Nutrient-Induced Modifications of Wood Anatomical Traits of Alchornea lojaensis (Euphorbiaceae)

Spannl S, Homeier J, Bräuning A (2016)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Frontiers in Earth Science Frontiers Media

Publisher: Frontiers Media

Book Volume: 4

Pages Range: 1-13

Article Number: 50

URI: http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/feart.2016.00050/full

DOI: 10.3389/feart.2016.00050

Open Access Link: http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/feart.2016.00050/pdf

Abstract

Regarding woody plant responses on higher atmospheric inputs of the macronutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) on tropical forests in the future, an adaptive modification of wood anatomical traits on the cellular level of woody plants is expected. As part of an interdisciplinary nutrient manipulation experiment (NUMEX) carried out in Southern Ecuador, we present here the first descriptive and quantitative wood anatomical analysis of the tropical evergreen tree species Alchornea lojaensis (Euphorbiaceae). We sampled branch wood of nine individual trees belonging to treatments with N fertilization, N+P fertilization, and a control group, respectively. Quantitative evaluations of eleven different vessel parameters were conducted. The results showed that this endemic tree species will be able to adapt well to the future effects of climate change and higher nutrient deposition. This was firstly implied by an increase in vessel diameter and consequently a higher theo. area-specific hydraulic conductivity with higher nutrient availability. Secondly, the percentage of small vessels (0–20 μm diameter) strongly increased with fertilization. Thirdly, the vessel arrangement (solitary vessels vs. multiple vessel groupings) changed toward a lower percentage of solitary vessel fraction (V_S), and concurrently toward a higher total vessel grouping index (V_G) and a higher mean group size of non-solitary vessels (V_M) after N and N+P addition. We conclude that higher nutrient availability of N and N+P triggered higher foliage amount and water demand, leading to higher cavitation risk in larger vessels. This is counteracted by a stronger grouping of vessels with smaller risk of cavitation to ensure water supply during drier periods that are expected to occur in higher frequency in the near future.

Authors with CRIS profile

Susanne Spannl Lehrstuhl für Geographie (Physische Geographie) Achim Bräuning Lehrstuhl für Geographie (Physische Geographie)

Involved external institutions

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Spannl, S., Homeier, J., & Bräuning, A. (2016). Nutrient-Induced Modifications of Wood Anatomical Traits of Alchornea lojaensis (Euphorbiaceae). Frontiers in Earth Science, 4, 1-13. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/feart.2016.00050

MLA:

Spannl, Susanne, Jürgen Homeier, and Achim Bräuning. "Nutrient-Induced Modifications of Wood Anatomical Traits of Alchornea lojaensis (Euphorbiaceae)." Frontiers in Earth Science 4 (2016): 1-13.

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