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Quercus species differ in water and nutrient characteristics in a resource-limited fall-line sandhill habitat.

We compared co-occurring mature Quercus laevis Walt. (turkey oak), Q. margaretta Ashe (sand post oak) and Q. incana Bartr. (bluejack oak) trees growing in resource-limited sandhill habitats of the southeastern United States for water and nutrient characteristics. The Quercus spp. differed in their distribution along soil water and nutrient gradients, and in their access to and use of water, even though the study year was wetter than average with no mid-season drought. Quercus laevis had the greatest access to soil water (least negative pre-dawn water potential, psi(pd)) and the most conservative water-use strategy based on its relatively low stomatal conductance (g(s)), high instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUE), least negative midday water potential (psy(md)) and high leaf specific hydraulic conductance (K(L)). Quercus margaretta had the least conservative water-use characteristics, exhibiting relatively high g(s), low instantaneous WUE, most negative psi(md), and low K(L). Quercus margaretta also had a low photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency (PNUE), but a high leaf phosphorus concentration. Quercus incana had the poorest access to soil water, but intermediate water-use characteristics and leaf nutrient characteristics more similar to those of Q. laevis. There were no species differences for photosynthesis (A), leaf nitrogen on an area basis, or seasonally integrated WUE (delta13C). Both A and g(s) were positively correlated for each species, but A and g(s) were generally not correlated with psi(pd), psi(md) or delta psi(pd-md). Although we found differences in resource use and resource status among these sandhill Quercus spp., the results are consistent with the interpretation that they are generally drought avoiders. Quercus laevis may have an advantage on xeric ridges because of its greater ability to access soil water and use it more conservatively compared with the other Quercus spp.

Environment↗

Effects of soil and stem base heating on survival, resprouting and gas exchange of Acer and Quercus seedlings.

Acer rubrum L., A. saccharum Marsh., Quercus alba L. and Q. rubra L. seedlings subjected to soil and stem base heat treatments showed rapid declines in rates of transpiration and photosynthesis. Reductions in photosynthetic rate were partly attributable to mesophyll inhibition. Quercus seedlings were less able to maintain transpiration and photosynthesis after heat treatment than Acer seedlings. Declines in rates of transpiration and photosynthesis of Quercus seedlings were observed 1 h after heat treatment and became more pronounced over time. In contrast, rates of transpiration and photosynthesis of Acer seedlings initially declined in response to heat treatment, partially recovered after one or two days, but then declined again six to eight days after the heat treatment. Observed changes in leaf water potential after heating were small, suggesting that hydraulic factors were not the primary signal eliciting the gas exchange response to soil and stem heating. Ultimately, the heat treatments caused stem die-back of most seedlings. For all species, seedlings that resprouted had a greater chance of surviving heat stress than seedlings that did not resprout. Despite the rapid loss of photosynthetic capacity in response to heat treatment in Quercus seedlings, survival was higher in Quercus seedlings than in Acer seedlings, and was associated with a greater capacity for resprouting. We suggest that the reduced allocation of resources toward recovery of photosynthesis in existing Quercus stems after heat stress is a physiological mechanism that facilitates resprouting and hence survival of Quercus seedlings after fire.

Journal Article↗

Phenological behaviour of Quercus in Ourense (NW Spain) and its relationship with the atmospheric pollen season.

Knowing the beginning of the pollen season is of particular importance to people allergic to a given pollen. Phenological studies in combination with aerobiological studies enable us to observe the relationship between the reproductive phenology of the species and their airborne pollen curves. They also enable us to study the relationship between the release of pollen from anthers and its presence in the atmosphere. The objectives of this study are (1) to determine chill and heat requirements for different phenological phases in the Quercus species present in Ourense (Spain), (2) to verify the synchronization between the flowering event and the presence of Quercus pollen in the air, (3) to select the best criterion for determining the onset of the pollen season according to phenological data, and finally, (4) to obtain models enabling us to determine the onset of the pollen season. Pollen monitoring was carried out from 1993 to 2001, by means of a 7-day Lanzoni VPPS pollen trap and, in order to characterize the floral phenophase of different Quercus species, a sampling method was applied from February to June 2001. We observed that climatic and biotic factors can produce a delay in the onset of the pollen season. Temperatures above 8 degrees C and between 6 degrees C to 8 degrees C are good threshold temperatures for estimating chill and heat requirements respectively. Medium-distance transportation of Quercus robur and Quercus pyrenaica pollen from areas 10-30 km away influences the concentrations of Quercus pollen registered in Ourense.

Allergens↗

Free radical scavenging and hepatoprotective actions of Quercus aliena acorn extract against CCl4-induced liver.

In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of Quercus aliena acorn extracts against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, and the mechanism underlying the protective effects. Aqueous extracts of Quercus aliena acorn had higher superoxide radical scavenging activity than other types of extracts. The Quercus aliena acorn extracts displayed dose-dependent superoxide radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 4.92 microg/ml), as assayed by the electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping technique. Pretreatment with Quercus aliena acorn extracts reduced the increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. The hepatoprotective action was confirmed by histological observation. The aqueous extracts reversed CCl4-induced liver injury and had an antioxidant action in assays of FeCl2- ascorbic acid induced lipid peroxidation in rats. Expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) mRNA, as measured by RT-PCR, was significantly decreased in the livers of Quercus aliena acorn-pretreated rats compared with the livers of the control group. These results suggest that the hepatoprotective effects of Quercus aliena acorn extract are related to its antioxidative activity and effect on the expression of CYP2E1.

Animals↗

Anatomical and developmental study of petrified Quercus (Fagaceae) fruits from the Middle Miocene, Yakima Canyon, Washington, USA.

The first reported petrified acorns to show internal anatomical structure are here described from Middle Miocene (∼15.6 million years old) chert of the Columbia River Basalt Group in Yakima Canyon, Washington. Quercus hiholensis Borgardt et Pigg sp. nov. is described from anatomical and morphological fruit features, as well as a little recognized anatomical feature, the umbilical complex. Acorns, each comprising a nut and its cupule, are up to 15.3 mm long and 18.8 mm wide with helically arranged, imbricate, tuberculate cupule scales. They show basal aborted ovules, short styles, broad stigmas, and lack grooves in their cotyledons. These characters and the developmental pattern seen in these fossil acorns demonstrate that Q. hiholensis conforms to genus Quercus (Fagaceae), subgenus Quercus, section Quercus (the white oaks). The correspondence of Q. hiholensis to the modern section Quercus reveals that the derived floral and fruit characters that distinguish section Quercus within the genus had evolved by the Middle Miocene.

Journal Article↗

Comparative mapping between quercus and castanea using simple-sequence repeats (SSRs).

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from Quercus and Castanea were used for comparative mapping between Quercus robur (L.) and Castanea sativa (Mill.). We tested the transferability of SSRs developed in Quercus to Castanea and vice-versa. In total, 47% (25) of the Quercus SSRs and 63% (19) of the Castanea SSRs showed a strong amplification product in the non-source species. From these 44 putative comparative anchor tags, 19 (15 from Quercus and 4 from Castanea) were integrated in two previously established genetic linkage maps for the two genera. SSR loci were sequenced to confirm the orthology of the markers. The combined information from both genetic mapping and sequence analysis were used to determine the homeology between seven linkage groups, aligned on the basis of pairs or triplets of common markers, while two additional groups were matched using a single microsatellite marker. Orthologous loci identified between Q. robur and C. sativa will be useful as anchor loci for comparative mapping studies within the Fagaceae family.

Base Sequence↗

Quercus pollen season dynamics in the Iberian peninsula: response to meteorological parameters and possible consequences of climate change.

The main characteristics of the Quercus pollination season were studied in 14 different localities of the Iberian Peninsula from 1992-2004. Results show that Quercus flowering season has tended to start earlier in recent years, probably due to the increased temperatures in the pre-flowering period, detected at study sites over the second half of the 20th century. A Growing Degree Days forecasting model was used, together with future meteorological data forecast using the Regional Climate Model developed by the Hadley Meteorological Centre, in order to determine the expected advance in the start of Quercus pollination in future years. At each study site, airborne pollen curves presented a similar pattern in all study years, with different peaks over the season attributable in many cases to the presence of several species. High pollen concentrations were recorded, particularly at Mediterranean sites. This study also proposes forecasting models to predict both daily pollen values and annual pollen emission. All models were externally validated using data for 2001 and 2004, with acceptable results. Finally, the impact of the highly-likely climate change on Iberian Quercus pollen concentration values was studied by applying RCM meteorological data for different future years, 2025, 2050, 2075 and 2099. Results indicate that under a doubled CO(2) scenario at the end of the 21st century Quercus pollination season could start on average one month earlier and airborne pollen concentrations will increase by 50 % with respect to current levels, with higher values in Mediterranean inland areas.

Air Pollutants↗

Molecular differentiation and diversity among the California red oaks (Fagaceae; Quercus section Lobatae).

A recent epidemic of Phytopthora (Sudden Oak Death) in coastal woodlands of California is causing severe mortality in some oak species belonging to the red oak (Lobatae) group. To predict the risks of spread of this disease, an understanding of the relationships among California's red oak species and of their population genetic structure is needed. We focus here on relationships among the four species of red oak. Whereas morphological distinction of Quercus wislizeni and Quercus parvula can pose problems, Quercus kelloggii and Quercus agrifolia in pure forms are easily distinguishable from one another and from Q. wislizeni and Q. parvula in the field. However, hybrids among all species combinations are known to occur in nature and these can confound data from ecological studies. Our results revealed greatest differentiation of the deciduous Q. kelloggii, with only weak AFLP fragment differentiation of the three remaining evergreen species. The molecular data suggest a closer affinity of Q. agrifolia with Q. wislizeni and Q. parvula contrary to earlier suggestions that its origins are likely to have been with northern deciduous oaks probably through a common ancestor with Q. kelloggii. Interior and coastal populations of Q. wislizeni separated in dendrograms based on phenetic and genetic distances suggesting probable isolation in different glacial refugia. The position of Q. parvula remains ambiguous, having a closer affinity with interior populations of Q. wislizeni and with Q. agrifolia, than with coastal populations of Q. wislizeni. Mean population differentiation in Q. wislizeni was 0.18, which is somewhat higher than the average for other oak species, suggesting that range fragmentation has occurred in the past, resulting in a metapopulation structure. Our results provide evidence that introgression among these species may be causing reticulation, further confounding species separation. Whereas Phytopthora has been reported on Q. agrifolia, Q. parvula and Q. kelloggii, it has not yet been detected in natural populations of Q. wislizeni. The species relationships that our molecular data show suggest that this is more likely a result of escape due to ecological tolerances than to genetic differences.

California↗

Utility of ITS sequence data for phylogenetic reconstruction of Italian Quercus spp.

Nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences encoding the 5.8S RNA and the flanking internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) were used to test the phylogenetic relationships within 12 Italian Quercus taxa (Fagaceae). Hypotheses of sequence orthology are tested by detailed inspection of some basic features of oak ITS sequences (i.e., general patterns of conserved domains, thermodynamic stability and predicted conformation of the secondary structure of transcripts) that also allowed more accurate sequence alignment. Analysis of ITS variation supported three monophyletic groups, corresponding to subg. Cerris, Schlerophyllodrys (=Ilex group sensu Nixon) and Quercus, as proposed by Schwarz [Feddes Rep., Sonderbeih. D, 1-200]. A derivation of the "Cerris group" from the "Ilex group" is suggested, with Q. cerris sister to the rest of the "Cerris group." Quercus pubescens was found to be sister to the rest of the "Quercus group." The status of hybrispecies of Q. crenata (Q. cerrisxQ. suber) and Q. morisii (Q. ilexxQ. suber) was evaluated and discussed. Finally, the phylogenetic position of the Italian species in a broader context of the genus is presented. The utility of the ITS marker to assess the molecular systematics of oaks is therefore confirmed. The importance of Italy as a region with a high degree of diversity at the population and genetic level is discussed.

Italy↗

[Neighbor diversity and interspecific association of Quercus mongolica].

Neighbor diversity and interspecific association of Quercus mongolica were studied through point sample method. With the increase of plots number, species richness and Shannon-Wiener (H') diversity index increased. At last they came close to fixed value. LS value (average number of neighboring species) was first introduced in this article. Different sits had different PC value (value of interspecific association). According to PC value and LS value, accompany tree and shrub species of Quercus mongolica were determined. The similar environmental requirement and mutualism were the main reason why they live together. The result of interspecific association between Quercus mongolica and other species in 4 locations was analyzed. The reason why the differences existed was that Quercus mongolica studied was in different succession stages.

Ecosystem↗

[Effect of drought stress on apparent resource utilization efficiency of Quercus mongolica].

To study the effect of drought stress on the physiological characteristics and resource utilization efficiency of Quercus mongolica, a dominant species in the Korean pine broad-leaved forest in Changbai Mountain, a comparative experiment was carried out under three soil moisture gradients as 85%-100% (high water, CK), 65%-85% (Medium water, MW), and 45%-65% (low water, LW) of field water-bolding capacity. The results showed that net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conduction, transpiration rate, water utilization efficiency, apparent CO2 utilization efficiency and apparent light utilization efficiency of the seedlings of Quercus mongolica were all significantly influenced by simulated drought stress. Stomatal conduction, water utilization efficiency and net photosynthetic rate of large tress of Quercus mongolica were affected by the soil drought stress, while transpiration rate, apparent CO2 utilization efficiency, and apparent light utilization efficiency were not influenced. Moderate soil water condition could greatly increase gas exchange and water utilization efficiency. These results indicated that the responses of gas exchange and resource utilization efficiency to various water stresses were different. Quercus mongolica was a species with variable resistance to drought stress, and the resistance would be improved by drought stress, especially moderate water stress.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Xylem dysfunction in Quercus: vessel sizes, tyloses, cavitation and seasonal changes in embolism.

The seasonal progression of xylem dysfunction from tyloses and embolism induced both by cavitation and frost was studied in Quercus rubra L. and Quercus alba L. branches. Vessel lengths and diameters were measured in current-year rings of branches of various ages. Vessels in current-year shoots are about the same size as those in many diffuse porous trees, but vessels in older branches are two to six times larger in diameter and typically more than 10 times longer. Large Quercus vessels were more vulnerable to cavitation than small vessels. The small vessels in current-year shoots were more vulnerable to cavitation than vessels of comparable size in diffuse porous species. Earlywood vessels are completely blocked by tyloses within a year of their formation. Tylose growth starts in winter, but the vessels are not fully blocked until the next summer. Many latewood vessels, by contrast, remain free of complete blockage for several years. In Q. rubra, loss of hydraulic conductivity in current-year shoots due to cavitation reaches 20% by August and > 90% after the first hard frost. Both laboratory and field observations confirm that the role of frost in causing loss of hydraulic conduction by embolism is much more dramatic in Quercus than in conifers and diffuse porous hardwoods.

Journal Article↗

Genetic variation of oaks ( Quercus spp.) in Switzerland. 3. Lack of impact of postglacial recolonization history on nuclear gene loci.

Quercus petraea, Quercus pubescens and Quercus robur are closely related and interfertile white oaks native to Switzerland. The three species are known to share identical cpDNA haplotypes, which are indicative of the postglacial recolonization history of populations. Only two haplotypes are common in Switzerland. We compared variation of cpDNA and of isozymes in 28 oak populations from Switzerland in order to assess the impact of the postglacial population history on current genetic structures of nuclear controlled isozyme gene loci. Species delineation was based on Principal Component Analysis of leaf morphological traits. The species status of populations was reflected at isozyme gene loci, but differentiation between populations with different cpDNA haplotypes and hence different recolonization history was very low at enzyme gene loci for all species. Thus, glacial and postglacial population history was not reflected at nuclear gene loci on the temporal and spatial scale covered by the present study. Extensive gene flow through pollen among populations is likely to have blurred a previously existing genetic differentiation at biparentally inherited gene loci that possibly evolved in the different glacial refugia of the above mentioned cpDNA haplotypes.

Alleles↗

Uptake, demand and internal cycling of nitrogen in saplings of Mediterranean Quercus species.

Nitrogen uptake, nitrogen demand and internal nitrogen cycling were studied to address the question of the importance of nutrient storage in Quercus species with contrasting leaf longevities. We carried out this study at the whole-plant level with young trees (2-4 years old) of three Mediterranean Quercus species: the evergreen Q. ilex, the marcescent/evergreen Q. faginea, and the deciduous Q. pyrenaica. Seasonal dynamics of nitrogen in all compartments of the plant were followed for 3 years. Nitrogen losses were measured through litter production, herbivory and fine root shedding. Nitrogen uptake was estimated using increments of nitrogen plant content plus accumulative nitrogen losses. Nitrogen uptake was limited to a few months during late winter and spring. Before budbreak, acquired nitrogen was stored in old-leaf cohorts of evergreen and woody compartments. After budbreak, Quercus species relied first on soil uptake and second on nitrogen retranslocation to supply new growth requirements. However, in most cases we found a high asynchrony between nitrogen demand by growing tissues and soil supply, which determined a strong nitrogen retranslocation up to 88.4% of the nitrogen demand throughout leaf expansion. Except for the first year after planting, the above- and underground woody fractions provided more nitrogen to the new tissues than the old leaf cohorts. Differences in the benefit of nitrogen withdrawn from senescent and old leaves were not found between species. We conclude that sink/source interaction strength was determined by differences between nitrogen demand and uptake, regulating internal nutrient cycling at the whole plant level.

Mediterranean Region↗