Does leaf shedding protect stems from cavitation during seasonal droughts? A test of the hydraulic fuse hypothesis

Brett T. Wolfe; JOHN S. SPERRY; Thomas A. Kursar

doi:10.1111/nph.14087

journal article Jul 04, 2016

Does leaf shedding protect stems from cavitation during seasonal droughts? A test of the hydraulic fuse hypothesis

Brett T. Wolfe

JOHN S. SPERRY Thomas A. Kursar

New Phytologist Vol. 212 No. 4 pp. 1007-1018 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/nph.14087

Abstract

Summary

During droughts, leaves are predicted to act as ‘hydraulic fuses’ by shedding when plants reach critically low water potential (Ψplant), thereby slowing water loss, stabilizing Ψplant and protecting against cavitation‐induced loss of stem hydraulic conductivity (Ks).

We tested these predictions among trees in seasonally dry tropical forests, where leaf shedding is common, yet variable, among species. We tracked leaf phenology, Ψplant and Ks in saplings of six tree species distributed across two forests.

Species differed in their timing and extent of leaf shedding, yet converged in shedding leaves as they approached the Ψplant value associated with a 50% loss of Ks and at which their model‐estimated maximum sustainable transpiration rate approached zero. However, after shedding all leaves, the Ψplant value of one species, Genipa americana, continued to decline, indicating that water loss continued after leaf shedding. Ks was highly variable among saplings within species and seasons, suggesting a minimal influence of seasonal drought on Ks.

Hydraulic limits appear to drive diverse patterns of leaf shedding among tropical trees, supporting the hydraulic fuse hypothesis. However, leaf shedding is not universally effective at stabilizing Ψplant, suggesting that the main function of drought deciduousness may vary among species.

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References

Details

Published: Jul 04, 2016
Vol/Issue: 212(4)
Pages: 1007-1018
License: View

Authors

B

Brett T. Wolfe

Department of Biology University of Utah Salt Lake City UT 84112 USA; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute PO Box 0843‐03092 Balboa Ancon Panama

J

JOHN S. SPERRY

Department of Biology University of Utah Salt Lake City UT 84112 USA

T

Thomas A. Kursar

Department of Biology University of Utah Salt Lake City UT 84112 USA; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute PO Box 0843‐03092 Balboa Ancon Panama

Funding

National Science Foundation Award: DEB‐0444590

University of Utah

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

UU Global Change and Sustainability Center

UU's Think Globally Teach Locally Program

Cite This Article

Brett T. Wolfe, JOHN S. SPERRY, Thomas A. Kursar (2016). Does leaf shedding protect stems from cavitation during seasonal droughts? A test of the hydraulic fuse hypothesis. New Phytologist, 212(4), 1007-1018. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.14087

Does leaf shedding protect stems from cavitation during seasonal droughts? A test of the hydraulic fuse hypothesis

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