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The hydraulic architecture of trees and other woody plants

The hydraulic architecture of trees and other woody plants In this paper, we have reviewed how the hydraulic design of trees influences the movement of water from roots to leaves. The hydraulic architecture of trees can limit their water relations, gas exchange throughout the crown of trees, the distribution of trees over different habitats and, perhaps, even the maximum height that a particular species can achieve. Parameters of particular importance include: (1) the vulnerability of stems to drought‐induced cavitation events because cavitation reduces the hydraulic conductance of stems, (2) the leaf specific conductivity‐of stems because it determines the pressure gradients and most negative water potentials needed to sustain evaporation from leaves, (3) the water storage capacity of tissues because this might determine the ability of trees to survive long drought periods. All of these parameters are determined by the structure and function of anatomical components of trees. Some of the ecological and physiological trade‐offs of specific structures are discussed. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png New Phytologist Wiley

The hydraulic architecture of trees and other woody plants

TYREE, MELVIN T.; EWERS, FRANK W.
New Phytologist , Volume 119 (3) – Nov 1, 1991
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References (75)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
ISSN
0028-646X
eISSN
1469-8137
DOI
10.1111/j.1469-8137.1991.tb00035.x
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

In this paper, we have reviewed how the hydraulic design of trees influences the movement of water from roots to leaves. The hydraulic architecture of trees can limit their water relations, gas exchange throughout the crown of trees, the distribution of trees over different habitats and, perhaps, even the maximum height that a particular species can achieve. Parameters of particular importance include: (1) the vulnerability of stems to drought‐induced cavitation events because cavitation reduces the hydraulic conductance of stems, (2) the leaf specific conductivity‐of stems because it determines the pressure gradients and most negative water potentials needed to sustain evaporation from leaves, (3) the water storage capacity of tissues because this might determine the ability of trees to survive long drought periods. All of these parameters are determined by the structure and function of anatomical components of trees. Some of the ecological and physiological trade‐offs of specific structures are discussed.

Journal

New Phytologist – Wiley

Published: Nov 1, 1991

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