title: A synthesis of the effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide enrichment on plant hydraulics: implications for whole-plant water use efficiency and resistance to drought.
abstract: Here, we summarize studies on the effects of elevated [CO2] (CO2e) on the structure and function of plant hydraulic architecture and explore the implications of those changes using a model. Changes in conduit diameter and hydraulic conductance due to CO2evary among species. Ring-porous species tend towards an increase in conduit size and consequently conductivity. The effect in diffuse-porous species is much more limited. In conifers, the results are mixed, some species show minor changes in xylem structure, while other studies found increases in tracheid density and diameter. Non-woody plants generally exhibited the reverse pattern with narrower conduits and lower hydraulic conductivity under CO2e. Further, changes in drought-resistance traits suggest that non-woody plants were the most affected by CO2e, which may permit them to better resist drought-induced embolism under future conditions. Due to their complexity, acclimation in hydraulic traits in response to CO2eis difficult to interpret when relying solely on measurements. When we examined how the observed tissues-specific trends might alter plant function, our modelling results suggest that these hydraulic changes would lead to reduced conductance and more frequent drought stress in trees that develop under CO2ewith a more pronounced effect in isohydric than in anisohydric species.
authors.affiliation: Bordeaux Sciences Agro, UMR 1391 INRA-ISPA, 33175, Gradignan Cedex, France.|Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Box 90328, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
authors.forename: Jean-Christophe
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Domec
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
authors.forename: Duncan D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
authors.forename: Kate A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: McCulloh
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization; D001272:Atmosphere; D058506:Cambium / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D003681:Dehydration; D055864:Droughts; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D063245:Plant Development; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D054046:Plant Stomata / Q000502:physiology; D018526:Plant Transpiration / Q000502:physiology; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D014197:Trees / Q000502:physiology; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D052584:Xylem / Q000033:anatomy & histology
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D002245:Carbon Dioxide
keywords: anatomy; anisohydric; cavitation; climate change; elevated CO2; embolism vulnerability; isohydric; transpiration; wood