The hydraulic architecture of conifers

Abstract

Conifers survive in diverse and sometimes extreme environments (Fig. 2.1a–f). Piñon-juniper communities are found in semi-arid environments, receiving ca. 400 mm of yearly precipitation (Linton et al. 1998), which is less than half the average precipitations received by other coniferous tree species worldwide. Picea mariana and Larix laricina grow in boreal peatlands where they face fluctuating water tables and cold, often frozen soils (Lieffers and Rothwell 1987). Timberline trees such as Pinus cembra experience short growing seasons and cope with frost, winter desiccation, and mechanical challenges (Mayr et al. 2012) (Fig. 2.1c, d). The Cupressaceae family is particularly diverse in terms of the morphology and habitat preference exhibited by its members (Pittermann et al. 2012). While Taxodium distichum is adapted to water-logged soils, many Juniperus and Pinus species are exceptionally drought tolerant.

Citation

Hacke, Uwe G; Lachenbruch, Barbara; Pittermann, Jarmila; Mayr,Stefan; Domec, Jean-Christophe; Schulte, Paul J. 2015. The hydraulic architecture of conifers. In: Functional and Ecological Xylem Anatomy (ed. U.G. Hacke). Springer International Publishing, Switzerland, pp. 39-75. 37 p.  10.1007/978-3-319-15783-2_2