Conduit position and connectivity affect the likelihood of xylem embolism during natural drought in evergreen woodland species.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Hydraulic failure is considered a main cause of drought-induced forest mortality. Yet, we have a limited understanding of how the varying intensities and long time scales of natural droughts induce and propagate embolism within the xylem.

Methods

X-ray computed tomography (microCT) images were obtained from different aged branch xylem to study the number, size and spatial distribution of in situ embolized conduits among three dominant tree species growing in a woodland community.

Key results

Among the three studied tree species, those with a higher xylem vulnerability to embolism (higher water potential at 50 % loss of hydraulic conductance; P50) were more embolized than species with lower P50. Within individual stems, the probability of embolism w

SUBMITTER: Pritzkow C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9486930 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature