Environmental v. genetically driven variation in ecophysiological traits of Nothofagus pumilio from contrasting elevations
Andrea C. Premoli A C and Carol A. Brewer BA Laboratorio Ecotono, Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral 1250, 8400 Bariloche, Argentina.
B Division of Biological Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
C Corresponding author. Email: apremoli@crub.uncoma.edu.ar
Australian Journal of Botany 55(6) 585-591 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT06026
Submitted: 10 February 2006 Accepted: 15 May 2007 Published: 27 September 2007
Abstract
Nothofagus pumilio (Poepp. et Endl.) Krasser is a broadleaved deciduous tree that dominates high-elevation forests in the southern Andes. We evaluated the degree to which differences in stomatal density and physiological traits (net assimilation, conductance and water use efficiency) were related to environmental and genetic influences with elevation by comparing plants growing under field and common garden conditions. Low-elevation leaves under field conditions had fewer stomata, although this pattern was not maintained in the common garden. Assimilation rates were >40% higher for high-elevation plants in the field, and 18% higher in the common garden, than those for low-elevation plants. In addition, under field conditions high-elevation plants tended to have higher stomatal conductance and lower instantaneous water use efficiency than did low-elevation plants; however, these differences were not significant in the common garden. Thus, assimilation seems to be under genetic control whereas ecophysiological traits related to the use of water appear to be more responsive to environmental cues. Our results suggest that plants growing along elevational gradients may show complex ecophysiological patterns. These patterns may be acquired by genetically driven responses to conditions that are fixed throughout the life span of individuals, such as soil nutrients. Also plastic adjustments may favour opportunistic use of available water during the dry season, particularly under Mediterranean-type climate regimes with summer drought.
Acknowledgements
We thank F. Kitzberger and P. Soares for valuable field and laboratory assistance. G. Goldstein, Ch. Köerner, A. Schoettle and three anonymous reviewers made insightful comments on earlier versions of this manuscript. This research was funded by the International Foundation for Science (D/2544-1) and Universidad Nacional del Comahue to A. Premoli, and by Montana EPSCoR, Turner Foundation, University of Montana Creative Research Grants, and a Fulbright Senior Research Fellowship to C. Brewer. We are grateful to Administración de Parques Nacionales in Argentina for permitting us to work in protected areas. A. Premoli is a member of CONICET.
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