Linking stomatal optimization and cohesion tension theory

 

 

Drought limitations to leaf-level gas exchange: results from a model linking stomatal optimization and cohesion tension theory

by Novick K. A., Miniat C. F., Vose J. M. (2015)

in Plant, Cell & Environment: DOI: 10.1111/pce.12657

Accepted Article (Accepted, unedited articles published online and citable. The final edited and typeset version of record will appear in future.)

ABSTRACT

We merge concepts from stomatal optimization theory and cohesion-tension theory to examine the dynamics of three mechanisms that are potentially limiting to leaf-level gas exchange in trees during drought:

a) a ‘demand limitation’ driven by an assumption of optimal stomatal functioning,

b) ‘hydraulic limitation’ of water movement from the roots to the leaves, and

c) ‘non-stomatal’ limitations imposed by declining leaf water status within the leaf.

Model results suggest that species-specific ‘economics’ of stomatal behavior may play an important role in differentiating species along the continuum of isohydric to anisohydric behavior; specifically, we show that non-stomatal and demand limitations may reduce stomatal conductance and increase leaf water potential, promoting wide safety margins characteristic of isohydric species.

We used model results to develop a diagnostic framework to identify the most likely limiting mechanism to stomatal functioning during drought, and showed that many of those features were commonly observed in field observations of tree water use dynamics.

Direct comparisons of modeled and measured stomatal conductance further indicated that non-stomatal and demand limitations reproduced observed patterns of tree water use well for an isohydric species, but that a hydraulic limitation likely applies in the case of an anisohydric species.

See the text: Wiley