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Photosynthetic and wood anatomical responses of Tamarix africana Poiret to water level reduction after short-term fresh- and saline-water flooding

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Ecological Research

Abstract

In the Mediterranean basin, Tamarix spp. constitute important populations along rivers and sea coasts, and might be primarily subjected to water level fluctuations and salinization, as a consequence of global climate change. Here, we analyze leaf gas exchange and xylem anatomy during a water level decrease below the soil surface after short-term flooding with fresh- and saline-water (200 mM) in order to predict Tamarix africana Poiret responses under future environmental conditions. Fresh-water level reduction negatively affected stomatal conductance (−56.3 %), but only when water decreased to the lowest level (15 cm below the soil surface). No effects on assimilation rates and xylem vessel dimensions occurred. Under saline conditions, the rate of the water level decrease was lower compared to the non-saline treatment, as stomatal conductance was negatively affected by salinity (−59.5 %) and significantly declined over time. Moreover, decreases in mean xylem vessel area (−51.3 %), assimilation rates (−52.2 %) and stomatal conductance (−76.0 %) were also observed compared to the control, indicating both an osmotic stress and a toxic effect of NaCl on leaf gas exchange. These leaf responses were probably induced by greater belowground-root salt absorption and transport compared to previous flooding conditions, as confirmed by the increase in salt excretion (+473.2 %). The results emphasize the survival risk of Tamarix spp. to water level variation under both saline and non-saline conditions, and the need of management practices focused on the conservation of these populations.

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Acknowledgments

This research was part of the project “Harnessing the biodiversity of Mediterranean plants for mitigating the effects of climate change and desertification” coordinated by Prof. Riccardo Valentini and funded by the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Territory and Sea. We are grateful to the Laboratory of Microscopy of the Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems of the University of Tuscia. We would also like to thank Andrea Triani, Dr. Grazia Abbruzzese, Dr. Gabriele Guidolotti, Dr. Ettore D’Andrea, Dr. Victoria Dawalibi and Matilde Tamantini for their useful support and technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy

    Renée Abou Jaoudé, Giovanbattista de Dato & Paolo De Angelis

  2. Department of Sciences for Nature and Environmental Resources (DipNET), University of Sassari, Via Enrico De Nicola 1, 07100, Sassari, Italy

    Renée Abou Jaoudé

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  1. Renée Abou Jaoudé
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  2. Giovanbattista de Dato
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  3. Paolo De Angelis
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Correspondence to Renée Abou Jaoudé.

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Abou Jaoudé, R., de Dato, G. & De Angelis, P. Photosynthetic and wood anatomical responses of Tamarix africana Poiret to water level reduction after short-term fresh- and saline-water flooding. Ecol Res 27, 857–866 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-012-0963-3

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