Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Differential response of two Central-European oak species to single and combined stress factors

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Trees Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We studied the effects of repeated defoliation and drought, which are considered to be most effective in triggering oak decline, on the Central-European oak species Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl. Three-year-old saplings were subjected to artificial defoliation in two consecutive years and to drought stress, applied singly or in combination. Differences in the morphological, anatomical and physiological responses to these stress factors among treatments and between species were tested in a 3-year experiment. Drought stress lowered the pre-dawn and the afternoon leaf-water potentials in both species, irrespective of additional defoliation. The relative water content of the leaves was unaffected by drought stress; but, in Q. robur, it decreased in trees subjected to defoliation and to the combination of drought stress and defoliation. When repeated defoliation and drought stress were applied within the same growing season, the leaf-to-air difference in the partial pressure of water vapour (Δw) explained most of the variation in the daily integral of the stomatal conductance to water vapour (g s day sum) in Q. petraea; however, in Q. robur, the hydraulic conductance of the twigs was the most powerful predictor variable. In the same year, the actual hydraulic conductance was correlated with g s day sum in Q. robur, but not in Q. petraea. The studied parameters of gas exchange and biomass production revealed that Q. robur recovered more rapidly from stress than did Q. petraea. We hypothesize that this is due to Q. robur‘s lower responsiveness to the environmental variable Δw and its higher responsiveness to internal hydraulic conductance compared to Q. petraea.

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.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altenkirch W (1991) Zyklische Fluktuation beim Kleinen Frostspanner (Operophthera brumata L.). Allg Forst- u J-Ztg 162:2–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Aranda I, Gil L, Pardos JA (2000) Water relations and gas exchange in Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl. in a mixed stand at their southern limit of distribution in Europe. Trees 14:344–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ball JT, Woodrow IE, Berry JA (1987) A model predicting stomatal conductance and its contribution to the control of photosynthesis under different environmental conditions. In: Biggins J (ed) Progress in Photosynthesis Research, vol 4. M. Nijhoff, Dordrecht, pp 221–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartels C (2001) Auswirkungen von Entlaubung und Trockenstress auf das wasserleitende System junger Eichen (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl. und Quercus robur L.). Diploma Thesis, Albrecht von Haller Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen

  • Blank R (1997) Ringporigkeit des Holzes und häufige Entlaubung durch Insekten als spezifische Risikofaktoren der Eichen. Forst Holz 52:235–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Blank R, Hartmann G (1993) Eichensterben in Norddeutschland—Symptomatik und mögliche Ursachen. In: Bayerische Akademie für Wissenschaften (ed) Zustand und Gefährdung der Laubwälder. Rundgespräche der Kommission für Ökologie 5. Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, München, pp 45–56

  • Blank R, Riemer T (1999) Quantifizierung des Einflusses blattfressender Insekten auf den Spätholzzuwachs der Eiche in Nordwestdeutschland. Forst Holz 54:569–576

    Google Scholar 

  • Block J, Delb H, Hartmann G, Seemann D, Schröck HW (1995) Schwere Folgeschäden nach Kahlfraß durch Schwammspinner im Bienwald. Allg Forst Z/Wald 50:1278–1281

    Google Scholar 

  • Cochard H, Bréda N, Granier A, Aussenac G (1992) Vulnerability to air embolism of three European oak species (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl., Q. pubescens Willd., Q. robur L.). Ann Sci For 49:225–233

    Google Scholar 

  • Cochard H, Bréda N, Granier A (1996) Whole tree hydraulic conductance and water loss regulation in Quercus during drought: evidence for stomatal control of embolism? Ann Sci For 53:197–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Delatour C (1983) Les dépérissements de chênes en Europe. Rev For Fr 35:265–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewar RC (2002) The Ball-Berry-Leuning and Tardieu-Davies stomatal models: synthesis and extension within a spatially aggregated picture of guard cell function. Plant Cell Environ 25:1383–1398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellenberg H (1996) Vegetation Mitteleuropas mit den Alpen. 5th edn. Ulmer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Feeny P (1970) Seasonal changes in oak leaf tannins and nutrients as a cause of spring feeding by winter moth caterpillars. Ecology 51:565–581

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao Q, Zhao P, Zeng X, Cai X, Shen W (2002) A model of stomatal conductance to quantify the relationship between leaf transpiration, microclimate and soil water stress. Plant Cell Environ 25:1373–1381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gieger T (2002) Auswirkungen von Trockenheit und Entlaubung auf den Wasserhaushalt von Stiel- und Traubeneiche. PhD Thesis, Faculties of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Göttingen. http://webdoc.sub.gwdg.de/diss/2002/gieger/gieger.pdf

  • Gieger T, Thomas FM (2002) Effects of defoliation and drought stress on biomass partitioning and water relations of Quercus robur and Quercus petraea. Basic Appl Ecol 3:171–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Gradwell GR (1974) The effect of defoliators on tree growth. In: Morris MG, Perring FH (eds) The British Oak. B.S.B.I. Conference Reports 14. Classey, Faringdon, UK, pp 182–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross K, Homlicher A, Weinreich A, Wagner E (1996) Effect of shade on stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis, photochemical efficiency and growth of oak saplings. Ann Sci For 53:279–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutschick VP, Simonneau T (2002) Modelling stomatal conductance of field-grown sunflower under varying soil water content and leaf environment: comparison of three models of stomatal response to leaf environment and coupling with an abscisic acid-based model of stomatal response to soil drying. Plant Cell Environ 25:1423–1434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann G (1996) Ursachenanalyse des Eichensterbens in Deutschland—Versuch einer Synthese der bisherigen Befunde. Mitt Biol Bundesanst Land- u. Forstwirtsch Berlin-Dahlem 318:125–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann G, Blank R (1992) Winterfrost, Kahlfraß und Prachtkäferbefall als Faktoren im Ursachenkomplex des Eichensterbens in Norddeutschland. Forst Holz 47:443–452

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann G, Blank R (1998) Aktuelles Eichensterben in Niedersachsen—Ursachen und Gegenmaßnahmen. Forst Holz 53:733–735

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann G, Nienhaus F, Butin H (1995) Farbatlas Waldschäden; 2nd edn. Ulmer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones HG (1998) Stomatal control of photosynthesis and transpiration. J Exp Bot 49:387–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katul G, Leuning R, Oren R (2003) Relationship between plant hydraulic and biochemical properties derived from a steady-state coupled water and carbon transport model. Plant Cell Environ 26:339–350

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krahl-Urban J (1959) Die Eichen. Parey, Hamburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Leuning R (1990) Modeling stomatal behavior and photosynthesis of Eucalyptus grandis. Aust J Plant Physiol 17:159–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Leuning R (1995) A critical appraisal of a combined stomatal-photosynthesis model for C3 plants. Plant Cell Environ 18:339–355

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McGraw JB, Gottschalk KW, Vavrek MC, Chester AL (1990) Interactive effects of resource availabilities and defoliation on photosynthesis, growth, and mortality of red oak seedlings. Tree Physiol 7:247–254

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mencuccini M (2003) The ecological significance of long-distance water transport: short-term regulation, long-term acclimation and the hydraulic costs of stature across plant life forms. Plant Cell Environ 26:163–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meusel H, Jäger E, Weinert E (1965) Vergleichende Chorologie der zentraleuropäischen Flora. VEB G. Fischer, Jena

    Google Scholar 

  • Nardini A, Salleo S (2000) Limitation of stomatal conductance by hydraulic traits: sensing or preventing xylem cavitation? Trees 15:14–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nykänen H, Koricheva J (2004) Damage-induced changes in woody plants and their effects on insect herbivore perfomance: a meta-analysis. Oikos 104:247–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohnesorge B (1991) Tiere als Pflanzenschädlinge, 2nd edn. Thieme, Stuttgart New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Oren R, Sperry JS, Katul GG, Pataki DE, Ewers BE, Phillips N, Schäfer KVR (1999) Survey and synthesis of intra- and interspecific variation in stomatal sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit. Plant Cell Environ 22:1515–1526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ponton S, Dupouey J-L, Bréda N, Dreyer E (2002) Comparison of water-use efficiency of seedlings from two sympatric oak species: genotype × environment interactions. Tree Physiol 22:413–422

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rubtsov VV (1996) Influence of repeated defoliations by insects on wood increment in common oak (Quercus robur L.). Ann Sci For 53:407–412

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs L (1984) Applied Statistics—a Handbook of Techniques. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlag MG (1994) Das europäische “Eichensterben” und seine Ursachen—von einem phytopathologischen Standpunkt aus gesehen. Cbl ges Forstwes 111:243–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro SS, Wilk MB (1965) An analysis of variance test for normality (complete samples). Biometrika 52:591–611

    Google Scholar 

  • Slavik B (1974) Methods of Studying Plant Water Relations. Ecological Studies vol 9. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Sperry J (2000) Hydraulic constraints on plant gas exchange. Agricult For Meteorol 104:13–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sperry JS, Saliendra NZ (1994) Intra- and inter-plant variation in xylem cavitation in Betula occidentalis. Plant Cell Environ 17:1233–1241

    Google Scholar 

  • Sperry JS, Donnelly JR, Tyree MT (1988) A method for measuring hydraulic conductivity and embolism in xylem. Plant Cell Environ 11:35–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Sperry JS, Hacke U, Oren R, Comstock JP (2002) Water deficits and hydraulic limits to leaf water supply. Plant Cell Environ 25:251–263

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Svolba J, Kleinschmit J (2000) Herkunftsunterschiede beim Eichensterben. Forst Holz 55:15–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Tardieu F, Davies WJ (1993) Integration of hydraulic and chemical signalling in the control of stomatal conductance and water status of droughted plants. Plant Cell Environ 16:341–349

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas FM (1998) State of knowledge in cause-effect research on damage to oak and beech in Europe. In: Augustin S, Andreae H (eds) Cause-Effect Interrelations in Forest Condition—State of Current Knowledge. UN/ECE International Co-operative Progamme Forests. Federal Research Centre for Forestry and Forest Products, Hamburg, pp 14–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas FM (2000) Growth and water relations of four deciduous tree species (Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl., Q. pubescens Willd., Sorbus aria [L.] Cr.) occurring at Central-European tree-line sites on shallow calcareous soils: physiological reactions of seedlings to severe drought. Flora 195:104–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas FM, Gausling T (2000) Morphological and physiological responses of oak seedlings (Quercus petraea and Q. robur) to moderate drought. Ann Sci For 57:325–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas FM, Hartmann G (1998) Tree rooting patterns and soil water relations of healthy and damaged stands of mature oak (Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl.). Plant Soil 203:145–158

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas FM, Schafellner C (1999) Effects of excess nitrogen and drought on the foliar concentrations of allelochemicals in young oaks (Quercus robur L. and Q. petraea [Matt.] Liebl.). J Appl Bot 73:222–227

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas FM, Blank R, Hartmann G (2002) Abiotic and biotic factors and their interactions as causes of oak decline in Central Europe. For Path 32:277–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuzet A, Perrier A, Leuning R (2003) A coupled model of stomatal conductance, photosynthesis and transpiration. Plant Cell Environ 26:1097–1116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyree MT (2003) Hydraulic limits on tree performance: transpiration, carbon gain and growth of trees. Trees 17:95–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyree MT, Cochard H (1996) Summer and winter embolism in oak: impact on water relations. Ann Sci For 53:173–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Vivin P, Aussenac G, Lévy G (1993) Differences in drought resistance among 3 deciduous oak species grown in large boxes. Ann Sci For 50:221–233

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

T. Gieger thanks the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt for funding part of this study by a PhD grant.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Ecology, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Institute of Plant Sciences, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073, Göttingen, Germany

    Thomas Gieger & Frank M. Thomas

Authors
  1. Thomas Gieger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Frank M. Thomas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frank M. Thomas.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gieger, T., Thomas, F.M. Differential response of two Central-European oak species to single and combined stress factors. Trees 19, 607–618 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-005-0424-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-005-0424-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation