TY - JOUR

T1 - Interactive responses of Quercus suber L. seedlings to light and mild water stress

T2 - effects on morphology and gas exchange traits

AU - Puertolas Simon, Jaime

AU - Pardos, Marta

AU - Jimenez, Maria Dolores

AU - Aranda, Ismael

AU - Pardos, Jose Alberto

PY - 2008/9

Y1 - 2008/9

N2 - The combined effect of water stress and light on seedlings of forest species is a key factor to determine the best silvicultural and afforestation practices in the Mediterranean area. The aims of this work was (1) to determine the optimal light level for the early development of cork oak seedlings under mild water stress and (2) to test if the combined effect of water stress and light followed the trade-off, the facilitation or the orthogonal hypothesis. Shade reduced instantaneous photosynthetic rates and water use efficiency in cork oak. However, seedlings grown under moderate shade (15% of full sunlight) were capable to accumulate similar amount of biomass than those grown under more illuminated environments by increasing their specific leaf area. Absolute differences in net photosynthesis between light treatments were higher in well watered than in water stressed seedlings. However, the impact of both factors on overall growth was orthogonal. We concluded that cork oak development is impaired under deep shade (5% of full sunlight) but it can be optimal under moderate shade ( 15% of full sunlight) even under moderate water stress. Implications of these patterns on regeneration, cultivation and afforestation of cork oak are discussed.

AB - The combined effect of water stress and light on seedlings of forest species is a key factor to determine the best silvicultural and afforestation practices in the Mediterranean area. The aims of this work was (1) to determine the optimal light level for the early development of cork oak seedlings under mild water stress and (2) to test if the combined effect of water stress and light followed the trade-off, the facilitation or the orthogonal hypothesis. Shade reduced instantaneous photosynthetic rates and water use efficiency in cork oak. However, seedlings grown under moderate shade (15% of full sunlight) were capable to accumulate similar amount of biomass than those grown under more illuminated environments by increasing their specific leaf area. Absolute differences in net photosynthesis between light treatments were higher in well watered than in water stressed seedlings. However, the impact of both factors on overall growth was orthogonal. We concluded that cork oak development is impaired under deep shade (5% of full sunlight) but it can be optimal under moderate shade ( 15% of full sunlight) even under moderate water stress. Implications of these patterns on regeneration, cultivation and afforestation of cork oak are discussed.

KW - TRADE-OFFS

KW - cork oak

KW - NURSE PLANTS

KW - ROBUR L

KW - CARBON GAIN

KW - TREE SEEDLINGS

KW - BIOMASS ALLOCATION

KW - shade acclimation

KW - PLANT-COMMUNITIES

KW - NICHE DIFFERENTIATION

KW - photosynthesis rate

KW - foliar anatomy

KW - water use efficiency

KW - WOODY SEEDLINGS

KW - DROUGHT

U2 - 10.1051/forest:2008044

DO - 10.1051/forest:2008044

M3 - Journal article

VL - 65

JO - Annals of Forest Science

JF - Annals of Forest Science

SN - 1286-4560

IS - 6

M1 - ARTN 611

ER -