Anatomical acclimatization and physiological mechanisms of Robinia pseudoacacia dieback in the Loess Plateau.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Widespread dieback and mortality have occurred in mature artificial forests in recent decades. It is unclear how anatomical structures and physiological activities determine the dieback and even mortality of the canopy.

Methods

We analysed the variation in anatomical structure, hydraulic function and non-structural carbohydrates among canopy levels along the drought gradient.

Results

We found that, first, Robinia pseudoacacia coordinated hydraulic efficiency and safety by increasing the vessel diameter and vestured overlap and by decreasing the total pit membrane area in xylem with increasing drought stress. Second, the hydraulic conductivity within the canopy gradually decreased from the bottom to the upper canopy, whereas embolism increased. As p

SUBMITTER: Liu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12358023 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature