How adaptable is the hydraulic system of European beech in the face of climate change‐related precipitation reduction?

• DOI: 10.1111/nph.13798
• Publication Date: 2015-12-31T16:02:41Z
• Authors: Bernhard Schuldt; Florian Knutzen; Sylvain Delzon; Steven Jansen; Hilmar Müller‐Hau...; Régis Burlett; Yann Clough; Christoph Leuschner
• Keywords: 580; 0106 biological sciences; Principal Component Analysis; Plant Stems; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; Climate Change; Rain; 15. Life on land; Adaptation, Physiological; Wood; 01 natural sciences; Europe; Plant Leaves; Xylem; 13. Climate action; Fagus; Linear Models; Pressure

Summary Climate warming will increase the drought exposure of many forests world‐wide. It is not well understood how trees adapt their hydraulic architecture to a long‐term decrease in water availability. We examined 23 traits characterizing and growth rate branches dependent foliage mature European beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) along precipitation gradient (855–594 mm yr −1 on uniform soil. A main goal was identify that are associated with xylem efficiency, safety growth. Our data demonstrate for first time linear embolism resistance climatic aridity (by 10%) across populations within species. Simultaneously, vessel diameter declined by 7% pit membrane thickness T m increased 15%. Although specific conductivity did change, leaf‐specific 40% decreasing precipitation. Of eight plant commonly resistance, only density combination pathway redundancy were related. confirm widely assumed trade‐off between efficiency but obtained evidence support positive relationship conclude branch system has distinct adaptive potential respond reduction as result environmental control resistance.