Seasonal Dimorphism in the Mediterranean Cistus incanus L. subsp. incanus

Aronne, Giovanna

doi:10.1006/anbo.2001.1407

Cited by 89 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In Mediterranean ecosystems, such timing of growth is possible because of the occurrence of specific morphological, anatomical, physiological and reproductive attributes. They concern all the organs, from leaves to the finest roots, and include sclerophylly, specialised xylem traits and root architecture, that enhance plant survival (Aronne and Wilcock 1994;Aronne and De Micco 2001;Lamont 1983;di Castri et al 1981;Kummerow 1989;Rhizopoulou and Mitrakos 1990;Matosevic et al 1997;.…”

Section: Modulation Of Growth: Phenology and Growth Formsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morpho-Anatomical Traits for Plant Adaptation to Drought

Micco

Aronne

2012

Plant Responses to Drought Stress

158

104

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Plant resistance to drought relies on adaptive strategies based on the timing of phenophases and on the presence of structural traits mainly related to:(1) increase of water uptake and storage; (2) reduction of water loss during dry periods; and (3) mechanical reinforcement of tissues to prevent wilting that may lead to irreversible collapse and damage of cells. In this chapter, after a few evolutionary considerations, we focus on the adaptive value of the main phenological, morphological and anatomical properties. We report the common existence of such traits in both desert and semiarid environments, especially in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. All morpho-anatomical characteristics are interpreted considering that plant resistance to drought also depends on the ability to respond to multiple stressors. We conclude that various combinations of anatomical features can contribute in different degrees to the adaptive capacity of plants to drought.

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Section: Modulation Of Growth: Phenology and Growth Formsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morpho-Anatomical Traits for Plant Adaptation to Drought

Micco

Aronne

2012

Plant Responses to Drought Stress

158

104

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“…In the study area the dominant species were Cistus albidus and Cistus monspeliensis. They are seasonal dimorphic species (Aronne and De Micco, 2001), an adaptation to the Mediterranean summer drought (Orshan, 1964(Orshan, , 1972 that involves the cessation of dolichoblast growth at the end of spring, flower formation, and leaf abscission in order to avoid transpiration water loss. Hence, abundant litter accumulates on the topsoil beneath the shrubs and in surrounding areas during summer .…”

Section: Soil Water Repellencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal changes in the soil hydrological and erosive response depending on aspect, vegetation type and soil water repellency in different Mediterranean microenvironments

et al. 2013

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Abstract. Mediterranean areas are characterized by a strong spatial variability that makes the soil hydrological response highly complex. Moreover, Mediterranean climate has marked seasons that provoke dramatic changes on soil properties determining the runoff rates, such as soil water content or soil water repellency (SWR). Thus, soil hydrological and erosive response in Mediterranean areas can be highly time-as well as space-dependant. This study shows SWR, aspect and vegetation as factors of the soil hydrological and erosive response. Erosion plots were set up in the north-and the south-facing hillslope and rainfall, runoff, sediments and SWR were monitored. Soil water repellency showed a seasonal behaviour and it was presented in three out of four microenvironments after the summer, disappearing in the wet season. In general, runoff rate was higher in shrubs patches (0.47 ± 0.67 mm) than in inter-shrub soils (1.54 ± 2.14 mm), but it changed seasonally in different ways, depending on the aspect considered, decreasing in the north-facing hillslope and increasing in the south-facing one. The main factor determining the hydrological and erosive response was the rainfall intensity, regardless of the rainfall depth of the event. This response was modulated mainly by SWR in the north-facing hillslope and the vegetation pattern in the south-facing one.

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“…Interesting adaptive strategies haven been reported already for many Mediterranean shrubs species, and especially for the Cistus genus, for which a seasonal dimorphism has been described for some them, such as Cistus incanus L. subsp. incanus De Micco 2001, De Micco andAronne 2009) or Cistus salvifolius L. (Simões et al 2012), while others are closer to evergreens, such as C. ladanifer (Simões et al 2012). The main objective of this study was to evaluate some of the most relevant functional and xylem anatomical traits related to drought tolerance and xylem hydraulic efficiency (Table 1) to determine how the four most common Cistus species in Montado Tree Physiology Volume 00, 2017…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in functional and xylem anatomical features allow Cistus species to co-occur and cope differently with drought in the Mediterranean region

Torres‐Ruiz

Cochard²,

Fonseca

et al. 2017

Tree Physiology

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A significant increase in drought events frequency is predicted for the next decades induced by climate change, potentially affecting plant species mortality rates and distributions worldwide. The main trigger of plant mortality is xylem hydraulic failure due to embolism and induced by the low pressures at which water is transported through xylem. As the Mediterranean basin will be severely affected by climate change, the aim of this study was to provide novel information about drought resistance and tolerance of one of its most widely distributed and common genera as a case study: the genus Cistus. Different functional and anatomical traits were evaluated in four co-occurring Cistus species in the Mediterranean Montado ecosystem. Soil water availability for each species was also assessed to evaluate if they show different ecological niches within the area. Results showed physiological and xylem anatomical differences between the four co-occurring species, as well as in the soil water availability of the sites they occupy. Despite the significant differences in embolism resistance across species, no trade-off between hydraulic safety and efficiency was observed. Interestingly, species with narrower vessels showed lower resistance to embolism than those with higher proportions of large conduits. No correlation, however, was observed between resistance to embolism and wood density. The four species showed different water-use and drought-tolerance strategies, occupying different ecological niches that would make them cope differently with drought. These results will allow us to improve the predictions about the expected changes in vegetation dynamics in this area due to ongoing climate change.

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Seasonal Dimorphism in the Mediterranean Cistus incanus L. subsp. incanus

Cited by 89 publications

References 22 publications

Morpho-Anatomical Traits for Plant Adaptation to Drought

Morpho-Anatomical Traits for Plant Adaptation to Drought

Seasonal changes in the soil hydrological and erosive response depending on aspect, vegetation type and soil water repellency in different Mediterranean microenvironments

Differences in functional and xylem anatomical features allow Cistus species to co-occur and cope differently with drought in the Mediterranean region

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