Functional traits variation explains the distribution of <i>Aextoxicon</i> <i>punctatum</i> (Aextoxicaceae) in pronounced moisture gradients within fog-dependent forest fragments

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorSalgado-Negret, Beatriz
dc.contributor.authorCanessa, Rafaella
dc.contributor.authorValladares, Fernando
dc.contributor.authorArmesto, Juan J.
dc.contributor.authorPerez, Fernanda
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-23T21:34:55Z
dc.date.available2025-01-23T21:34:55Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.description.abstractClimate change and fragmentation are major threats to world forests. Understanding how functional traits related to drought tolerance change across small-scale, pronounced moisture gradients in fragmented forests is important to predict species' responses to these threats. In the case of Aextoxicon punctatum, a dominant canopy tree in fog-dependent rain forest patches in semiarid Chile, we explored how the magnitude, variability and correlation patterns of leaf and xylem vessel traits and hydraulic conductivity varied across soil moisture (SM) gradients established within and among forest patches of different size, which are associated with differences in tree establishment and mortality patterns. Leaf traits varied across soil-moisture gradients produced by fog interception. Trees growing at drier leeward edges showed higher leaf mass per area, trichome and stomatal density than trees from the wetter core and windward zones. In contrast, xylem vessel traits (vessels diameter and density) did not vary producing loss of hydraulic conductivity at drier leeward edges. We also detected higher levels of phenotypic integration and variability at leeward edges. The ability of A. puncta turn to modify leaf traits in response to differences in SM availability established over short distances (<500 m) facilitates its persistence in contrasting microhabitats within forest patches. However, xylem anatomy showed limited plasticity, which increases cavitation risk at leeward edges. Greater patch fragmentation, together with fluctuations in irradiance and SM in small patches, could result in higher risk of drought-related tree mortality, with profound impacts on hydrological balances at the ecosystem scale.
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.doi10.3389/fpls.2015.00511
dc.identifier.issn1664-462X
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.00511
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/101545
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:000358686700001
dc.language.isoen
dc.revistaFrontiers in plant science
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subjectclimate change
dc.subjectfog-dependent forest
dc.subjectfragmentation
dc.subjecthydraulic traits
dc.subjectintraspecific phenotypic variability
dc.subjectleaf traits
dc.subjectmoisture gradient
dc.subjectphenotypic integration
dc.subject.ods13 Climate Action
dc.subject.ods15 Life on Land
dc.subject.odspa13 Acción por el clima
dc.subject.odspa15 Vida de ecosistemas terrestres
dc.titleFunctional traits variation explains the distribution of <i>Aextoxicon</i> <i>punctatum</i> (Aextoxicaceae) in pronounced moisture gradients within fog-dependent forest fragments
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen6
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
Files
Collections
Artículos de revistas