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Comparative hydraulic architecture of tropical tree species representing a range of successional stages and wood density

  • Physiological ecology - Original Paper
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Abstract

Plant hydraulic architecture (PHA) has been linked to water transport sufficiency, photosynthetic rates, growth form and attendant carbon allocation. Despite its influence on traits central to conferring an overall competitive advantage in a given environment, few studies have examined whether key aspects of PHA are indicative of successional stage, especially within mature individuals. While it is well established that wood density (WD) tends to be lower in early versus late successional tree species, and that WD can influence other aspects of PHA, the interaction of WD, successional stage and the consequent implications for PHA have not been sufficiently explored. Here, we studied differences in PHA at the scales of wood anatomy to whole-tree hydraulic conductance in species in early versus late successional Panamanian tropical forests. Although the trunk WD was indistinguishable between the successional groups, the branch WD was lower in the early successional species. Across all species, WD correlated negatively with vessel diameter and positively with vessel packing density. The ratio of branch:trunk vessel diameter, branch sap flux and whole-tree leaf-specific conductance scaled negatively with branch WD across species. Pioneer species showed greater sap flux in branches than in trunks and a greater leaf-specific hydraulic conductance, suggesting that pioneer species can move greater quantities of water at a given tension gradient. In combination with the greater water storage capacitance associated with lower WD, these results suggest these pioneer species can save on the carbon expenditure needed to build safer xylem and instead allow more carbon to be allocated to rapid growth.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by National Science Foundation grants IBN 99-05012 to FCM, IBN 05-44470 to KAM, FCM, JSS and BL, and IBN 09-19871 to KAM, FCM and BL. The authors are grateful to Oris Acevado, Belkys Jimenez, and Melida Ruiz-Dick for logistical assistance on BCI; Mirna Samaniego, Edwin Andrade and José Herrera for canopy crane logistics and operation; and Paula Campanello, Genoveva Gatti, Lucas Cernusak, Tom Kursar, Mike Tobin, Jim Wheeler and Klaus Winter for field assistance or logistical support in Panama. KAM is also thankful to Bill Becker and Matt Peterson for assistance with the anatomical measurements in Oregon.

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Author notes

  1. Jean-Christophe Domec

    Present address: ENITA de Bordeaux, UMR TCEM, 1 cours du general de Gaulle, 33175, Gradignan Cedex, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Katherine A. McCulloh, Barbara Lachenbruch & Steven L. Voelker

  2. PNW Research Station, Forestry Sciences Laboratory, USDA Forest Service, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Frederick C. Meinzer & David R. Woodruff

  3. Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA

    John S. Sperry

  4. Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    Jean-Christophe Domec

  5. Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA

    Jean-Christophe Domec

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  1. Katherine A. McCulloh
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  2. Frederick C. Meinzer
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Correspondence to Katherine A. McCulloh.

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Communicated by Ram Oren.

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McCulloh, K.A., Meinzer, F.C., Sperry, J.S. et al. Comparative hydraulic architecture of tropical tree species representing a range of successional stages and wood density. Oecologia 167, 27–37 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-011-1973-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-011-1973-5

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