 21 ppb). Temperate species from China were more sensitive to O₃ than those from Europe and North America in terms of photosynthesis and transpiration. Significant reductions in chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and ascorbate peroxidase induced significant injury to photosynthesis and growth (height and diameter). Importantly, subtropical species were significantly less sensitive to O₃ than temperate ones, whereas deciduous broadleaf species were significantly more sensitive than evergreen broadleaf and needle‐leaf species. These findings suggest that carbon‐sink strength of Chinese forests is reduced by present and future [O₃] relative to control (20–40 ppb). Given that (sub)‐tropical evergreen broadleaved species dominate in Chinese forests, estimation of the global carbon‐sink constraints due to [O₃] should be re‐evaluated.