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Relationships between needle traits, needle age and site and stand parameters in Pinus pinaster

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Needle age class explains most of the variability in maritime pine leaf traits. Needle size and area are related to climate and foliar nutrients. Specific leaf area is highest in stands with high site index and nutrient concentrations.

Abstract

Needle size, leaf traits and site parameters were studied in 31 Pinus pinaster plots (93 trees) located in Galicia (NW Spain). All needles were classified according to age class, and foliar nutrients were analyzed for each tree and age class. Needle age significantly affected the needle length (NLength), needle width (NWidth), needle thickness (NThickness), leaf area (projected A p and total A t), specific leaf area (SLAp and SLAt), needle tissue density (N d), N per unit leaf area (NN), average dry weight (D w) and moisture content (M u). The age class effect was the most important factor for assessing the variability in leaf dimensions. A regression model developed to predict the NLength in age class 1 indicated the importance of climate and nutritional conditions. An important proportion of the variation (25.2 %) in NLength for age classes 1 and 2 can be predicted only with spring precipitation. The SLAp was positively affected by concentrations of foliar nutrients, particularly K (FK), and showed a rather high level of plasticity considering that maritime pine is a light demanding species. The SLAp in the stands under study was higher than that of provenances from drier areas. SLAp was higher in plots located at low elevations, with good site index and nutritional status of K and Mg (FMg). Boosted regression tree analysis showed that FN contributed most to explaining needle traits. FN concentration was negatively correlated with N d, SLAp and site index.

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Author contribution statement

C.E.F. participated in the acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of results and drafting of the manuscript. F.S.R. participated in the conception of the study and its critical revision. E.A.R. provided technical assistance on nutrient analysis and interpretation of results. R.R.S. supervised the whole study.

Acknowledgments

Funding for this research was received from the Xunta de Galicia (cofunded by ERDF). We thank Christine Francis for revising the English.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Sustainable Forest Management. Department of Vegetal Production, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain

    Cristina Eimil-Fraga & Roque Rodríguez-Soalleiro

  2. Subdirección General de Recursos Forestales, Xunta de Galicia, 15704, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    Federico Sánchez-Rodríguez

  3. Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain

    Esperanza Álvarez-Rodríguez

Authors
  1. Cristina Eimil-Fraga
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  2. Federico Sánchez-Rodríguez
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  3. Esperanza Álvarez-Rodríguez
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  4. Roque Rodríguez-Soalleiro
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cristina Eimil-Fraga.

Additional information

Communicated by L. Gratani.

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Eimil-Fraga, C., Sánchez-Rodríguez, F., Álvarez-Rodríguez, E. et al. Relationships between needle traits, needle age and site and stand parameters in Pinus pinaster . Trees 29, 1103–1113 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-015-1190-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-015-1190-7

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