The anatomical traits of trunk wood and their relevance to oak (Quercus robur L.) vitality

Tulik, Mirela

doi:10.1007/s10342-014-0801-y

Cited by 23 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…), its ability to strongly reduce stomatal conductance during drought (Bréda et al. ), or the ability to shed twigs (cladoptosis) to reduce transpiration (Rust and Roloff ; Tulik ). The latter may be particularly important for the lagged response to drought, since leaf area is reduced for several years and resources need to be re‐allocated to the growth of twigs and leaves, such that less carbon is available for stem growth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying the effects of drought on abrupt growth decreases of major tree species in Switzerland

Vanoni

Bugmann

Nötzli

et al. 2016

Ecology and Evolution

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Drought entails important effects on tree physiology, which may result in short‐ to long‐term radial growth decreases. While the majority of studies have focused on annual drought‐related variability of growth, relatively little is known about sustained growth decreases following drought years. We apply a statistical framework to identify climatic factors that induce abrupt growth decreases and may eventually result in tree mortality. We used tree‐ring data from almost 500 standing dead trees and 200 living trees in eight sites of the Swiss network of strict forest reserves, including four of the most important Central European tree species (Abies alba, Picea abies, Fagus sylvatica and Quercus spp.). First, to assess short‐term growth responses to drought under various climate and site conditions, we calculated correlations and linear mixed‐effects models between ring‐width indices (RWIs) and drought based on the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). Second, to quantify drought effects on abrupt growth decreases, we applied distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNMs), which account for both delayed effects and the nonlinear relationship between the SPEI and the occurrence of abrupt growth decreases. Positive correlations between RWIs and the SPEI indicated short‐term growth responses of all species, particularly at arid sites. Results of the DLNMs revealed species‐specific growth responses to drought. For Quercus spp., abrupt growth decreases were more likely to occur several years following severe drought, whereas for P. abies, A. alba, and F. sylvatica abrupt growth decreases started frequently immediately in the drought year. We conclude that the statistical framework allows for quantifying the effects of drought intensity on the probability of abrupt growth decreases, which ultimately contributes to an improved understanding of climate impacts on forest community dynamics.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying the effects of drought on abrupt growth decreases of major tree species in Switzerland

Vanoni

Bugmann

Nötzli

et al. 2016

Ecology and Evolution

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“…On the other hand, Tulik and Bijak (2016) found a less significant effect of climate on oak decline. In declined oaks, repeated ecophysiological stress resulted in a decrease in the earlywood-vessel diameter and consequently in the reduction of the hydraulic conductivity (Tulik 2014). Smaller earlywood vessels can also be produced as a result of unsuitable weather conditions in the previous summer or low temperatures at the end of winter and in early spring (Garcia-González and Eckstein 2003;Fonti and GarciaGonzález 2008;González-González et al 2013a, b) or flooding (George et al 2002;Gričar et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does tree-ring formation follow leaf phenology in Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)?

et al. 2017

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We monitored leaf phenology and xylogenesis of 12 Pedunculate oaks in northern Poland in 2014. We hypothesized that the individual trees, which differed in size, age and habitat (tree stand or gap), also diverged in terms of the seasonal patterns of leaf phenology and xylogenesis. The samples used for wood formation observations were collected most frequently during the early leaf phenophases (from March to end of June). The transverse sections of the cambial region were cut with a sledge microtome. We counted the number of cambial cells, measured the width of xylem increment and assessed the timing of xylogenesis and earlywood-vessel formation. We found significant differences in leaf phenology and timing of xylogenesis among individual trees. The smallest differences in wood formation among the trees were observed at the beginning of the vegetation season when the first earlywood vessels were detected (9 days). The dates of completion of the first tangential row of earlywood vessels varied by up to 30 days, while for the completion of the entire earlywood dates varied by up to 32 days. The highest productivity of cambial cells (13 cell layers) was observed around the time of bud swelling at mid-April. In the last days of April, the number of cambial cell layers decreased and subsequently increased again when the leaves were nearly fully expanded at the end of May. To summarize, we observed a high seasonal variability in the number of cambial cell layers. Differences in the time of cessation of cambial activity and xylogenesis amounted to 1 month. We conclude that: (1) oak tree-ring widths and earlywoodvessel sizes and numbers may not be sensitive indicators for early spring temperature and spring defoliation; (2) the missing association between leaf phenophases and xylogenesis as well as the phenological variability may be the reasons for the lack of a clear climatic effect on the abovementioned parameters.

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“…Levanic et al (2011) stated that periods of low growth rates preceding mortality are consistent with the carbon starvation mechanism of decline, but this does not exclude reduced water transport capacity in the final years before death, due to a low xylem production. Moreover, the reduced growth rate has been observed not only within the period of dieback symptoms occurrence, but also during the whole life of declining trees (Tulik 2014). However, in other studies on oak decline higher growth rates have been described in trees prone to drought-induced damage, particularly in temperate areas where water shortage rarely occurs (Levanic et al 2011).…”

Section: Iforest -Biogeosciences and Forestrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Drought-induced oak decline in the western Mediterranean region: an overview on current evidences, mechanisms and management options to improve forest resilience

Gentilesca¹,

Camarero²,

Colangelo³

et al. 2017

iForest

120

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Increased forest vulnerability is being reflected as more widespread and severe drought-induced decline episodes. In particular, the Mediterranean area is revealing a high susceptibility to phenomena of loss in tree vitality across species. Within tree species, oaks (Quercus spp.) are experiencing extensive decline in many countries. However, in the wake of the so-called "oak decline phenomenon", the attention on these species has generally been limited. In this paper, we review the current available literature on oakdecline cases reported within the Mediterranean Basin, with particular remark for those occurred in Italy and Spain. More specifically our main aims were to: (i) provide an update on the patterns and mechanisms of decline by focusing on tree-ring and wood-anatomical variables; (ii) provide some hints for improving the resistance and resilience of oak stands experiencing decline. Our review reveals that drought is reported as the main driver triggering oak decline within the Mediterranean Basin, although other causes (i.e., increasing temperature, pathogens attack or excessive stand density) could exacerbate decline. In most reported cases, drought induced a substantial reduction of growth and changes in some wood anatomical properties. Indeed, growth decline prior death is also indicated as an early-warning signal of impending death. In ring-porous oak species, declining trees were often characterized by a very low production of latewood and a decrease in lumen area of the widest earlywood vessels, suggesting a potential reduction of hydraulic conductivity. Moreover, hydraulic dysfunction is reported as the main cause of decline. Finally, regarding management actions that should be considered for improving the resilience of declining stands and preserve the species-specific stand composition, it could be useful to shorten the rotation period of coppice stands or promoting their gradual conversion towards high forests, and favoring more drought-resistant species should also be considered. In addition, regeneration prior to regeneration cuts should be improved by anticipating seed dispersal or by planting oak seedlings obtained from local germoplasm.

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The anatomical traits of trunk wood and their relevance to oak (Quercus robur L.) vitality

Cited by 23 publications

References 55 publications

Quantifying the effects of drought on abrupt growth decreases of major tree species in Switzerland

Quantifying the effects of drought on abrupt growth decreases of major tree species in Switzerland

Does tree-ring formation follow leaf phenology in Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)?

Drought-induced oak decline in the western Mediterranean region: an overview on current evidences, mechanisms and management options to improve forest resilience

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