Intra-annual patterns of tracheid size in the Mediterranean tree Juniperus thurifera as an indicator of seasonal water stress
Abstract
Because climate can affect xylem cell anatomy, series of intra-annual cell anatomical features have the potential to retrospectively supply seasonal climatic information. In this study, we explored the ability to extract information about water stress conditions from tracheid features of the Mediterranean conifer Juniperus thurifera L. Tracheidograms of four climatic years from two drought-sensitive sites in Spain were compared to evaluate whether it is possible to link intra-annual cell size patterns to seasonal climatic conditions. Results indicated site-specific anatomical adjustment such as smaller and thicker tracheids at the dryer site but also showed a strong climatic imprint on the intra-annual pattern of tracheid size. Site differences in cell size reflected expected structural adjustments against cavitation failures. Differences between intra-annual patterns, however, indicated a response to seasonal changes in water availability whereby cells formed under drought conditions were smaller and thicker, and vice versa. This relationship was more manifest and stable at the dryer site.
Résumé
Étant donné que le climat peut influencer l’anatomie des cellules du xylème, il est possible que des séquences des caractéristiques anatomiques intra-annuelles des cellules puissent, rétrospectivement, fournir des informations climatiques saisonnières. Dans cette étude, nous avons exploré la capacité d’extraire de l’information au sujet des conditions de stress hydrique à partir des caractéristiques des trachéides du Juniperus thurifera L., un conifère de la région méditerranéenne. Les trachéidogrammes de quatre années climatiques provenant de deux stations sujettes à la sécheresse en Espagne ont été comparés pour évaluer s’il est possible de relier le patron intra-annuel de la dimension des cellules et les conditions climatiques saisonnières. Les résultats ont montré qu’il y avait une adaptation anatomique spécifique à la station, telle que des trachéides plus petites et plus épaisses dans la station la plus sèche, mais qu’il y avait aussi une forte empreinte climatique dans le patron intra-annuel de la dimension des trachéides. Les différences entre les stations quant à la dimension des cellules reflétaient les adaptations structurales prévisibles pour prévenir les accidents dus à la cavitation. Cependant, les différences entre les patrons intra-annuels étaient dues à une réaction aux changements saisonniers dans la disponibilité en eau, à la suite de laquelle les cellules formées dans des conditions de sécheresse étaient plus petites et plus épaisses et vice-versa. Cette relation était plus évidente et stable dans la station la plus sèche.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Canadian Journal of Forest Research
Volume 41 • Number 6 • June 2011
Pages: 1280 - 1294
History
Received: 12 July 2010
Accepted: 22 February 2011
Published online: 24 May 2011
Copyright
©2011