High and diverse plastic responses to water availability in four desert woody species of South America

Biruk, Lucia Nadia; Fernández, María Elena; González, Carina Verónica; Guevara, Aranzazú; Kojima, Elisa Akemi Rovida; Giordano, Carla Valeria

doi:10.1007/s00468-022-02335-8

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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Section: Variation In Precipitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In communities with phreatophytes, the response of roots should be assessed to predict the impact of higher MAP and SWC on desert ecosystems. Four coexisting desert tree species displayed varying responses in dry mass allocation when SWC increased (Biruk et al ., 2022). Under higher SWC, two species including a phreatophyte and a deep‐rooted plant increased allocation to shoots, while a shallow‐rooted species allocated more to roots, utilizing the additional water for enhanced soil exploration.…”

Section: Impacts Of Indirect Effects Of Climate Change: Plant Winners...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Plant root mechanisms and their effects on carbon and nutrient accumulation in desert ecosystems under changes in land use and climate

Tariq,

Graciano,

Sardans

et al. 2024

New Phytologist

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SummaryDeserts represent key carbon reservoirs, yet as these systems are threatened this has implications for biodiversity and climate change. This review focuses on how these changes affect desert ecosystems, particularly plant root systems and their impact on carbon and mineral nutrient stocks. Desert plants have diverse root architectures shaped by water acquisition strategies, affecting plant biomass and overall carbon and nutrient stocks. Climate change can disrupt desert plant communities, with droughts impacting both shallow and deep‐rooted plants as groundwater levels fluctuate. Vegetation management practices, like grazing, significantly influence plant communities, soil composition, root microorganisms, biomass, and nutrient stocks. Shallow‐rooted plants are particularly susceptible to climate change and human interference. To safeguard desert ecosystems, understanding root architecture and deep soil layers is crucial. Implementing strategic management practices such as reducing grazing pressure, maintaining moderate harvesting levels, and adopting moderate fertilization can help preserve plant–soil systems. Employing socio‐ecological approaches for community restoration enhances carbon and nutrient retention, limits desert expansion, and reduces CO2 emissions. This review underscores the importance of investigating belowground plant processes and their role in shaping desert landscapes, emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of desert ecosystems.

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Section: Variation In Precipitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Impacts Of Indirect Effects Of Climate Change: Plant Winners...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant root mechanisms and their effects on carbon and nutrient accumulation in desert ecosystems under changes in land use and climate

Tariq,

Graciano,

Sardans

et al. 2024

New Phytologist

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Effect of water stress and UV-B on the production of outer stem waxes of Bulnesia retama seedlings from different eco-regions: alternatives for non-timber resources in drylands

Peralta,

Roig,

Medero

et al. 2024

Trees

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CAM photosynthesis in Bulnesia retama (Zygophyllaceae), a non-succulent desert shrub from South America

Mok,

Leung,

Searles

et al. 2023

Annals of Botany

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Background and Aims Bulnesia retama is a drought deciduous, xerophytic shrub from arid landscapes of South America. In a survey of carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) in specimens from the field, B. retama exhibited less negative values indicative of CAM or C4 photosynthesis. Here, we investigate whether B. retama is a C4 or CAM plant. Methods Gas exchange responses to intercellular CO2, diurnal gas exchange profiles, δ13C, and dawn versus afternoon titratable acidity were measured on leaves and stems of watered and droughted B. retama plants. Leaf and stem cross sections were imaged to determine if the tissues exhibited succulent CAM or C4 Kranz anatomy. Key Results Field-collected stems and fruits of B. retama exhibited δ13C between -16‰ and -19‰. Plants grown in a glasshouse from field-collected seeds had leaf δ13C values near -31‰ and stem δ13C values near -28‰. The CO2 response of photosynthesis showed leaves and stems used C3 photosynthesis during the day, while curvature in the nocturnal response of A in all stems, coupled and slightly positive rates of A at night, indicated modest CAM function. C4 photosynthesis was absent. Succulence was absent in all tissues although stems exhibited tight packing of the cortical chlorenchyma in a CAM-like manner. Tissue titratable acidity increased at night in droughted stems. Conclusions Bulnesia retama is a weak to modest C3+CAM plant. This is the first report of CAM in the Zygophyllaceae and the first showing non-succulent, xerophytic shrubs use CAM. CAM alone in B. retama was too limited to explain less negative δ13C in field-collected plants but combined with effects of low stomatal and mesophyll conductance could raise δ13C to observed values between -16‰ and -19‰. Modest CAM activity, particularly during severe drought, could enable B. retama to persist in arid habitats of South America.

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High and diverse plastic responses to water availability in four desert woody species of South America

Cited by 4 publications

References 52 publications

Plant root mechanisms and their effects on carbon and nutrient accumulation in desert ecosystems under changes in land use and climate

Plant root mechanisms and their effects on carbon and nutrient accumulation in desert ecosystems under changes in land use and climate

Effect of water stress and UV-B on the production of outer stem waxes of Bulnesia retama seedlings from different eco-regions: alternatives for non-timber resources in drylands

CAM photosynthesis in Bulnesia retama (Zygophyllaceae), a non-succulent desert shrub from South America

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