Savanna Tree Seedlings are Physiologically Tolerant to Nighttime Freeze Events.

ABSTRACT: Freeze events can be important disturbances in savanna ecosystems, yet the interactive effect of freezing with other environmental drivers on plant functioning is unknown. Here, we investigated physiological responses of South African tree seedlings to interactions of water availability and freezing temperatures. We grew widely distributed South African tree species (Colophospermum mopane, Combretum apiculatum, Acacia nigrescens, and Cassia abbreviata) under well-watered and water-limited conditions and exposed individuals to nighttime freeze events. Of the four species studied here, C. mopane was the most tolerant of lower water availability. However, all species were similarly tolerant to nighttime freezing and recovered within one week following the last freezing event. We also show tha

SUBMITTER: O'Keefe K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4735699 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature