Integration of vessel traits, wood density, and height in angiosperm shrubs and trees

Martínez‐Cabrera, Hugo I.; Schenk, H. Jochen; Cevallos-Ferriz, Sergio R.S.; Jones, Cynthia S.

doi:10.3732/ajb.1000335

Cited by 62 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…Higher specific gravity at the stem base could, in part, be explained by a lower vessel frequency and especially by smaller vessel diameters, as seen in the negative relationship between specific gravity and conduit diameter (Figure 7), a phenomenon which has also been reported in other studies (Fan et al, 2012;Martínez-Cabrera et al, 2011). As reported by Gartner (1995), the pattern of xylem density from the base to the top of stem depends mainly, but not always entirely, on the pattern found from pith to bark, essentially because the vertical profile reflects the simultaneous production of outer wood at the base, if a plant is old enough, and core wood at the top.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Moreover, vessel diameter may be related to the biomechanical requirements of tree support to accommodate the self-weight of stem and crown (Niklas, 1992). Under these circumstances, larger and more frequent vessels would negatively impact wood density (Hoadley, 2000;Fan et al, 2012;Martínez-Cabrera et al, 2011). Since density is a good indicator of mechanical properties (Glass & Zelinka, 2010;Kretschmann, 2010), higher values in the base would have a positive impact on the strength of the tree.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Some Properties of Astronium graveolens Wood Along the Stem

et al. 2016

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We investigated the axial variation of specific gravity, shear parallel to the grain and anatomical features of Astronium graveolens wood and related these properties to the anatomy along the stem. We felled five 20-year-old trees and cut discs from four different stem heights, including stem base, 1 meter, 2 meters and 3 meters, for a total of 20 discs, and studied wood samples near the bark and at the base of trunk. Axial variations found appear to provide a balance between mechanical strength of the wood at stem base by the higher density and higher shear by the increase in ray frequency that contributes to locking the vertical cells and growth rings, thus preventing the stem from easily breaking when bent. For hydraulic conductivity, vessels with smaller diameter and frequency at the stem base help prevent the occurrence of embolisms that would reduce water flow along the main stem.Keywords: hydraulic conductivity, strength of wood, guaritá, axial variation. Algumas Propriedades da Madeira de Astronium graveolens ao Longo do Caule RESUMODeterminamos as variações axiais da densidade aparente, resistência ao cisalhamento paralelo à grã e anatomia da madeira de Astronium graveolens, relacionando estas propriedades ao longo do fuste. Cortamos cinco árvores com 20 anos de idade e estudamos amostras próximas da casca na base do tronco, a um, dois e três metros de altura. As variações axiais encontradas no lenho de A. graveolens parecem propiciar um equilíbrio entre a resistência mecânica da madeira na base do fuste pela maior densidade e também pela maior resistência ao cisalhamento devido a maior frequência de raios que contribuem no travamento das células orientadas no sentido vertical evitando assim que o tronco quebre facilmente ao ser flexionado. Pensando na condutividade hidráulica, vasos com menor diâmetro e frequência na base do fuste podem garantir maior segurança ao diminuir a ocorrência de embolismos que poderiam prejudicar o fluxo de água ao longo do fuste.Palavras-chave: condutividade hidráulica, resistência da madeira, guaritá, variação axial.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Some Properties of Astronium graveolens Wood Along the Stem

et al. 2016

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“…Contrary to our expectation, we found no relationship between wood specific gravity and vascular traits at the branch level, suggesting no tradeoff between wood specific gravity and conduction capacity in branches. Our results differ from those of previous studies conducted at relatively small spatial scales that showed that stem wood specific gravity related to vessel and vessel lumen fractions (Baltzer et al ., ; Gleason et al ., ) and vascular traits (Ackerly, ; Preston et al ., ; Jacobsen et al ., ; Martinez‐Cabrera et al ., ; McCulloh et al ., ), but confirm those of recent studies conducted at transcontinental and global scales that found no such relationships between stem wood specific gravity and vascular traits (Martinez‐Cabrera et al ., ; Poorter et al ., ; Russo et al ., ; Zanne et al ., ; Fan et al ., ). Yet we found significant negative correlations between wood specific gravity and mean vessel area and mean vessel hydraulic diameter in roots.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The tradeoffs involved have led to two non‐mutually exclusive hypotheses: (1) wood specific gravity should decrease with increasing vessel fraction, vessel area and vessel density affecting the amount of lumen space in wood (Preston et al ., ); and (2) wood specific gravity should increase with increasing fiber fraction, because fiber has the thickest cell walls and hence contributes most to the wood matrix (Poorter et al ., ). A growing number of studies have tested these two hypotheses (Ackerly, ; Preston et al ., ; Jacobsen et al ., ; Zanne et al ., ; Martinez‐Cabrera et al ., ; Gleason et al ., ), but few studies have so far integrated all wood anatomical elements to explore their relative contribution to wood specific gravity (Jacobsen et al ., ; Pratt et al ., ; Martinez‐Cabrera et al ., ; Poorter et al ., ; Lens et al ., ). Additionally, few studies have investigated the relationship between wood specific gravity and wood anatomy in the hyper‐diverse tropical forests and these studies have been limited to a relatively small number of species (Baltzer et al ., ; Zhu & Cao, ; Poorter et al ., ; McCulloh et al ., ; Fan et al ., ; Worbes et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wood specific gravity and anatomy of branches and roots in 113 Amazonian rainforest tree species across environmental gradients

et al. 2013

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SummaryWood specific gravity (WSG) is a strong predictor of tree performance across environmental gradients. Yet it remains unclear how anatomical elements linked to different wood functions contribute to variation in WSG in branches and roots across tropical forests.We examined WSG and wood anatomy in white sand, clay terra firme and seasonally flooded forests in French Guiana, spanning broad environmental gradients found throughout Amazonia. We measured 15 traits relating to branches and small woody roots in 113 species representing the 15 most abundant species in each habitat and representative species from seven monophyletic lineages occurring in all habitats.Fiber traits appear to be major determinants of WSG, independent of vessel traits, in branches and roots. Fiber traits and branch and root WSG increased from seasonally flooded species to clay terra firme species and lastly to white sand species. Branch and root wood traits were strongly phylogenetically constrained. Lineages differed in wood design, but exhibited similar variation in wood structure across habitats.We conclude that tropical trees can invest differently in support and transport to respond to environmental conditions. Wind disturbance and drought stress represent significant filters driving tree distribution of Amazonian forests; hence we suggest that biophysical explanations should receive more attention.

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“…A higher performance in xylem recovery of cavitation‐vulnerable species was recently also detected in temperate tree species, indicating a general coordination between these two key parameters (Ogasa et al ). It should also be considered that differences in biomechanics can affect wood traits of different growth forms (Martínez‐Cabrera et al ), and shrubs can sacrifice single shoots and form new ones from the basal buds. Another aspect not included in the presented study but with potential impact on the hydraulic architecture is the clonal reproduction of the analyzed species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dwarf shrub hydraulics: two Vaccinium species (Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium vitis‐idaea) of the European Alps compared

Ganthaler

Mayr

2015

Physiologia Plantarum

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Vaccinium myrtillus and Vaccinium vitis‐idaea are two dwarf shrubs widespread in the European Alps. We studied the hydraulics of these species hypothesizing that (1) the hydraulic architecture of dwarf shrubs differs from trees, (2) hydraulic properties reflect the species' ecological amplitude and (3) hydraulic properties vary spatially and seasonally. Key hydraulic parameters (osmotic potential, turgor loss point, xylem hydraulic conductivity, vulnerability to drought‐induced embolism, stomata closure, drought‐induced cell damage and embolism repair) and related wood anatomical traits (conduit diameter and conduit wall reinforcement) were analyzed at four sites in Tyrol, Austria. Both species exhibited low hydraulic safety as well as low hydraulic efficiency. Fifty percentage embolism accumulated at −2.08 (V. myrtillus) and −1.97 MPa (V. vitis‐idaea), 88% stomata closure was at −2.19 and −2.35 MPa, respectively. After drought, both species showed embolism repair on re‐watering. Site‐specific variation within species was low, while seasonal changes in embolism resistance and turgor loss point were observed. Results indicate that studied Vaccinium species have a high risk for embolism formation. This is balanced by refilling capacities, which are probably based on the small growth height of dwarf shrubs. V. vitis‐idaea, which occurs on drier sites, showed more efficient repair and a lower turgor loss point than V. myrtillus.

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Integration of vessel traits, wood density, and height in angiosperm shrubs and trees

Abstract: Differences in trait integration between growth forms suggest that evolution of growth form in some lineages might be associated with the degree of trait interrelation.

Cited by 62 publications

References 84 publications

Some Properties of Astronium graveolens Wood Along the Stem

Some Properties of Astronium graveolens Wood Along the Stem

Wood specific gravity and anatomy of branches and roots in 113 Amazonian rainforest tree species across environmental gradients

Dwarf shrub hydraulics: two Vaccinium species (Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium vitis‐idaea) of the European Alps compared

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