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Physiological responses to extreme hydrological events in the Pantanal wetland: heterogeneity of a plant community containing super‐dominant species
Author(s) -
Dalmagro Higo J.,
Lathuillière Michael J.,
Vourlitis George L.,
Campos Roberto C.,
Pinto Osvaldo Borges,
Johnson Mark S.,
Ortíz Carmen E.R.,
Lobo Francisco de A.,
Couto Eduardo G.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1654-1103
pISSN - 1100-9233
DOI - 10.1111/jvs.12379
Subject(s) - wetland , anoxic waters , stomatal conductance , dry season , environmental science , ecology , flooding (psychology) , wet season , plant community , biology , agronomy , photosynthesis , ecological succession , botany , psychology , psychotherapist
Aims We tested two mechanisms of adaptation to extreme hydrological stresses (flooding and drought) of species making up a tropical wetland plant community by measuring leaf gas exchange and water potential. We hypothesized that anoxic conditions that occur during flooding will decrease leaf gas exchange when compared to the dry season, and that ‘super‐dominant’ species will have a distinctive physiological advantage when compared to other plants within the community. Location Northern Pantanal wetland, Private Natural Heritage Reserve of the Brazilian Social Service of Commerce ( RPPN ‐ SESC Pantanal), Mato Grosso, Brazil. Methods Two periods representing typical extreme hydrological conditions in the Pantanal wetland were selected based on historical soil and meteorological measurements: (1) a drought period when plants experience stress due to soil moisture deficits during a dry season that persists for several months (May to Sept), and (2) a flooding period when oxidation‐reduction potential is negative for 30 d or more (Mar or Apr), indicating anoxic stress. Measurements of gas exchange and leaf water potential were made on seven species in drought and flood stress conditions. The seven species represent the majority of the plant community. Results As a whole, the plant community showed significantly lower potential net photosynthesis ( P N ) during flooding when soil oxidation‐reduction potential reached close to −900 mV when compared to the dry season, but the magnitude of the decline in P N was species specific. Not all super‐dominant species showed higher P N compared to non‐dominant species, but they did demonstrate higher stomatal conductance and transpiration leading to lower water use efficiency. The combination of higher P N despite low soil water content suggests that the plant community had access to deep water resources. This access was also confirmed by the midday leaf water potential, which was similar for the flood and dry seasons. Conclusions Results suggest that the plant community may have high physiological performance under a wide range of soil oxidation‐reduction potentials. Higher P N rates of super‐dominant species indicate a physiological advantage of these species in the different hydrological conditions.