INVESTIGADORES
GONZALEZ Carina Veronica
artículos
Título:
Fire damage to cambium affects localized xylem anatomy and hydraulics: the case of Nothofagus pumilio in Patagonia
Autor/es:
MUNDO, IGNACIO A.; GONZÁLEZ, CARINA V.; STOFFEL, MARKUS; BALLESTEROS-CÁNOVAS, JUAN A.; VILLALBA, RICARDO
Revista:
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
Editorial:
BOTANICAL SOC AMER INC
Referencias:
Lugar: St. Louis; Año: 2019
ISSN:
0002-9122
Resumen:
PREMISE: Fire scars on trees are created by excessive heat from a fire that kills the vascularcambium. Although, fires are one of the most important forest disturbances in Patagonia,the effects of fire on tree physiology and wood anatomy are still unknown. In this study, wehypothesized that abnormal functioning of the cambium after a fire will induce anatomicalchanges in the wood. We also assumed that these anatomical changes would affect xylemsafety transport.METHODS: We quantified wood anatomical traits in Nothofagus pumilio, the dominantsubalpine tree species of Patagonia, using two approaches: time and distance. In the first,anatomical changes in tree rings were compared before, during, and after fire occurrence.In the second, the spatial extent of these changes was evaluated with respect to thewound by measuring anatomical traits in sampling bands in two directions (0° and 45°)with respect to the onset of healing.RESULTS: Reductions in lumen diameter and vessel number were the most conspicuouschanges associated with fire damage and observed in the fire ring and subsequentpost-fire rings. In addition, the fire ring had more rays than in control rings. In terms ofdistance, anatomical changes were only restricted to short distances from the wound.CONCLUSIONS: Post-fire changes in wood anatomical traits were confined close to thewound margins. These changes might be associated with a defense strategy related to thecompartmentalization of the wound and safety of water transport.