Crown condition, water availability, insect damage and landscape features: are they important to the Chilean tree Nothofagus glauca (Nothofagaceae) in the context of climate change?
Scott H. Altmann
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
Research Consultant, P.O. Box 16316, Providencia, Santiago, Chile. Email: scotthaltmann@gmail.com
Australian Journal of Botany 61(5) 394-403 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT13015
Submitted: 25 January 2013 Accepted: 25 June 2013 Published: 1 August 2013
Abstract
An understanding of the impact that climate change will have on dominant plant species is important given the central role of these species in ecosystem functioning. Southern beech (Nothofagus Blume) is a central genus in the forests of the southern cone of South America, with Nothofagus glauca (Phil.) Krasser a dominant, at-risk tree inhabiting the drought-prone region of central Chile. The present study explored the relationships among several environmental variables that may be critical to understanding the impact of climate change on N. glauca, most importantly crown condition, plant water availability, insect leaf damage and landscape features. Furthermore, the study examined whether these variables differed between individuals from drier or wetter stands distributed within a north–south geographic area. Multiple regression modelling detected important relationships for the dependent variable crown condition with branch midday water potential, N. glauca diameter at breast height and vegetative cover, as well as with landscape variables in interaction with different plant vigour and water availability measures. Negative correlations between insect damage and plant water availability measures were observed at two field sites. Overall, crown condition and water availability were higher, and insect damage was lower, in wetter stands. The results of the present study have important negative implications for the species in terms of climate change and can be applied to future investigations.
Additional keywords: central Chile, Mediterranean-type climate, midday water potential (ΨMD), southern beech.
References
Abrams MD, Kubiske ME, Mostoller SA (1994) Relating wet and dry year ecophysiology to leaf structure in contrasting temperate tree species. Ecology 75, 123–133.| Relating wet and dry year ecophysiology to leaf structure in contrasting temperate tree species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Allen CD, Macalady AK, Chenchouni H, Bachelet D, McDowell N, Vennetier M, Kitzberger T, Rigling A, Breshears DD, Hogg EH, Gonzalez P, Fensham R, Zhang Z, Castro J, Demidova N, Lim J, Allard G, Running SW, Semerci A, Cobb N (2010) A global overview of drought and heat-induced tree mortality reveals emerging climate change risks for forests. Forest Ecology and Management 259, 660–684.
| A global overview of drought and heat-induced tree mortality reveals emerging climate change risks for forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Altmann SH (2011) Insect folivore damage in Nothofagus Blume trees of central Chile and its association with bottom-up plant community attributes. Ecología Austral 21, 121–133.
Ayres MP, Lombardero MJ (2000) Assessing the consequences of global change for forest disturbance from herbivores and pathogens. The Science of the Total Environment 262, 263–286.
| Assessing the consequences of global change for forest disturbance from herbivores and pathogens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXotleru7s%3D&md5=1573dd578015ff30b4db4ea9acba5992CAS | 11087032PubMed |
Benoit I (1989) ‘Libro rojo de la flora terrestre de Chile. Parte I.’ (Department of Agriculture of Chile: Santiago)
Bréda N, Huc R, Granier A, Dreyer E (2006) Temperate forest trees and stands under severe drought: a review of ecophysiological responses, adaptation processes and long-term consequences. Annals of Forest Science 63, 625–644.
| Temperate forest trees and stands under severe drought: a review of ecophysiological responses, adaptation processes and long-term consequences.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bucci SJ, Scholz FG, Campanello PI, Montti L, Jimenez-Castillo M, Rockwell FA, La Manna L, Guerra P, Bernal PL, Troncoso O, Enricci J, Holbrook MN, Goldstein G (2012) Hydraulic differences along the water transport system of South American Nothofagus species: do leaves protect the stem functionality? Tree Physiology 32, 880–893.
| Hydraulic differences along the water transport system of South American Nothofagus species: do leaves protect the stem functionality?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22684354PubMed |
Carnicer J, Coll M, Ninyerola M, Pons X, Sánchez G, Peñuelas J (2011) Widespread crown condition decline, food web disruption, and amplified tree mortality with increased climate change-type drought. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 108, 1474–1478.
| Widespread crown condition decline, food web disruption, and amplified tree mortality with increased climate change-type drought.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhs1Smt7w%3D&md5=6f2dce1055fb4382e0cfca4e2d10f682CAS | 21220333PubMed |
Case TJ, Taper ML (2000) Interspecific competition, environmental gradients, gene flow and the coevolution of species’ borders. American Naturalist 155, 583–605.
| Interspecific competition, environmental gradients, gene flow and the coevolution of species’ borders.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 10777432PubMed |
Comisión Económica para América Latina (CEPAL), United Nations (2009) ‘La economía del cambio climático en Chile. Síntesis.’ (United Nations: Santiago)
Davis SD, Ewers FW, Sperry JS, Portwood KA, Crocker MC, Adams GC (2002) Shoot dieback during prolonged drought in Ceanothus (Rhamnaceae) Chaparral of California: a possible case of hydraulic failure. American Journal of Botany 89, 820–828.
| Shoot dieback during prolonged drought in Ceanothus (Rhamnaceae) Chaparral of California: a possible case of hydraulic failure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21665682PubMed |
Dobbertin M, Brang P (2001) Crown defoliation improves tree mortality models. Forest Ecology and Management 141, 271–284.
| Crown defoliation improves tree mortality models.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Domínguez CA, Dirzo R (1995) Plant–herbivore interactions in Mesoamerican tropical dry forests. In ‘Seasonally dry tropical forests’. (Eds H Bullock, HA Mooney, E Medina) pp. 304–325. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge)
Fotelli MN, Radoglou KM, Constantinidou HIA (2000) Water stress responses of seedlings of four Mediterranean oak species. Tree Physiology 20, 1065–1075.
| Water stress responses of seedlings of four Mediterranean oak species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M7nsFKmsg%3D%3D&md5=b2fc011b6d7dbff0a262c55d5d114504CAS | 11269958PubMed |
Gajardo R (1994) ‘La vegetación natural de Chile, clasificación y distribución geográfica.’ (Editorial Universitaria: Santiago)
Galmés J, Flexas J, Savé R, Medrano H (2007) Water relations and stomatal characteristics of Mediterranean plants with different growth forms and leaf habits: responses to water stress and recovery. Plant and Soil 290, 139–155.
| Water relations and stomatal characteristics of Mediterranean plants with different growth forms and leaf habits: responses to water stress and recovery.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gamon JA, Field CB, Goulden ML, Griffin KL, Hartley AE, Joel G, Peñuelas J, Valentini R (1995) Relationships between NDVI, canopy structure, and photosynthesis in three Californian vegetation types. Ecological Applications 5, 28–41.
Grimes RF (1978) ‘Crown assessment of natural spotted gum-ironbark forest.’ Technical Paper No. 7. (Queensland Department of Forestry: Brisbane)
Guarín A, Taylor AH (2005) Drought triggered tree mortality in mixed conifer forests in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 218, 229–244.
| Drought triggered tree mortality in mixed conifer forests in Yosemite National Park, California, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hadley KS, Veblen TT (1993) Stand response to western spruce budworm and Douglas-fir bark beetle outbreaks, Colorado Front Range. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 23, 479–491.
| Stand response to western spruce budworm and Douglas-fir bark beetle outbreaks, Colorado Front Range.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hampe A, Petit RJ (2005) Conserving biodiversity under climate change: the rear edge matters. Ecology Letters 8, 461–467.
| Conserving biodiversity under climate change: the rear edge matters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21352449PubMed |
Hanson PJ, Weltzin JF (2000) Drought disturbance from climate change: response of United States forests. The Science of the Total Environment 262, 205–220.
| Drought disturbance from climate change: response of United States forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXotleru74%3D&md5=06e4408abb6043fb2ac57c98faaf4daaCAS | 11087027PubMed |
Hechenleitner P, Gardner MF, Thomas PI, Echeverría C, Escobar B, Brownless P, Martínez C (2005) Plantas amenazadas del centro-sur de Chile. Distribución, conservación y propagación. (Austral University of Chile/Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh: Santiago)
Jaña-Prado RC, Grez AA (2004) Insectos herbívoros en el bosque Maulino. Revista Chilena de Entomologia 30, 27–43.
Jump AS, Woodward FI (2003) Seed production and population density decline approaching the range-edge of Cirsium species. New Phytologist 160, 349–358.
| Seed production and population density decline approaching the range-edge of Cirsium species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jump AS, Hunt JM, Peñuelas J (2006) Rapid climate change-related growth decline at the southern range edge of Fagus sylvatica. Global Change Biology 12, 2163–2174.
| Rapid climate change-related growth decline at the southern range edge of Fagus sylvatica.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kromrey JD, Rendina-Gobioff G (2003) An empirical comparison of regression analysis strategies with discrete ordinal variables. Multiple Linear Regression Viewpoints 28, 30–43.
Lawton JH (1993) Range, population abundance and conservation. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 8, 409–413.
| Range, population abundance and conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3M7itV2nsA%3D%3D&md5=a506a12db0c4cdbe9a0485388c3946ebCAS | 21236213PubMed |
Linares JC, Camarero JJ (2012) Growth patterns and sensitivity to climate predict silver fir decline in the Spanish Pyrenees. European Journal of Forest Research 131, 1001–1012.
| Growth patterns and sensitivity to climate predict silver fir decline in the Spanish Pyrenees.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Linares JC, Camarero JJ, Carreira JA (2010) Competition modulates the adaptation capacity of forest to climatic stress: insights from recent growth decline in relict stands of the Mediterranean fir Abies pinsapo. Journal of Ecology 98, 592–603.
| Competition modulates the adaptation capacity of forest to climatic stress: insights from recent growth decline in relict stands of the Mediterranean fir Abies pinsapo.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Logan JA, Régnière J, Powell JA (2003) Assessing the impacts of global warming on forest pest dynamics. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 1, 130–137.
| Assessing the impacts of global warming on forest pest dynamics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Luebert F, Pliscoff P (2006) ‘Sinopsis bioclimática y vegetacional de Chile.’ (Editorial Universitaria: Santiago)
Mahall BE, Wilson CS (1986) Environmental induction and physiological consequences of natural pruning in the Chaparral shrub Ceanothus megacarpus. Botanical Gazette 147, 102–109.
| Environmental induction and physiological consequences of natural pruning in the Chaparral shrub Ceanothus megacarpus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mäkinen H, Nöjd P, Kahle HP, Neumann U, Tveite B, Mielikäinen K, Röhle H, Spiecker H (2002) Radial growth variation of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) across latitudinal and altitudinal gradients in central and northern Europe. Forest Ecology and Management 171, 243–259.
| Radial growth variation of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) across latitudinal and altitudinal gradients in central and northern Europe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Manion PD (1991) ‘Tree disease concepts’, 2nd edn. (Prentice Hall: Englewood Cliffs)
McDowell N, Pockman WT, Allen CD, Breshears DD, Cobb N, Kolb T, Plaut J, Sperry J, West A, Williams DG, Yepez EA (2008) Mechanisms of plant survival and mortality during drought: why do some plants survive while others succumb to drought? New Phytologist 178, 719–739.
| Mechanisms of plant survival and mortality during drought: why do some plants survive while others succumb to drought?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18422905PubMed |
Pachauri RK Reisinger A (Eds) 2007 ‘
Parada T, Lusk CH (2011) Patterns of tree seedling mortality in a temperate-mediterranean transition zone forest in Chile. Gayana Botánica 68, 236–243.
| Patterns of tree seedling mortality in a temperate-mediterranean transition zone forest in Chile.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Paritsis J, Veblen TT (2010) Temperature and foliage quality affect performance of the outbreak defoliator Ormiscodes amphimone (F.) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 83, 593–603.
| Temperature and foliage quality affect performance of the outbreak defoliator Ormiscodes amphimone (F.) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Quillet A, Peng C, Garneau M (2010) Toward dynamic vegetation models for simulating vegetation–climate interactions and feedbacks: recent developments, limitations and future challenges. Environmental Reviews 18, 333–353.
| Toward dynamic vegetation models for simulating vegetation–climate interactions and feedbacks: recent developments, limitations and future challenges.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Quintana J (2000) The drought in Chile and La Niña. Drought Network News 12, 3–6.
Rood SB, Patiño S, Coombs K, Tyree MT (2000) Branch sacrifice: cavitation-associated drought adaptation of riparian cottonwoods. Trees 14, 248–257.
| Branch sacrifice: cavitation-associated drought adaptation of riparian cottonwoods.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schoonhoven LM, van Loon JJA, Dicke M (2005) ‘Insect–plant biology’, 2nd edn. (Oxford University Press: New York)
Stone C (1999) Assessment and monitoring of decline and dieback of forests in relation to ecologically sustainable forest management: a review with a case study. Australian Forestry 62, 51–58.
| Assessment and monitoring of decline and dieback of forests in relation to ecologically sustainable forest management: a review with a case study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Suárez ML, Ghermandi L, Kitzberger T (2004) Factors predisposing episodic drought-induced tree mortality in Nothofagus: site, climatic sensitivity and growth trends. Journal of Ecology 92, 954–966.
| Factors predisposing episodic drought-induced tree mortality in Nothofagus: site, climatic sensitivity and growth trends.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weltzin JF, McPherson GR (1997) Spatial and temporal soil moisture resource partioning by trees and grasses in a temperate savanna, Arizona, USA. Oecologia 112, 156–164.
| Spatial and temporal soil moisture resource partioning by trees and grasses in a temperate savanna, Arizona, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
White TCR (1969) An index to measure weather induced stress of trees associated with outbreaks of psyllids in Australia. Ecology 50, 905–909.
| An index to measure weather induced stress of trees associated with outbreaks of psyllids in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
White TCR (2009) Plant vigor versus plant stress: a false dichotomy. Oikos 118, 807–808.
| Plant vigor versus plant stress: a false dichotomy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Williams SE, Shoo LP, Issac JL, Hoffman AA, Langham G (2008) Towards an integrated framework for assessing the vulnerability of species to climate change. PLoS Biology 6, 2621–2626.
| Towards an integrated framework for assessing the vulnerability of species to climate change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXlsFGjsw%3D%3D&md5=466aacd47483c283d1463e99932c63a6CAS | 19108608PubMed |
