Functional Traits and Water Transport Strategies in Lowland Tropical Rainforest Trees.

ABSTRACT: Understanding how tropical rainforest trees may respond to the precipitation extremes predicted in future climate change scenarios is paramount for their conservation and management. Tree species clearly differ in drought susceptibility, suggesting that variable water transport strategies exist. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, we examined the hydraulic variability in trees in a lowland tropical rainforest in north-eastern Australia. We studied eight tree species representing broad plant functional groups (one palm and seven eudicot mature-phase, and early-successional trees). We characterised the species' hydraulic system through maximum rates of volumetric sap flow and velocities using the heat ratio method, and measured rates of tree growth and several stem, vessel, and leaf traits.

SUBMITTER: Apgaua DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4472991 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature