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Title: A dynamic yet vulnerable pipeline: Integration and coordination of hydraulic traits across whole plants

Journal Article · · Plant, Cell and Environment
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13607 · OSTI ID:1545649
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2]; ORCiD logo [3];  [1]; ORCiD logo [4]
  1. Department of Botany University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison WI 53706 USA
  2. Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University Durham NC 27708 USA, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, UMR 1391 INRA‐ISPA 33175 Gradignan Cedex France
  3. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia Athens GA 30602 USA
  4. USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station Corvallis OR 97331 USA

Abstract The vast majority of measurements in the field of plant hydraulics have been on small‐diameter branches from woody species. These measurements have provided considerable insight into plant functioning, but our understanding of plant physiology and ecology would benefit from a broader view, because branch hydraulic properties are influenced by many factors. Here, we discuss the influence that other components of the hydraulic network have on branch vulnerability to embolism propagation. We also modelled the impact of changes in the ratio of root‐to‐leaf areas and soil texture on vulnerability to hydraulic failure along the soil‐to‐leaf continuum and showed that hydraulic function is better maintained through changes in root vulnerability and root‐to‐leaf area ratio than in branch vulnerability. Differences among species in the stringency with which they regulate leaf water potential and in reliance on stored water to buffer changes in water potential also affect the need to construct embolism resistant branches. Many approaches, such as measurements on fine roots, small individuals, combining sap flow and psychrometry techniques, and modelling efforts, could vastly improve our understanding of whole‐plant hydraulic functioning. A better understanding of how traits are coordinated across the whole plant will improve predictions for plant function under future climate conditions.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
1545649
Journal Information:
Plant, Cell and Environment, Journal Name: Plant, Cell and Environment Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 42; ISSN 0140-7791
Publisher:
Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English

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