Traits, properties, and performance: how woody plants combine hydraulic and mechanical functions in a cell, tissue, or whole plant

Barbara Lachenbruch; Katherine A. McCulloh

doi:10.1111/nph.13035

journal article Open Access Sep 23, 2014

Traits, properties, and performance: how woody plants combine hydraulic and mechanical functions in a cell, tissue, or whole plant

Barbara Lachenbruch Katherine A. McCulloh

New Phytologist Vol. 204 No. 4 pp. 747-764 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/nph.13035

Abstract

SummaryThis review presents a framework for evaluating how cells, tissues, organs, and whole plants perform both hydraulic and mechanical functions. The morphological alterations that affect dual functionality are varied: individual cells can have altered morphology; tissues can have altered partitioning to functions or altered cell alignment; and organs and whole plants can differ in their allocation to different tissues, or in the geometric distribution of the tissues they have. A hierarchical model emphasizes that morphological traits influence the hydraulic or mechanical properties; the properties, combined with the plant unit's environment, then influence the performance of that plant unit. As a special case, we discuss the mechanisms by which the proxy property wood density has strong correlations to performance but without direct causality. Traits and properties influence multiple aspects of performance, and there can be mutual compensations such that similar performance occurs. This compensation emphasizes that natural selection acts on, and a plant's viability is determined by, its performance, rather than its contributing traits and properties. Continued research on the relationships among traits, and on their effects on multiple aspects of performance, will help us better predict, manage, and select plant material for success under multiple stresses in the future.ContentsSummary747I.Introduction747II.Studying dual functionality in plants: some conceptual approaches749III.Mechanisms influencing dual functionality at different spatial scales753IV.Conclusions760Acknowledgements760References760

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Details

Published: Sep 23, 2014
Vol/Issue: 204(4)
Pages: 747-764
License: View

Authors

B

Barbara Lachenbruch

Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society Oregon State University Corvallis OR 97331 USA

K

Katherine A. McCulloh

Department of Botany University of Wisconsin‐Madison Madison WI 53706 USA

Funding

NSF Award: IBN 09-19871

Cite This Article

Barbara Lachenbruch, Katherine A. McCulloh (2014). Traits, properties, and performance: how woody plants combine hydraulic and mechanical functions in a cell, tissue, or whole plant. New Phytologist, 204(4), 747-764. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.13035

Traits, properties, and performance: how woody plants combine hydraulic and mechanical functions in a cell, tissue, or whole plant

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