Monitoring weekly δ13C variations along the cambium–xylem continuum in the Canadian eastern boreal forest

Abstract

Intra-annual variations of carbon stable isotope ratios (δ13C) in different tree compartments could represent valuable indicators of plant carbon source-sink dynamics, at weekly time scale. Despite this significance, the absence of a methodological framework for tracking δ13C values in tree rings persists due to the complexity of tree ring development. To fulfill this knowledge gap, we developed a method to monitor weekly variability of δ13C in the cambium-xylem continuum of black spruce species [Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP.] during the growing season. We collected and isolated the weekly incremental growth of the cambial region and the developing tree ring from five mature spruce trees over three consecutive growing seasons (2019–2021) in Simoncouche and two growing seasons (2020–2021) in Bernatchez, both located in the boreal forest of Quebec, Canada. Our method allowed for the creation of intra-annual δ13C series for both the growing cambium (δ13Ccam) and developing xylem cellulose (δ13Cxc) in these two sites. Strong positive correlations were observed between δ13Ccam and δ13Cxc series in almost all study years. These findings suggest that a constant supply of fresh assimilates to the cambium-xylem continuum may be the dominant process feeding secondary growth in the two study sites. On the other hand, rates of carbon isotopic fractionation appeared to be poorly affected by climate variability, at an inter- weekly time scale. Hence, increasing δ13Ccam and δ13Cxc trends highlighted here possibly indicate shifts in carbon allocation strategies, likely fostering frost resistance and reducing water uptake in the late growth season. Additionally, these trends may be related to the black spruce trees' responses to the seasonal decrease in photosynthetically active radiation. Our findings provide new insights into the seasonal carbon dynamics and growth constraints of black spruce in boreal forest ecosystems, offering a novel methodological approach for studying carbon allocation at fine temporal scales.