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Weak tradeoff between xylem safety and xylem-specific hydraulic efficiency across the world's woody plant species
The evolution of lignified xylem allowed for the efficient transport of water under tension,but also exposed the vascular network to the risk of gas emboli and the spread of gas betweenxylem conduits, thus impeding sap transport to the leaves. A well-known hypothesis proposesthat the safety of xylem (its ability to resist embolism formation and spread) should trade offagainst xylem efficiency (its capacity to transport water).
We tested this safety–efficiency hypothesis in branch xylem across 335 angiosperm and 89gymnosperm species. Safety was considered at three levels: the xylem water potentials where12%, 50% and 88% of maximal conductivity are lost.
Although correlations between safety and efficiency were weak (r2 < 0.086), no species hadhigh efficiency and high safety, supporting the idea for a safety–efficiency tradeoff. However,many species had low efficiency and low safety. Species with low efficiency and low safetywere weakly associated...
The evolution of lignified xylem allowed for the efficient transport of water under tension,but also exposed the vascular network to the risk of gas emboli and the spread of gas betweenxylem conduits, thus impeding sap transport to the leaves. A well-known hypothesis proposesthat the safety of xylem (its ability to resist embolism formation and spread) should trade offagainst xylem efficiency (its capacity to transport water).
We tested this safety–efficiency hypothesis in branch xylem across 335 angiosperm and 89gymnosperm species. Safety was considered at three levels: the xylem water potentials where12%, 50% and 88% of maximal conductivity are lost.
Although correlations between safety and efficiency were weak (r2 < 0.086), no species hadhigh efficiency and high safety, supporting the idea for a safety–efficiency tradeoff. However,many species had low efficiency and low safety. Species with low efficiency and low safetywere weakly associated (r2 < 0.02 in most cases) with higher wood density, lower leaf- to sap-wood-area and shorter stature.
There appears to be no persuasive explanation for the considerable number of species withboth low efficiency and low safety. These species represent a real challenge for understandingthe evolution of xylem.
Show less- All authors
- Gleason, S.M.; Westoby, M.; Jansen, S.; Choat, B.; Hacke, U.G.; Pratt, R.B.; Bhaskar, R.; Brodribb, T.J.; Bucci, S.J.; Cao, K.F; Cochard, H.; Delzon, S.; Domec, J.C; Fan, Z.X.; Feild, T.S.; Jacobsen, A.L.; Johnson, D.M.; Lens, F.P.; Maherali, H.; Martinez-Vilalta, J.; Mayr, S.; McCulloh, K.A.; Mencuccini, M.; Mitchell, P.J.; Morris, H.; Nardini, A.; Pittermann, J.; Plavcova, L.; Schreiber, S.G.; Sperry, J.S.; Wright, I.J.; Zanne, A.E.
- Date
- 2016-01-31
- Volume
- 209
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 123 - 136