Physiological performance of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) at its southeastern distribution limit in Europe: Seasonal changes in nitrogen, carbon and water balance

dc.contributor.author	Nahm, M	en
dc.contributor.author	Radoglou, K	en
dc.contributor.author	Halyvopoulos, G	en
dc.contributor.author	Gessler, A	en
dc.contributor.author	Rennenberg, H	en
dc.contributor.author	Fotelli, MN	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-06-06T06:47:11Z
dc.date.available	2014-06-06T06:47:11Z
dc.date.issued	2006	en
dc.identifier.issn	14358603	en
dc.identifier.uri	http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-2005-872988	en
dc.identifier.uri	http://62.217.125.90/xmlui/handle/123456789/3442
dc.subject	Carbon	en
dc.subject	European beech	en
dc.subject	Nitrogen	en
dc.subject	Southeastern Europe	en
dc.subject	Stable isotopes	en
dc.subject	Water potential	en
dc.subject	Yield	en
dc.subject.other	carbon	en
dc.subject.other	nitrogen	en
dc.subject.other	water	en
dc.subject.other	carbon	en
dc.subject.other	nitrogen	en
dc.subject.other	physiology	en
dc.subject.other	seasonal variation	en
dc.subject.other	water budget	en
dc.subject.other	article	en
dc.subject.other	beech	en
dc.subject.other	climate	en
dc.subject.other	ecosystem	en
dc.subject.other	Europe	en
dc.subject.other	metabolism	en
dc.subject.other	osmotic pressure	en
dc.subject.other	photosynthesis	en
dc.subject.other	physiology	en
dc.subject.other	plant leaf	en
dc.subject.other	plant stem	en
dc.subject.other	season	en
dc.subject.other	tree	en
dc.subject.other	Carbon	en
dc.subject.other	Carbon Isotopes	en
dc.subject.other	Climate	en
dc.subject.other	Ecosystem	en
dc.subject.other	Europe	en
dc.subject.other	Fagus	en
dc.subject.other	Nitrogen	en
dc.subject.other	Osmotic Pressure	en
dc.subject.other	Photosynthesis	en
dc.subject.other	Plant Leaves	en
dc.subject.other	Plant Stems	en
dc.subject.other	Seasons	en
dc.subject.other	Trees	en
dc.subject.other	Water	en
dc.subject.other	Eurasia	en
dc.subject.other	Europe	en
dc.subject.other	Fagus	en
dc.subject.other	Fagus sylvatica	en
dc.title	Physiological performance of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) at its southeastern distribution limit in Europe: Seasonal changes in nitrogen, carbon and water balance	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.identifier.primary	10.1055/s-2005-872988	en
heal.publicationDate	2006	en
heal.abstract	To assess the physiological performance of drought- sensitive European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) under the dry Mediterranean climate prevailing at its southeastern distribution limit in Europe, we analyzed seasonal changes in carbon, nitrogen and water balance of naturally grown adult trees. We determined the foliar C and N contents, δ13C and δ18O signatures, total soluble non-protein nitrogen compounds (TSNN) in xylem, leaves, and phloem, as well as leaf water potential and photosynthetic quantum yield in northern Greece during 2003. Tissue sampling was performed in May, July, and September, while field measurements were conducted regularly. Climatic conditions for the 2003 growing season fall within the typical range of the studied area. The N- and C-related parameters displayed distinct seasonal courses. TSNN was highest in May in all tissues, and asparagine (Asn) was then the most abundant compound. Thereafter, TSNN decreased significantly in all tissues and both its concentration and composition remained constant in July and September. In both months, glutamate (Glu) prevailed in leaves, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in phloem exudates from twigs and trunks, and arginine (Arg) in the xylem sap, where loading with amino acids was rather low during that period, amounting to only 0.8 μmol N ml-1 in September. Highest total foliar N and C contents were detected in May, and the elevated abundance of nutrients as well as an increased foliar δ13C signature at the beginning of the growing season is attributed to remobilization processes. The signatures of δ18O, quantum yield and leaf water potentials varied only slightly throughout the growing season. Although summer precipitation at the study site was considerably lower compared to what is usual for typical central European beech forests, no intensive drought responses of the physiological apparatus were detected in the studied beech trees. This suggests efficient internal regulation mechanisms, constantly ensuring a favourable physiological status under the relatively dry Mediterranean climate. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart.	en
heal.journalName	Plant Biology	en
dc.identifier.issue	1	en
dc.identifier.volume	8	en
dc.identifier.doi	10.1055/s-2005-872988	en
dc.identifier.spage	52	en
dc.identifier.epage	63	en