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Contrasting strategies for tree species to cope with heat and dry conditions at urban sites

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Abstract

Street trees planted at tree pits with impermeable pavements are exposed to a high level of both, atmospheric and edaphic stress. For many species tree physiology, optimal growth, and consequently long-term vitality may be hampered under these harsh conditions. Therefore, maintaining the vitality and promoting the ecosystem services provided by urban trees, for example aesthetic values and microclimatic benefits, it is important to establish trees with a high tolerance to stressful urban environments. Measurements of leaf gas exchange, leaf water potential, leaf surface temperature and chlorophyll-fluorescence were used for identification of specific response of Corylus corluna L., Ginkgo biloba L., Liriodendron tulipifera L., and Tilia cordata Mill. ‘Greenspire’. The summer months in 2013 with a period of heat and drought over eight weeks only interrupted by two rainy days were appropriate to access tree’s strategies to cope with low water availability. During the measurement period, the influence of high temperatures, high values of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and low soil water availability on stomatal conductance, water-use efficiency (WUE) and leaf water potential (Ψmin, Ψmax ) was highest for Liriodendron followed by Ginkgo. These species showed high reductions in WUE in case of higher air temperatures and high values of VPD. Results indicate an avoidance strategy under increasing heat and VPD. In contrast, Corylus and Tilia followed a tolerance strategy indicated by decreasing values of Ψmin and lower reductions of WUE. In conclusion, wide species-specific variation in response to high temperatures and high VPD indicates that substantial potential exists in the selection for dry and hot urban places.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks are due to Sebastian Dettmann, Erik Fritzsche, and Rico Kniesel for their assistance during the fieldwork and their advice in the practical fieldwork. We extend our thanks to the staff members of the offices for Municipal Affairs (Amt für Stadtgrün and Abfallwirtschaft Dresden) and, in particular, Mr. Steffen Löbel for the administrative support, helpful information and logistical maintenance during the fieldwork. This study was realised within the project Citree with financial support from the European Social Fund of the European Union and the free state of Saxony (grant number 100098207 [1322746721844]).

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  1. Institute of Forest Botany and Forest Zoology, TU Dresden, Pienner Str. 7, 01737, Tharandt, Germany

    Sten Gillner, Sandra Korn & Andreas Roloff

  2. Eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland

    Mathias Hofmann

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  1. Sten Gillner
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  2. Sandra Korn
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Correspondence to Sten Gillner.

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Gillner, S., Korn, S., Hofmann, M. et al. Contrasting strategies for tree species to cope with heat and dry conditions at urban sites. Urban Ecosyst 20, 853–865 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-016-0636-z

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