Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Northern Forest Trees Under Increasing Atmospheric Humidity

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Progress in Botany Vol. 80

Part of the book series: Progress in Botany ((BOTANY,volume 80))

Abstract

Several climate change scenarios predict increasing precipitation for northern latitudes and several other regions in the globe, leading to increase in atmospheric water vapour content [expressed as increased relative humidity (RH) or as decreased water vapour pressure deficit (VPD)] and environmental wetness. Plants are known to be sensitive to high humidity (low VPD) as indicated by changes in stomatal function, transpiration, mineral nutrient uptake, growth, development, sugar metabolism and leaf epicuticular wax composition in several species and studies. To understand the impact of increasing humidity (lower VPD) on forest ecosystems, a long-term and large-scale field experiment (FAHM, Free Air Humidity Manipulation) is conducted in Estonia with silver birch and hybrid aspen, representing widespread deciduous species in northern Europe. The experiment revealed that high humidity is an important climatic factor, causing reduction in growth rate of the aboveground parts, leaf biomass and area, bud size, sap flux and earlier bud break and delayed leaf fall. In the belowground parts, root biomass (fine-root biomass in particular) was increased although the root compartment was exposed to anaerobic conditions, increased soil pH and soil water potential, with lowered soil respiration and altered microbial and fungal communities. In the leaves, high humidity shifted the metabolism towards nonstructural carbohydrates, antioxidants and phenolic compounds, while nutrient (N and P) content, photosynthesis, dark respiration, hydraulic conductance and the density of glandular trichomes were reduced. The change in the chemical composition of the surface wax layer resulted in lower hydrophobicity, exposing the leaves for fungal pathogen attacks. In the stem, N and P content in wood and number of living parenchyma cells were increased, while the stem wood density was reduced and wood chemistry altered. Reduction in the growth rates under high humidity was more pronounced in hybrid aspen than in silver birch. Birch showed more efficient adjustment of leaf and root morphology, hydraulic architecture, primary carbon and nitrogen metabolism and leaf surface properties mitigating the negative impacts of high humidity. At the ecosystem level, high humidity altered soil processes (moisture content, microbiota, nitrification), with potential to affect competition and species composition. A complementary laboratory study with birch demonstrated that additional N supply can counteract the effects of low VPD on cellular metabolism and leaf surface wax quality.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adams P, Holder R (1992) Effects of humidity, Ca and salinity on the accumulation of dry matter and Ca by the leaves and fruit of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). J. Hortic Sci 67:137–142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ainsworth EA, Long SP (2005) What have we learned from 15 years of free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE)? A meta-analytic review of the responses of photosynthesis, canopy properties and plant production to rising CO2. New Phytol 165(2):351–372

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aliniaeifard S, van Meeteren U (2013) Can prolonged exposure to low VPD disturb the ABA signalling in stomatal guard cells? J Exp Bot 64:3551–3566

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • An P, Inanaga S, Lux A, Li XJ, Ali MEK, Matsui T, Sugimoto Y (2002) Effects of salinity and relative humidity on two melon cultivars differing to salt tolerance. Biol Plant 45:409–415

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong M, Kirkby E (1979) The influence of humidity on the mineral composition of tomato plants with special reference to calcium distribution. Plant Soil 52:427–435

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arve LE, Kruse OMO, Tanino KK, Olsen JE, Futsæther C, Torre S (2017) Daily changes in VPD during leaf development in high air humidity increase the stomatal responsiveness to darkness and dry air. J Plant Physiol 211:63–69

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bakker JC (1991) Analysis of humidity effects on growth and production of glasshouse fruit vegetables. Dissertation, Landbouwuniversiteit, Wageningen

    Google Scholar 

  • Ball M, Cochrane M, Rawson H (1997) Growth and water use of the mangroves Rhizophora apiculata and R. stylosa in response to salinity and humidity under ambient and elevated concentrations of atmospheric CO2. Plant Cell Environ 20:1158–1166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barber SA (1995) Soil nutrient bioavailability: a mechanistic approach. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Boé J, Terray L (2014) Land–sea contrast, soil-atmosphere and cloud-temperature interactions: interplays and roles in future summer European climate change. Clim Dyn 42:683–699

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carins Murphy MR, Jordan GJ, Brodribb TJ (2014) Acclimation to humidity modifies the link between leaf size and the density of veins and stomata. Plant Cell Environ 37:124–131

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson RW (1979) Reduction in the photosynthetic rate of Acer, Quercus and Fraxinus species caused by sulphur dioxide and ozone. Environ Pollut 18(2):159–170

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cernusak LA, Winter K, Turner BL (2011) Transpiration modulates phosphorus acquisition in tropical tree seedlings. Tree Phys 31:878–885

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Claverie E, Schoppach R, Sadok W (2016) Nighttime evaporative demand induces plasticity in leaf and root hydraulic traits. Physiol Plant 158(4):402–413

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dai A (2006) Recent climatology, variability, and trends in global surface humidity. J Clim 19:3589–3606

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai Z, Edwards GE, Ku MS (1992) Control of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in Ricinus communis L. (castor bean) by leaf to air vapour pressure deficit. Plant Physiol 99:1426–1434

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dessler AE, Schoeberl MR, Wang T, Davis SM, Rosenlof KH (2013) Stratospheric water vapour feedback. Proc Natl Acad Sci 110:18087–18091

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Devi MJ, Taliercio EW, Sinclair TR (2015a) Leaf expansion of soybean subjected to high and low atmospheric vapour pressure deficits. J Exp Bot 66:1845–1850

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Devi MJ, Sinclair TR, Taliercio E (2015b) Comparisons of the effects of elevated vapour pressure deficit on gene expression in leaves among two fast-wilting and a slow-wilting soybean. PLoS One 10:e0139134

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eamus D, Boulain N, Cleverly J, Breshears DD (2013) Global change-type drought-induced tree mortality: vapour pressure deficit is more important than temperature per se in causing decline in tree health. Ecol Evol 3(8):2711–2729

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fanourakis D, Heuvelink E, Carvalho SM (2013) A comprehensive analysis of the physiological and anatomical components involved in higher water loss rates after leaf development at high humidity. J Plant Physiol 170:890–898

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fanourakis D, Bouranis D, Giday H, Carvalho DR, Nejad AR, Ottosen CO (2016) Improving stomatal functioning at elevated growth air humidity: a review. J Plant Physiol 207:51–60

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fatichi S, Molnar P, Mastrotheodoros T, Burlando P (2015) Diurnal and seasonal changes in near-surface humidity in a complex orography. J Geophys Res Atmos 120:2358–2374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu G, Shen ZX (2016) Environmental humidity regulates effects of experimental warming on vegetation index and biomass production in an alpine meadow of the Northern Tibet. PLoS One 11(10):e0165643

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Georgii E, Jin M, Zhao J et al (2017) Relationships between drought, heat and air humidity responses revealed by transcriptome-metabolome co-analysis. BMC Plant Biol 17(1):120

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Godbold D, Tullus A, Kupper P, Sõber J, Ostonen I, Godbold JA, Lukac M, Ahmed IU, Smith AR (2014) Elevated atmospheric CO2 and humidity delay leaf fall in Betula pendula, but not in Alnus glutinosa or Populus tremula × tremuloides. Ann For Sci 71:831–842

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen R, Mander Ü, Soosaar K, Maddison M, Lõhmus K, Kupper P, Kanal A, Sõber J (2013) Greenhouse gas fluxes in an open air humidity manipulation experiment. Landsc Ecol 28:637–649

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holder R, Cockshull K (1990) Effects of humidity on the growth and yield of glasshouse tomatoes. J Hortic Sci 65:31–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hölscher D, Koch O, Korn S, Leuschner C (2005) Sap flux of five co-occurring tree species in a temperate broad-leaved forest during seasonal soil drought. Trees 19(6):628–637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hovenden MJ, Vander Schoor JK, Osanai Y (2012) Relative humidity has dramatic impacts on leaf morphology but little effect on stomatal index or density in Nothofagus cunninghamii (Nothofagaceae). Aust J Bot 60:700–706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2013) Climate change 2013: the physical science basis. In: Stocker TF, Qin D, Plattner G-K, Tignor M, Allen SK, Boschung J, Nauels A, Xia Y, Bex V, Midgley PM (eds) Contribution of Working Group I to the fifth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishibashi M, Terashima I (1995) Effects of continuous leaf wetness on photosynthesis: adverse aspects of rainfall. Plant Cell Environ 18:431–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacob D, Petersen J, Eggert B et al (2014) EURO-CORDEX: new high-resolution climate change projections for European impact research. Reg Environ Chang 14(2):563–578

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jasińska AK, Alber M, Tullus A, Rahi M, Sellin A (2015) Impact of elevated atmospheric humidity on anatomical and hydraulic traits of xylem in hybrid aspen. Funct Plant Biol 42(6):565–578

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaldenhoff R, Grote K, Zhu J, Zimmermann U (1998) Significance of plasmalemma aquaporins for water transport in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant J 14:121–128

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kellomäki S, Wang KY (2001) Growth and resource use of birch seedlings under elevated carbon dioxide and temperature. Ann Bot 87(5):669–682

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kholová J, Zindy P, Malayee S et al (2016) Component traits of plant water use are modulated by vapour pressure deficit in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) Funct Plant Biol 43(5):423–437

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koch K, Hartmann KD, Schreiber L, Barthlott W, Neinhuis C (2006) Influences of air humidity during the cultivation of plants on wax chemical composition, morphology and leaf surface wettability. Environ Exp Bot 56:1–9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kukk M, Räim O, Tulva I, Sõber J, Lõhmus K, Sõber A (2015) Elevated air humidity modulates bud size and the frequency of bud break in fast-growing deciduous trees: silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) and hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L. × P. tremuloides Michx.) Trees 29(5):1381–1393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kukumägi M, Ostonen I, Kupper P et al (2014) The effects of elevated atmospheric humidity on soil respiration components in a young silver birch forest. Agric For Meteorol 194:167–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kupper P, Sõber J, Sellin A et al (2011) An experimental facility for free air humidity manipulation (FAHM) can alter water flux through deciduous tree canopy. Environ Exp Bot 72(3):432–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kupper P, Rohula G, Inno L, Ostonen I, Sellin A, Sõber A (2017) Impact of high daytime air humidity on nutrient uptake and night-time water flux in silver birch, a boreal forest tree species. Reg Environ Chang 17:2149–2157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laur J, Hacke UG (2013) Transpirational demand affects aquaporin expression in poplar roots. J Exp Bot 64:2283–2293

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Leakey AD, Ainsworth EA, Bernacchi CJ, Rogers A, Long SP, Ort DR (2009) Elevated CO2 effects on plant carbon, nitrogen, and water relations: six important lessons from FACE. J Exp Bot 60(10):2859–2876

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lendzion J, Leuschner C (2008) Growth of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) saplings is limited by elevated atmospheric vapour pressure deficits. For Ecol Manag 256:648–655

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leuschner C (2002) Air humidity as an ecological factor for woodland herbs: leaf water status, nutrient uptake, leaf anatomy, and productivity of eight species grown at low or high VPD levels. Flora 197:262–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levin M, Resnick N, Rosianskey Y, Kolotilin I, Wininger S, Lemcoff JH, Cohen S, Galili G, Koltai H, Kapulnik Y (2009) Transcriptional profiling of Arabidopsis thaliana plants’ response to low relative humidity suggests a shoot–root communication. Plant Sci 177:450–459

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leyva R, Constán-Aguilar C, Sánchez-Rodríguez E, Romero-Gámez M, Soriano T (2015) Cooling systems in screenhouses: effect on microclimate, productivity and plant response in a tomato crop. Biosyst Eng 129:100–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Li X (2014) Response of stomatal conductance of two tree species to vapour pressure deficit in three climate zones. J Arid Land 6:771–781

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lihavainen J, Keinänen M, Keski-Saari S, Kontunen-Soppela S, Sõber A, Oksanen E (2016a) Artificially decreased vapour pressure deficit in field conditions modifies foliar metabolite profiles in birch and aspen. J Exp Bot 67(14):4367–4378

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lihavainen J, Ahonen V, Keski-Saari S, Kontunen-Soppela S, Oksanen E, Keinänen M (2016b) Low vapour pressure deficit affects nitrogen nutrition and foliar metabolites in silver birch. J Exp Bot 67(14):4353–4365

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lihavainen J, Ahonen V, Keski-Saari S, Sõber A, Oksanen E, Keinänen M (2017) Low vapour pressure deficit reduces glandular trichome density and modifies the chemical composition of cuticular waxes in silver birch leaves. Tree Physiol 37:1166–1181

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marchin RM, Broadhead AA, Bostic LE, Dunn RR, Hoffmann WA (2016) Stomatal acclimation to vapour pressure deficit doubles transpiration of small tree seedlings with warming. Plant Cell Environ 39(10):2221–2234

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald EP, Erickson JE, Kruger EL (2002) Research note: can decreased transpiration limit plant nitrogen acquisition in elevated CO2? Funct Plant Biol 29:1115–1120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medina V, Teran JCBM, Gepts P, Gilbert ME (2017) Low stomatal sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit in irrigated common, lima and tepary beans. Field Crop Res 206:128–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meinzer FC (2003) Functional convergence in plant responses to the environment. Oecologia 134(1):1–11

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Monteith J (1995) Accommodation between transpiring vegetation and the convective boundary layer. J Hydrol 166:251–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mortley D, Bonsi C, Loretan P, Hill W, Morris C (2000) High relative humidity increases yield, harvest index, flowering, and gynophore growth of hydroponically grown peanut plants. Hortic Sci 35:46–48

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Niglas A, Kupper P, Tullus A, Sellin A (2014) Responses of sap flow, leaf gas exchange and growth of hybrid aspen to elevated atmospheric humidity under field conditions. AoB Plants 6:plu021

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Niglas A, Alber M, Suur K, Jasińska AK, Kupper P, Sellin A (2015) Does increased air humidity affect stomatal morphology and functioning in hybrid aspen? Botany 93:243–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niglas A, Papp K, Sękiewicz M, Sellin A (2017) Short-term effects of light quality on leaf gas exchange and hydraulic properties of silver birch (Betula pendula). Tree Phys 37:1218–1228

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Norby RJ, Kozlowski TT (1982) The role of stomata in sensitivity of Betula papyrifera seedlings to SO2 at different humidities. Oecologia 53(1):34–39

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Novák V, Vidovič J (2003) Transpiration and nutrient uptake dynamics in maize (Zea mays L.) Ecol Model 166:99–107

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Osonubi O, Davies W (1980) The influence of plant water stress on stomatal control of gas exchange at different levels of atmospheric humidity. Oecologia 46:1–6

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parts K, Tedersoo L, Lõhmus K, Kupper P, Rosenvald K, Sõber A, Ostonen I (2013) Increased air humidity and understory composition shape short root traits and the colonizing ectomycorrhizal fungal community in silver birch stands. For Ecol Manag 310:720–728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Possen BJ, Oksanen E, Rousi M et al (2011) Adaptability of birch (Betula pendula Roth) and aspen (Populus tremula L.) genotypes to different soil moisture conditions. For Ecol Manag 262(8):1387–1399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigues CR, Silveira JA, Viégas RA, Moura RM, Aragão RM, Silva EN (2016) Combined effects of high relative humidity and K+ supply mitigates damage caused by salt stress on growth, photosynthesis and ion homeostasis in J. curcas plants. Agric Water Manag 163:255–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rohula G, Tulva I, Tullus A, Sõber A, Kupper P (2017) Endogenous regulation of night-time water relations in hybrid aspen grown at ambient and elevated air humidity. Reg Environ Chang 17:2169–2178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenvald K, Tullus A, Ostonen I, Uri V, Kupper P, Aosaar J, Varik M, Sõber J, Niglas A, Hansen R (2014) The effect of elevated air humidity on young silver birch and hybrid aspen biomass allocation and accumulation–Acclimation mechanisms and capacity. For Ecol Manag 330:252–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan AC, Dodd IC, Rothwell SA, Jones R, Tardieu F, Draye X, Davies WJ (2016) Gravimetric phenotyping of whole plant transpiration responses to atmospheric vapour pressure deficit identifies genotypic variation in water use efficiency. Plant Sci 251:101–109

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salojärvi J, Smolander OP, Nieminen K et al (2017) Genome sequencing and population genomic analyses provide insights into the adaptive landscape of silver birch. Nat Genet 49(6):904–912

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saxe H, Cannell MG, Johnsen Ø, Ryan MG, Vourlitis G (2001) Tree and forest functioning in response to global warming. New Phytol 149(3):369–399

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sellin A, Lubenets K (2010) Variation of transpiration within a canopy of silver birch: effect of canopy position and daily versus nightly water loss. Ecohydrology 3:467–477

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sellin A, Eensalu E, Niglas A (2010) Is distribution of hydraulic constraints within tree crowns reflected in photosynthetic water-use efficiency? An example of Betula pendula. Ecol Res 25:173–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sellin A, Tullus A, Niglas A, Õunapuu E, Karusion A, Lõhmus K (2013) Humidity-driven changes in growth rate, photosynthetic capacity, hydraulic properties and other functional traits in silver birch (Betula pendula). Ecol Res 28:523–535

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sellin A, Rosenvald K, Õunapuu-Pikas E, Tullus A, Ostonen I, Lõhmus K (2015) Elevated air humidity affects hydraulic traits and tree size but not biomass allocation in young silver birches (Betula pendula). Front Plant Sci 6:860

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sellin A, Alber M, Keinänen M et al (2017a) Growth of northern deciduous trees under increasing atmospheric humidity: possible mechanisms behind the growth retardation. Reg Environ Chang 17:2135–2148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sellin A, Alber M, Kupper P (2017b) Increasing air humidity influences hydraulic efficiency but not functional vulnerability of xylem in hybrid aspen. J Plant Physiol 219:28–36

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shibuya T, Itagaki K, Ueyama S, Hirai N, Endo R (2015) Atmospheric Humidity influences oviposition rate of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) through morphological responses of host Cucumis sativus leaves. J Econ Entomol 109(1):255–258

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shibuya T, Kano K, Endo R, Kitaya Y (2017) Effects of the interaction between vapour-pressure deficit and salinity on growth and photosynthesis of Cucumis sativus seedlings under different CO2 concentrations. Photosynthetica. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-017-0746-8

  • Shimazaki K, Doi M, Assmann SM, Kinoshita T (2007) Light regulation of stomatal movement. Annu Rev Plant Biol 58:219–247

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shirke PA, Pathre UV (2004) Influence of leaf-to-air vapour pressure deficit (VPD) on the biochemistry and physiology of photosynthesis in Prosopis juliflora. J Exp Bot 55:2111–2120

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simmons A, Willett K, Jones P, Thorne P, Dee D (2010) Low-frequency variations in surface atmospheric humidity, temperature, and precipitation: inferences from reanalyses and monthly gridded observational data sets. J Geophys Res Atmos 115:D01110

    Google Scholar 

  • Staub JE, Navazio JP (1993) Temperature and humidity affect pillowy fruit disorder in cucumber. Hortic Sci 28:822–823

    Google Scholar 

  • Street NR, Skogstrom O, Sjodin A et al (2006) The genetics and genomics of the drought response in Populus. Plant J 48:321–341

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sturrock R, Frankel S, Brown A, Hennon P, Kliejunas J, Lewis K, Worrall J, Woods A (2011) Climate change and forest diseases. Plant Pathol 60:133–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki M, Umeda H, Matsuo S, Kawasaki Y, Ahn D, Hamamoto H, Iwasaki Y (2015) Effects of relative humidity and nutrient supply on growth and nutrient uptake in greenhouse tomato production. Sci Hortic 187:44–49

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thioune EH, McCarthy J, Gallagher T, Osborne B (2017) A humidity shock leads to rapid, temperature dependent changes in coffee leaf physiology and gene expression. Tree Phys 37(3):367–379

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tinker BP, Nye PH (2001) Solute movement in rhizosphere. Oxford University Press, Oxford, p 444

    Google Scholar 

  • Torga R, Mander Ü, Soosaar K et al (2017) Weather extremes and tree species shape soil greenhouse gas fluxes in an experimental fast-growing deciduous forest of air humidity manipulation. Ecol Eng 106:369–377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torre S, Fjeld T, Gislerød HR, Moe R (2003) Leaf anatomy and stomatal morphology of greenhouse roses grown at moderate or high air humidity. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 128:598–602

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuchman NC, Wahtera KA, Wetzel RG, Teeri JA (2003) Elevated atmospheric CO2 alters leaf litter quality for stream ecosystems: an in situ leaf decomposition study. Hydrobiologia 495:203–211

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tullus A, Kupper P, Sellin A, Parts L, Sõber J, Tullus T, Lõhmus K, Sõber A, Tullus H (2012) Climate change at northern latitudes: rising atmospheric humidity decreases transpiration, N-uptake and growth rate of hybrid aspen. PLoS One 7:e42648

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Tullus A, Sellin A, Kupper P et al (2014) Increasing air humidity – a climate trend predicted for northern latitudes – alters the chemical composition of stemwood in silver birch and hybrid aspen. Silva Fennica 48(4):1107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tullus A, Kupper P, Kaasik A et al (2017) The competitive status of trees determines their responsiveness to increasing atmospheric humidity – a climate trend predicted for northern latitudes. Glob Chang Biol 23(5):1961–1974

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Valkama E, Salminen JP, Koricheva J, Pihlaja K (2004) Changes in leaf trichomes and epicuticular flavonoids during leaf development in three birch taxa. Ann Bot 94(2):233–242

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler R, Tibbitts T, Fitzpatrick A (1989) Potato growth in response to relative humidity. Hortic Sci 24:482–484

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Willett KM, Gillett NP, Jones PD, Thorne PW (2007) Attribution of observed surface humidity changes to human influence. Nature 449:710–712

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Worrell R (1995) European aspen (Populus tremula L.) – a review with particular reference to Scotland I. Distribution, ecology and genetic variation. Forestry 68:93–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang P, Zhang J, Chen M (2017a) Economic impacts of climate change on agriculture: the importance of additional climatic variables other than temperature and precipitation. J Environ Econ Manag 83:8–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang D, Du Q, Zhang Z, Jiao X, Song X, Li J (2017b) Vapour pressure deficit control in relation to water transport and water productivity in greenhouse tomato production during summer. Sci Rep 7:srep43461

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Jaak Sõber and Priit Kupper for the technical constructions, coordination and management of the FAHM experiment.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland

    Elina Oksanen, Jenna Lihavainen, Markku Keinänen, Sarita Keski-Saari & Sari Kontunen-Soppela

  2. Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia

    Arne Sellin & Anu Sõber

Authors
  1. Elina Oksanen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jenna Lihavainen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Markku Keinänen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sarita Keski-Saari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sari Kontunen-Soppela
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Arne Sellin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Anu Sõber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elina Oksanen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain

    Francisco M. Cánovas

  2. Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany

    Ulrich Lüttge

  3. Ecophysiology of Plants, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Bayern, Germany

    Rainer Matyssek

  4. Chair for Forest Growth and Yield Science, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan , Technical University of Munich, Freising, Bayern, Germany

    Hans Pretzsch

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Oksanen, E. et al. (2018). Northern Forest Trees Under Increasing Atmospheric Humidity. In: Cánovas, F., Lüttge, U., Matyssek, R., Pretzsch, H. (eds) Progress in Botany Vol. 80. Progress in Botany, vol 80. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/124_2017_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation