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Tree water dynamics in a drying and warming world
Author(s) -
Grossiord Charlotte,
Sevanto Sanna,
Borrego Isaac,
Chan Allison M.,
Collins Adam D.,
Dickman Lee T.,
Hudson Patrick J.,
McBranch Natalie,
Michaletz Sean T.,
Pockman William T.,
Ryan Max,
Vilagrosa Alberto,
McDowell Nate G.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/pce.12991
Subject(s) - vapour pressure deficit , juniper , xylem , stomatal conductance , environmental science , precipitation , water content , hydraulic conductivity , soil water , agronomy , transpiration , acclimatization , atmospheric sciences , chemistry , botany , biology , soil science , geography , photosynthesis , geology , geotechnical engineering , meteorology
Disentangling the relative impacts of precipitation reduction and vapour pressure deficit ( VPD ) on plant water dynamics and determining whether acclimation may influence these patterns in the future is an important challenge. Here, we report sap flux density ( F D ), stomatal conductance ( G s ), hydraulic conductivity ( K L ) and xylem anatomy in piñon pine ( Pinus edulis ) and juniper ( Juniperus monosperma ) trees subjected to five years of precipitation reduction, atmospheric warming (elevated VPD ) and their combined effects. No acclimation occurred under precipitation reduction: lower G s and F D were found for both species compared to ambient conditions. Warming reduced the sensibility of stomata to VPD for both species but resulted in the maintenance of G s and F D to ambient levels only for piñon. For juniper, reduced soil moisture under warming negated benefits of stomatal adjustments and resulted in reduced F D , G s and K L . Although reduced stomatal sensitivity to VPD also occurred under combined stresses, reductions in G s , F D and K L took place to similar levels as under single stresses for both species. Our results show that stomatal conductance adjustments to high VPD could minimize but not entirely prevent additive effects of warming and drying on water use and carbon acquisition of trees in semi‐arid regions.