Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Altered light conditions following thinning affect xylem structure and potential hydraulic conductivity of Norway spruce shoots

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

Abstract

Trees must respond to many environmental factors during their development, and light is one of the main stimuli regulating tree growth. Thinning of forest stands by selective tree removal is a common tool in forest management that increases light intensity. However, morphological and anatomical adaptations of individual shoots to the new environmental conditions created by thinning are still poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated shoot morphology (shoot length, needle number, projected leaf area) and anatomy (tracheid lumen area, tracheid number, tracheid dimensions, xylem area, potential hydraulic conductivity) in three Norway spruce (Picea abies/L./Karst.) families exposed to different thinning regimes. We compared shoot characteristics of upper-canopy (i.e. sun-exposed) and lower-canopy (i.e. shaded) current-year shoots in a control plot and a plot thinned to 50 % stand density the previous year. One tree per family was chosen in each treatment, and five shoots were taken per canopy position. We found that upper-canopy shoots in both plots had higher values than lower-canopy shoots for all studied parameters, except lumen roundness and tracheid frequency (i.e. tracheid number per xylem area). Thinning had little effect on shoot morphology and anatomy 1 year after thinning, except for small but significant changes in tracheid dimensions. Needles were more sensitive to altered light conditions, as projected leaf area of shoot, needle number and leaf hydraulic conductivity changed after thinning. Differences between upper- and lower-canopy shoots did not seem to be influenced by thinning and were almost the same in both plots. Our results suggest that lower-canopy shoots require several years to modify their morphology and anatomy to new light conditions following thinning. The slow light adaptation of the lower canopy may be of practical importance in forest management: thinned stands may be predisposed to drought stress because newly exposed shoots experience increased illumination and transpiration after thinning.

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

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Berthier S, Kokutse AD, Stokes A, Fourcaud T (2001) Irregular heartwood formation in maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait): consequences for biomechanical and hydraulic tree functioning. Ann Bot 87:19–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brodribb TJ, Holbrook NM, Edwards EJ, Gutierrez MV (2003) Relations between stomatal closure, leaf turgor and xylem vulnerability in eight tropical dry forest trees. Plant Cell Environ 26:443–500

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brunner A (1998) A light model for spatially explicit forest stand models. For Ecol Manag 107:19–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell MM, Meister HP, Tenhunen JD, Lange OL (1986) Canopy structure, light microclimate and leaf gas exchange of Quercus coccifera L. in a Portuguese macchia: measurements in different canopy layers and simulations with a canopy model. Trees 1:25–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chabot BF, Hicks DJ (1982) The ecology of leaf life spans. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 13:229–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chazdon RL, Williams K, Field CB (1988) Interactions between crown structure and light environment in five rain forest Piper species. Am J Bot 75:1459–1471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cochard H, Peiffer M, Le Gall K, Granier A (1997) Developmental control of xylem hydraulic resistances and vulnerability to embolism in Fraxinus excelsior L. Impacts on water relations. J Exp Bot 48:655–663

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cruiziat P, Cochard H, Améglio T (2002) Hydraulic architecture of trees: main concepts and results. Ann For Sci 59:723–752

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domec JC, Warren JM, Meinzer FM, Lachhenbruch B (2009) Safety factors for xylem failure by implosion and air-seeding within roots, trunks and branches of young and old conifer trees. IAWA J 30:100–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gebauer R, Volařík D, Martinková M (2011a) Impact of soil pressure and compaction on tracheids in Norway spruce seedlings. New For 41:75–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gebauer R, Volařík D, Urban J, Børja I, Nagy NE, Eldhuset TD, Krokene P (2011b) Effect of thinning on anatomical adaptations of Norway spruce needles. Tree Physiol 31:1103–1113

  • Gebauer R, Volařík D, Urban J, Børja I, Nagy NE, Eldhuset TD, Krokene P (2012) Effects of different light conditions on the xylem structure of Norway spruce needles. Trees 26:1079–1089

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grassi G, Giannini R (2005) Influence of light and competition on crown and shoot morphological parameters of Norway spruce and silver fir saplings. Ann For Sci 62:269–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gryc V, Hacura J, Vavrčík H, Urban J, Gebauer R (2012) Monitoring of xylem formation in Picea abies under drought stress influence. Dendrobiology 67:15–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Hacke UG, Sperry JS (2001) Functional and ecological xylem anatomy. Plant Ecol Evol Syst 4:97–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrington CA, Reukema DL (1983) Initial shock and long-term stand development following thinning in a Douglas-fir plantation. For Sci 29:33–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Hubbard RM, Bond BJ, Senock RS, Ryan MG (2002) Effects of branch height on leaf gas exchange, branch hydraulic conductance and branch sap flux in open-grown ponderosa pine. Tree Physiol 22:575–581

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson DM, Woodruff DR, McCulloh KA, Meinzer FC (2009) Leaf hydraulic conductance, measured in situ, declines and recovers daily: leaf hydraulics, water potential and stomatal conductance in four temperate and three tropical tree species. Tree Physiol 29:879–887

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kneeshaw D, Bergeron Y, De Grandpre L (1998) Early response of Abies balsamea seedlings to artificially created openings. J Veg Sci 9:543–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kneeshaw DD, Williams H, Nikinmaa E, Messier C (2002) Patterns of above- and below-ground response of understory conifer release 6 years after partial cutting. Can J For Res 32:255–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kupper P, Sellin A, Tenhunen J, Schmidt M, Rahi M (2006) Effect of branch position on water relations and gas exchange of European larch trees in an alpine community. Trees 20:265–272

    Google Scholar 

  • Larcher W (2003) Physiological plant ecology: ecophysiology and stress physiology of functional groups. Springer, Berlin, p 513

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lhotáková Z, Albrechtová J, Malenovský Z, Rock BN, Polák T, Cudlín P (2007) Does the azimuth orientation of Norway spruce (Picea abies/L./Karst.) branches within sunlit crown part influence the heterogeneity of biochemical, structural and spectral characteristics of needles? Environ Exp Bot 59:283–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lintunen A, Kalliokoski T (2010) The effect of tree architecture on conduit diameter and frequency from small distal roots to branch tips in Betula pendula, Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris. Tree Physiol 30:1433–1447

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martre P, Durand JL, Cochard H (2000) Changes in axial hydraulic conductivity along elongating leaf blades in relation to xylem maturation in tall feste. New Phytol 146:235–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer S, Wolfschwenger M, Bauer H (2002) Winter-drought induced embolism in Norway spruce (Picea abies) at the Alpine timberline. Physiol Plant 115:74–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCulloh K, Sperry JS (2005) Patterns in hydraulic architecture and their implications for transport efficiency. Tree Physiol 25:257–267

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCulloh KA, Johnson DM, Meinzer FC, Lachenbruch B (2011) An annual pattern of native embolism in upper branches of four tall conifer species. Am J Bot 98:1007–1015

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Messier C, Nikinmaa E (2000) Effects of light availability and sapling size on the growth, biomass allocation and crown morphology of understory sugar maple, yellow birch and American beech. Ecoscience 7:345–356

    Google Scholar 

  • Metslaid M, Jõgiste K, Nikinmaa E, Moser WK, Porcar-Castell A (2007) Tree variables related to growth response and acclimation of advance regeneration of Norway spruce and other coniferous species after release. For Ecol Manag 250:56–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murtaugh PA (2007) Simplicity and complexity in ecological data analysis. Ecology 88:56–62

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Niinemets Ü (1998) Adjustment of foliage structure and function to a canopy light gradient in two co-existing deciduous trees. Variability in leaf inclination angles in relation to petiole morphology. Trees 12:446–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niinemets Ü, Kull O (1995) Effects of light availability and tree size on the architecture of assimilative surface in the canopy of Picea abies: variation in needle morphology. Tree Physiol 15:307–315

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Niinemets Ü, Lukjanova A, Turnbull MH, Sparrow AD (2007) Plasticity in mesophyll volume fraction modulates light-acclimation in needle photosynthesis in two pines. Tree Physiol 27:1137–1151

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nobel PS (2005) Physicochemical and environmental plant physiology. Elsevier Academic Press, USA, pp 446–454

    Google Scholar 

  • Nobel PS, Zaragoza LJ, Smith WK (1975) Relation between mesophyll surface area, photosynthetic rate, and illumination level during development for leaves of Plectranthus parviflorus Henckel. Plant Physiol 55:1067–1070

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pothier D, Margolis A (1991) Analysis of growth and light interception of balsam fir and white birch saplings following precommercial thinning. Ann Sci For 48:123–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prasad BK (1986) Staining technique in botany. International Book Distributors, Dehra Dun, India, 108 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Protz CG, Silins U, Lieffers VJ (2000) Reduction in branch sapwood hydraulic permeability as a factor limiting survival of lower branches of lodgepole pine. Can J For Res 30:1088–1095

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Development Core Team (2010) R: a language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. http://www.R-project.org

  • Sack L, Holbrook NM (2006) Leaf hydraulics. Annu Rev Plant Biol 57:361–381

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sack L, Cowan PD, Jaikumar N, Holbrook NM (2003) The ‘hydrology’ of leaves: co-ordination of structure and function in temperate woody species. Plant Cell Environ 26:1343–1356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schultz HR, Matthews MA (1993) Xylem development and hydraulic conductance in sun and shade shoots of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.): evidence that low light uncouples water transport capacity from leaf area. Planta 190:393–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sellin A (1993) Resistance to water flow in xylem of Picea abies (L.) Karst. trees grown under contrasting light conditions. Trees 7:220–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sellin A (2001) Morphological and stomatal responses of Norway spruce foliage to irradiance within a canopy depending on shoot age. Environ Exp Bot 45:115–131

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma M, Smith M, Burkhart HE, Amateis RL (2006) Modeling the impact of thinning on height development of dominant and codominant loblolly pine trees. Ann For Sci 63:349–354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Staebler G (1954) Evidence of shock following thinning of young Douglas-fir. J For 54:339

    Google Scholar 

  • Stenberg P, Smolander H, Sprugel DG, Smolander S (1998) Shoot structure, light interception, and distribution of nitrogen in an Abies amabilis canopy. Tree Physiol 18:759–767

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stenberg P, Kangas T, Smolander H, Linder S (1999) Shoot structure, canopy openness and light interception in Norway spruce. Plant Cell Environ 22:1133–1142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taiz L, Zeiger E (2002) Plant Physiology, 3rd edn. Sinauer Associates Inc., Sunderland, MA, 672 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyree MT, Ewers FW (1991) The hydraulic architecture of trees and other woody plants. New Phytol 119:345–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyree MT, Zimmermann MH (2002) Xylem structure and the ascent of sap. Springer, Berlin, p 283

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Urban S, Lieffers V, Macdonald S (1994) Release in radial growth in the trunk and structural roots of white spruce as measured by dendrochronology. Can J For Res 24:1550–1556

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Urban J, Gebauer R, Nadezhdina N, Čermák J (2012) Transpiration and stomatal conductance of mistletoe (Loranthus europaeus) and its host plant, downy oak (Quercus pubescens). Biologia 67:917–926

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Arnim AG, Deng XW (1996) Light control of seedling development. Annu Rev Plant Physiol Plant Mol Biol 47:215–243

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters MB, Reich PB (2000) Seed size, nitrogen supply, and growth rate affect tree seedling survival in deep shade. Ecology 81:1887–1901

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Youngblood AP (1991) Radial growth after a shelterwood seed cut in a mature stand of white spruce in interior Alaska. Can J For Res 21:410–413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmermann MH (1978) Hydraulic architecture of some diffuse-porous trees. Can J Bot 56:2286–2295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zwieniecki MA, Melcher PJ, Holbrook MN (2001) Hydraulic properties of individual xylem vessels of Fraxinus american. J Exp Bot 52:257–264

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway EEA Financial Mechanism, the Norwegian Financial Mechanism (Grant No. A/CZ0046/2/0009), Mendel University (Grant IGA 12/2010 and 73/2013) and the Project “Indicators of Trees Vitality” (Reg. No. CZ.1.07/2.3.00/20.0265) co-financed by the European Social Fund and the Czech Republic. Authors are also grateful to Jaromíra Dreslerová, Darina Smerekovská and Alžběta Malotínová for laboratory work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Botany, Dendrology and Geobiocoenology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, 61300, Brno, Czech Republic

    Roman Gebauer, Daniel Volařík & Josef Urban

  2. Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, PO Box 115, 1431, Ås, Norway

    Isabella Børja, Nina Elisabeth Nagy, Toril Drabløs Eldhuset & Paal Krokene

Authors
  1. Roman Gebauer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Daniel Volařík
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Josef Urban
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Isabella Børja
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Nina Elisabeth Nagy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Toril Drabløs Eldhuset
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Paal Krokene
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roman Gebauer.

Additional information

Communicated by M. Meincken.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gebauer, R., Volařík, D., Urban, J. et al. Altered light conditions following thinning affect xylem structure and potential hydraulic conductivity of Norway spruce shoots. Eur J Forest Res 133, 111–120 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-013-0747-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-013-0747-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation