Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Changes in foliar carbon isotope composition and seasonal stomatal conductance reveal adaptive traits in Mediterranean coppices affected by drought

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Forestry Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We estimated water-use efficiency and potential photosynthetic assimilation of Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) on slopes of NW and SW aspects in a replicated field test examining the effects of intensifying drought in two Mediterranean coppice forests. We used standard techniques for quantifying gas exchange and carbon isotopes in leaves and analyzed total chlorophyll, carotenoids and nitrogen in leaves collected from Mediterranean forests managed under the coppice system. We postulated that responses to drought of coppiced trees would lead to differential responses in physiological traits and that these traits could be used by foresters to adapt to predicted warming and drying in the Mediterranean area. We observed physiological responses of the coppiced trees that suggested acclimation in photosynthetic potential and water-use efficiency: (1) a significant reduction in stomatal conductance (p<0.01) was recorded as the drought increased at the SW site; (2) foliar δ13C increased as drought increased at the SW site (p<0.01); (3) variations in levels of carotenoids and foliar nitrogen, and differences in foliar morphology were recorded, and were tentatively attributed to variation in photosynthetic assimilation between sites. These findings increase knowledge of the capacity for acclimation of managed forests in the Mediterranean region of Europe.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amorini E, Bruschini S, Cutini A, Fabbio G, Manetti MC. 1996. Silvicultural treatment of Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) coppices in Southern Sardinia: thinning and related effects on stand structure and canopy cover. Annals of the Forestry Centre of the Agricultural Research Council (CRA-SEL), 27: 167–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beerling DJ, Heath J, Woodward FI, Mansfield TA. 1996. Interaction in trees: observations and mechanism. New Phytologist, 134: 235–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen JH, Hewitson B, Busuioc A, Chen A, Gao X, Held I, Jones R, Kolli RK, Kwon WT, Laprise R, et al. 2007. Regional climate projections. In: Solomon S, Quin D, Manning M, Chen Z, Marquis M, Averyt KB, Tingor M, Miller HL (eds), Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contributions of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambride, United Kingdom/New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciancio O, Corona P, La Monaca A, Portoghesi L, Travaglini D. 2006. Conversion of clearcut beech coppices into high forests with continuous cover: A case study in central Italy. Forest Ecology and Management, 22: 235–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cordell S, Goldstein G, Mueller-Dombois D, Webb D, Vitousek PM. 1998. Physiological and morphological variation in Metrosideros polymorpha, a dominant Hawaiian tree species, along an altitudinal gradient: role of phenotypic plasticity. Oecologia, 113: 188–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cordell S, Goldstein G, Meinzer FC, Handley L. 1999. Allocation of nitrogen and carbon in leaves of Metrosideros polymorpha regulates carboxylation capacity and δ13C along altitudinal gradient. Functional Ecology, 13: 811–818.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cubera E, Moreno G. 2007. Effect of single Quercus ilex trees upon spatial and seasonal changes in soil water content in dehesas of central western Spain. Annals of Forest Science, 64: 355–364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Damesin C, Rambal S, Joffre R. 1998. Seasonal and annual changes in leaf δ13C in two co-occurring Mediterranean oaks: relations to leaf growth and drought progression. Functional Ecology, 12: 778–785.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David TS, Henriques MO, Kurz-Besson C, Nunes J, Valente F, Vaz M, Pereira JS, Siegwolf R, Chaves MM, Gazarini LC, et al. 2007. Water-use strategies in two co-occurring Mediterranean evergreen oaks: surviving the summer drought. Tree Physiology, 27: 793–803.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Lillis M, Matteucci G, Valentini R. 2004. Carbon assimilation, nitrogen, and photochemical efficiency of different Himalayan tree species along an altitudinal gradient. Photosynthetica, 42: 597–605.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Matteo G, De Angelis P, Scarascia Mugnozza G. 2005. Application of isotope discrimination techniques to evaluate the functional response of Mediterranean coppices to high-forest conversion cut. Forest@, 2: 367–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehleringer JR, Cerling TE. 1995. Atmospheric CO2 and the ratio of intercellular to ambient CO2 concentrations in plants. Tree Physiology, 15: 105–111.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Evans JR. 1989. Photosynthesis and nitrogen relationships in leaves of C3 plants. Oecologia, 78: 9–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fabbio G, Cutini A, Mascia V. 1996. Silvicultural treatment of holm oak coppices (Quercus ilex L.) in Southern Sardinia: effects of canopy and crop thinning on microclimate. Annals of the Forestry Centre of the Agricultural Research Council (CRA-SEL), 27: 55–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faria T, Silverio D, Breia E, Cabral R, Abadia A, Abadia J, Pereira JS, Chaves MM. 1998. Differences in the response of carbon assimilation to summer stress (water deficits, high light and temperature) in four Mediterranean tree species. Physiologia Plantarum, 102: 419–429.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Farquhar GD, O’Leary MH, Berry JA. 1982. On the relationship between carbon isotope discrimination and the intercellular carbon dioxide concentration in leaves. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology, 9: 121–137.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Field C, Mooney HA. 1986. The photosynthesis-nitrogen relationship in wild plants: In: Givinish TJ (eds), On the Economy of Plants Form and Function. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 25–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friend AD, Woodward FI, Switsur VR. 1989. Field measurements of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, leaf nitrogen and δ13C along altitudinal gradients in Scotland. Functional Ecology, 3: 117–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gale J. 1972. The availability of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis at high altitudes: theoretical considerations. Ecology, 53: 494–497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gale J. 2004. Plants and altitude — revisited. Annals of Botany, 94: 199.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garzia-Plazaola JI, Faria T, Abadia J, Abadia A, Chaves MM, Pereira JS. 1997. Seasonal changes in xanthophylls composition and photosynthesis in cork oak (Quercus suber L.) leaves under Mediterranean climate. Journal of Experimental Botany, 48: 1667–1674.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gratani L, Covone F, Larcher W. 2006. Leaf plasticity in response to light of three evergreen species of the Mediterranean maquis. Trees, 20: 549–558.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hikosaka K, Nagamatsu D, Ishii HS, Hirose T. 2002. Photosynthesis-nitrogen relationships in species at different altitudes on Mount Kinablau, Malaysia. Ecological Research, 17: 305–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hultine KR, Marshall JD. 2000. Altitude trends in conifer leaf morphology and stable carbon isotope composition. Oecologia, 123: 32–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klein T, Di Matteo G, Rotemberg E, Cohen S, Yakir D. 2013. Differential ecophysiological response of a major Mediterranean pine species across a climatic gradient. Tree Physiology, 33: 26–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kogami H, Hanba YT, Kibe T, Terashima I, Masuzawa T. 2001. CO2 transfer conductance, leaf structure and carbon isotope composition of Poly gonum cuspidatum leaves from low and high altitudes. Plant, Cell and Environment, 24: 529–538.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Körner C, Farquhar GD, Roksandic Z. 1988. A global survey of carbon isotope discrimination in plants from high altitude. Oecologia, 74: 623–632.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Körner C, Farquhar GD, Wong SC. 1991. Carbon isotope discrimination by follows latitudinal and altitudinal trends. Oecologia, 88: 30–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kyparissis A, Petropoulou Y, Manetas Y. 1995. Summer survival of leaves in a soft-leaved shrub (Phlomis fruticosa L., Labiatae) under Mediterranean field conditions: avoidance of photoinhibitory damage through decreased chlorophyll contents. Journal of Experimental Botany, 46: 1825–1831.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenthaler HK. 1987. Chlorophylls and carotenoids: pigments of photosynthetic apparatus biomembranes. Methods in Enzymology, 148: 349–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindner M, Maroschek M, Netherer S, Kremer A, Barbati A, Garcia-Gonzalo J, Seidl R, Delzon S, Corona P, Kolstro M, Lexer MJ, Marchetti M. 2010. Climate change impacts, adaptive capacity, and vulnerability of European forest ecosystems. Forest Ecology and Management, 259(4): 698–709.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall JD, Zhang J. 1994. Carbon isotope discrimination and water use efficiency of native plants of the north-central Rockies. Ecology, 75: 1887–1895.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maxime C, Hendrik D. 2011. Effects of climate on diameter growth of cooccurring Fagus sylvatica and Abies alba along an altitudinal gradient. Trees, 25: 265–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morandini R. (Coordinator). 1998. 1996: Special issue on Improvement of Mediterranean coppices. MEDCOP project. Annals of the Forestry Centre of the Agricultural Research Council (CRA-SEL), 27: 224 pp.

  • Morecroft MD, Woodward FI, Marrs RH. 1992. Altitudinal trends in leaf nutrient contents, leaf size and δ13C of Alchemilla alpina. Functional Ecology, 6: 730–740.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morecroft MD, Woodward FI. 1996. Experiments on the causes of altitudinal differences in leaf nutrient contents, size, and δ13C of Alchemilla alpina. New Phytologist, 134: 471–479.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Núñez-Olivera E, Martínez-Abaigar J, Escudero JC. 1994. Chlorophyll content of a Mediterranean shrub (Cistus ladanifer L.) over a latitude and altitude gradient in the Iberian Peninsula. Photosynthetica, 30: 133–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira G, Penuelas J. 2000. Comparative photochemical and phenomorphological responses to winter stress of an evergreen (Quercus ilex L.) and a semi-deciduous (Cistus albidus L.) Mediterranean woody species. Acta Oecologica, 21: 97–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panek JA, Waring RH 1995. Carbon isotope variation in Douglas-fir foliage: improving the δ13C-climate relationship. Tree Physiology, 15: 657–663.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paridari IC, Jalali SG, Sonboli A, Zarafshar M, Bruschi P. 2013. Leaf macroand micro-morphological altitudinal variability of Carpinus betulus in the Hyrcanian forest (Iran). Journal of Forestry Research, 24: 301–307.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Piper FI, Fajardo A. 2011. No evidence of carbon limitation with tree age and height in Nothofagus pumilio under Mediterranean and temperate climate conditions. Annals of Botany, 108: 907–917.doi: 10.1093/aob/mcr195

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sah SP, Brume R. 2003. Altitudinal gradients of natural abundance of stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon in the needles and soil of a pine forest in Nepal. Journal of Forest Science, 49: 19–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakata T, Yokoi Y. 2002. Analysis of the O2 dependency in leaf-level photosynthesis of two Reynoutria japonica populations growing at different altitudes. Plant, Cell and Environment, 25: 65–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi Z, Shirong L, Xingliang L, Centritto M. 2006. Altitudinal variation in photosynthetic capacity, diffusional conductance and δ13C of butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) plants growing at high elevations. Physiologia Plantarum, 128: 722–731.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun ZJ, Livingston NJ, Guy RD, Ethier GJ. 1996. Stable carbon isotopes as indicators of increased water use efficiency and productivity in white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss)) seedlings. Plant, Cell and Environment, 19: 887–894.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terashima I, Masuzawa T, Ohba H, Yokoi Y. 1995. Is photosynthesis suppressed at higher elevation because of low CO2 pressure? Ecology, 76: 2663–2668.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tognetti R, Cherubini P, Marchi S, Raschi A. 2007. Leaf traits and tree rings suggest different water-use and carbon assimilation strategies by twooccurring Quercus species in a Mediterranean mixed-forest stand in Tuscany, Italy. Tree Physiology, 27: 1741–1751.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Valentini R, Scarascia Mugnozza G, Ehleringer JR. 1992. Hydrogen and carbon isotope ratios of selected species of a Mediterranean macchia ecosystem. Functional Ecology, 6: 627–631.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van De Water PK, Leavitt SW, Betancourt JL. 2002. Leaf δ13C variability with elevation, slope aspect, and precipitation in the southwest United States. Oecologia, 132: 332–343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitousek PM, Field CB, Matson PA. 1990. Variation in foliar δ13C in Hawaiian Metrosideros polymorpha: a case of internal resistance? Oecologia, 84: 362–370.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Research Unit for Climatology and Meteorology applied to Agriculture, CRA-CMA, I-00186, Rome, Italy

    Giovanni Di Matteo & Luigi Perini

  2. Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest systems, DIBAF, University of Viterbo, I-01100, Viterbo, Italy

    Paolo Atzori, Paolo De Angelis & Giuseppe Scarascia Mugnozza

  3. Ente Foreste della Sardegna, Servizio Territoriale di Cagliari, Viale Luigi Merello 86, I-09123, Cagliari, Italy

    Tiziano Mei

  4. Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Forestry Research Centre, CRA-SEL, I-52100, Arezzo, Italy

    Giada Bertini & Gianfranco Fabbio

Authors
  1. Giovanni Di Matteo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Luigi Perini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Paolo Atzori
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Paolo De Angelis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Tiziano Mei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Giada Bertini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Gianfranco Fabbio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Giuseppe Scarascia Mugnozza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giovanni Di Matteo.

Additional information

Project funding: This study was supported by the Italian Ministry for Agricultural and Forest Policy, under the programme Ri. Selv. Italia (Research unit 3.2.1, DIBAF, University of Viterbo).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Matteo, G.D., Perini, L., Atzori, P. et al. Changes in foliar carbon isotope composition and seasonal stomatal conductance reveal adaptive traits in Mediterranean coppices affected by drought. Journal of Forestry Research 25, 839–845 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-014-0532-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-014-0532-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation