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No carbon storage in growth-limited trees in a semi-arid woodland

Author

Listed:
  • R. Alexander Thompson

    (Washington State University)

  • Henry D. Adams

    (Washington State University)

  • David D. Breshears

    (University of Arizona)

  • Adam D. Collins

    (Earth & Environmental Sciences Division)

  • L. Turin Dickman

    (Earth & Environmental Sciences Division)

  • Charlotte Grossiord

    (Civil and Environmental Engineering, EPFL
    Snow and Landscape WSL)

  • Àngela Manrique‐Alba

    (Estación Experimental Aula Dei (EEAD-CSIC))

  • Drew M. Peltier

    (Northern Arizona University)

  • Michael G. Ryan

    (Colorado State University
    Rocky Mountain Research Station)

  • Amy M. Trowbridge

    (University of Wisconsin)

  • Nate G. McDowell

    (Atmospheric Sciences and Global Change Division, Pacific Northwest National Lab
    Washington State University)

Abstract

Plant survival depends on a balance between carbon supply and demand. When carbon supply becomes limited, plants buffer demand by using stored carbohydrates (sugar and starch). During drought, NSCs (non-structural carbohydrates) may accumulate if growth stops before photosynthesis. This expectation is pervasive, yet few studies have combined simultaneous measurements of drought, photosynthesis, growth, and carbon storage to test this. Using a field experiment with mature trees in a semi-arid woodland, we show that growth and photosynthesis slow in parallel as $${\psi }_{{pd}}$$ ψ p d declines, preventing carbon storage in two species of conifer (J. monosperma and P. edulis). During experimental drought, growth and photosynthesis were frequently co-limited. Our results point to an alternative perspective on how plants use carbon that views growth and photosynthesis as independent processes both regulated by water availability.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Alexander Thompson & Henry D. Adams & David D. Breshears & Adam D. Collins & L. Turin Dickman & Charlotte Grossiord & Àngela Manrique‐Alba & Drew M. Peltier & Michael G. Ryan & Amy M. Trowbridge & , 2023. "No carbon storage in growth-limited trees in a semi-arid woodland," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-37577-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37577-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Michael J. O’Brien & Sebastian Leuzinger & Christopher D. Philipson & John Tay & Andy Hector, 2014. "Drought survival of tropical tree seedlings enhanced by non-structural carbohydrate levels," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 4(8), pages 710-714, August.
    2. N. G. McDowell & A. P. Williams & C. Xu & W. T. Pockman & L. T. Dickman & S. Sevanto & R. Pangle & J. Limousin & J. Plaut & D. S. Mackay & J. Ogee & J. C. Domec & C. D. Allen & R. A. Fisher & X. Jiang, 2016. "Addendum: Multi-scale predictions of massive conifer mortality due to chronic temperature rise," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(11), pages 1048-1048, November.
    3. N. G. McDowell & A. P. Williams & C. Xu & W. T. Pockman & L. T. Dickman & S. Sevanto & R. Pangle & J. Limousin & J. Plaut & D. S. Mackay & J. Ogee & J. C. Domec & C. D. Allen & R. A. Fisher & X. Jiang, 2016. "Multi-scale predictions of massive conifer mortality due to chronic temperature rise," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(3), pages 295-300, March.
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