Abstract Detail

Watertransport in plants at multiple scales: A physiological, ecological, andevolutionary appraisal

Jacobsen, Anna [1], Pratt, Brandon [2], Tobin, Michael [3], Hacke, Uwe [4], Ewers, Frank [5].

Xylem vessel length of woody plants: An ecological and evolutionary analysis.

Vessels are the chief conduit for long distance water transport in the majority of flowering plants. The length of vessels within the xylem is a key trait that determines plant hydraulic function, yet relatively little is known about this xylem feature. We examined previously published studies to generate a new global data set of vessel length in woody plants. These data were used to examine how plant ecology and evolutionary history may influence vessel length, how vessel length relates to other commonly measured vessel traits, and how these data may relate to xylem function. Mean vessel length data were available from similarly sized stem samples from 120 species. Liana species had longer vessels than tree or shrub species. For all species, including long vesselled lianas, most vessels within measured samples were short and there were very few long vessels. Globally, mean vessel length did not vary between species that differed in growth ring porosity. Vessel length was not phylogenetically conserved and differences in vessel length likely represent functional adaptations. Vessel diameter and length can vary independently and may represent independent axes of vessel structural and functional variation. Many traits often assumed to be indicative of vessel length, such as organ, porosity, environment, or vessel diameter, are not generally predictive of vessel length. Vessel data are limited and increased knowledge of vessel length is needed in order to increase our understanding of the structure and function of the plant hydraulic pathway.

Broader Impacts:

1 - California State University Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale Hwy, 61 SCI, Bakersfield, CA, 93311, USA
2 - CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY BAKERSFIELD, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY, 9001 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA, 93311-1099, USA, 310-740-7653
3 - California State University, Bakersfield, Biology, 9001 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA, 93311, USa
4 - University Of Alberta, Department Of Biology, 442 Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E3, Canada
5 - California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Office Of Research, 3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA

Keywords:
vessel diameter
stem hydraulics
vessel length
water relations
cavitation resistance.

Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: SY03
Location: Delaware C/Hyatt
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 4:00 PM
Number: SY03007
Abstract ID:222