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XRCT images and variograms reveal 3D changes in wood density of riparian trees affected by floods

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The extension of damage and anatomical changes in riparian trees after flood impact can be quantified with X-ray computed tomography and variogram analyses.

Abstract

This paper combines X-ray computed tomography (XRCT) images and variogram analyses to document the response of riparian trees to mechanical damage caused by floods. Changes in wood anatomy and density have been described in the past to occur as a result of severe cambial tissue damage. However, knowledge is still fragmentary insofar as the spatial extent of responses is concerned and in terms of causative factors controlling the magnitude of response. Here, we present a novel approach combining non-destructive XRCT images with geostatistical tools to describe the extension of anatomical changes in 30 specimens of 3 Mediterranean riparian species (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. and Salix atrocinerea Brot.) scarred by floods. We visually assess tree and wound characteristics (i.e., wound size, decayed area, callus length, callus mark) as well as the health state of trees prior to wounding. In parallel, we systematically computed 1D variograms using XRCT images so as to quantify relative tangential changes in wood density after wounding. Based on non-parametric statistical tests and Principal Component Analyses (PCA), we identify possible controls of macroscopic anatomical features on tangential affected area (TAA) and decay processes. Reactions in trees are controlled differently between species, but are driven above all by the health state of the tree prior to wounding. In view of the expected increase in the frequency of hydrogeomorphic processes and/or changes in the availability of sediments in a future greenhouse climate, wounding of trees is expected to occur more frequently in riparian forests, which could have negative effects on the sustainability of riparian vegetation.

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Author contribution statement

JABC MS CG: conceived and designed the experiments. JAB MS CG: performed the experiments. JABC: analyzed the data. JABC MS CG: contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools. JABC MS CG: wrote the paper.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Forensic Institute of the University of Bern for access to the XRCT device, and to the Tragsa Avila foresters for field support. This study has been partially funded by the project CGL2010-19274 (projects MAS Dendro-Avenidas) of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Kevin T. Smith, Estelle Arbellay and two anonymous reviewers provided valuable and detailed feedback on an earlier version of this manuscript.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Juan Antonio Ballesteros-Cánovas.

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Communicated by E. Liang.

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Ballesteros-Cánovas, J.A., Stoffel, M. & Guardiola-Albert, C. XRCT images and variograms reveal 3D changes in wood density of riparian trees affected by floods. Trees 29, 1115–1126 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-015-1191-6

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