Pacific Northwest Plants Record Multiannual Atmosphere-Ocean Circulation Patterns

Carbon isotope ecology can be used as a measure of plant water stress. Plant water stress is complicated: multiple factors (e.g., evapotranspiration rates, temperature, precipitation, soil texture, and available water) control the magnitude of the isotopic expression. Often, large ocean-atmosphere pressure systems result in the convergence of constructive climate parameters that result in increased plant water stress; for example, El Nino and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) anomaly phases. We examined the biogeochemistry of three species (Thuja plicata: with a Pacific coastal habitat, Thuja occidentalis: native to the Great Lakes region, and Populus tremuloides: a cosmopolitan species found throughout North America). Coincident analyses of these species allowed for intercomparison between plants in habitats directly impacted by atmospheric-oceanic controls on water availability and those out of Pacific impact range. There are oscillatory patterns in the carbon isotope discrimination values (Delta C-13(leaf)) of Thuja plicata, but no clear patterns in Delta C-13(leaf) values of the other species. We compare the pattern in isotope discrimination of T. plicata with Pacific-driven multiannual environmental phenomena to determine whether these patterns could be related to the oscillation in Delta C-13(leaf) values. The data demonstrate a regular and significant 14- to 19-year periodicity, aligning most closely with PDO climate patterns. Thuja plicata likely records prolonged stress, like plant available water shortages, which coincide with PDO-associated shifts in precipitation, humidity, and evapotranspiration. These findings demonstrate that coastal Pacific ecosystems are vulnerable to changes in water availability connected to Pacific teleconnections, providing a new recording tool to examine multiannual climate anomalies.

Automated summary

Carbon isotope ecology can be used as a measure of plant water stress, which is influenced by atmospheric-oceanic controls, particularly those related to the Pacific. The study found oscillatory patterns in the carbon isotope discrimination values of Thuja plicata, indicating prolonged stress, while other species did not show clear patterns. These findings provide insight into the impact of Pacific teleconnections on coastal ecosystems and the potential for multiannual climate anomalies.