Anatomical adjustments of the tree hydraulic pathway decrease canopy conductance under long-term elevated CO2

The cause of reduced leaf-level transpiration under elevated CO2 remains largely elusive. Here, we assessed stomatal, hydraulic, and morphological adjustments in a long-term experiment on Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) seedlings germinated and grown for 22-40 months under elevated (eCO(2); c. 860 ppm) or ambient (aCO(2); c. 410 ppm) CO2. We assessed if eCO(2)-triggered reductions in canopy conductance (g(c)) alter the response to soil or atmospheric drought and are reversible or lasting due to anatomical adjustments by exposing eCO(2) seedlings to decreasing [CO2]. To quantify underlying mechanisms, we analyzed leaf abscisic acid (ABA) level, stomatal and leaf morphology, xylem structure, hydraulic efficiency, and hydraulic safety. Effects of eCO(2) manifested in a strong reduction in leaf-level g(c) (-55%) not caused by ABA and not reversible under low CO2 (c. 200 ppm). Stomatal development and size were unchanged, while stomatal density increased (+18%). An increased vein-to-epidermis distance (+65%) suggested a larger leaf resistance to water flow. This was supported by anatomical adjustments of branch xylem having smaller conduits (-8%) and lower conduit lumen fraction (-11%), which resulted in a lower specific conductivity (-19%) and leaf-specific conductivity (-34%). These adaptations to CO2 did not change stomatal sensitivity to soil or atmospheric drought, consistent with similar xylem safety thresholds. In summary, we found reductions of g(c) under elevated CO2 to be reflected in anatomical adjustments and decreases in hydraulic conductivity. As these water savings were largely annulled by increases in leaf biomass, we do not expect alleviation of drought stress in a high CO2 atmosphere. Increases in atmospheric CO2 can trigger structural modifications in leaves and branches, which contribute to lower leaf-level water loss, but do not affect the drought sensitivity in Aleppo pine.

Automated summary

This study investigated the stomatal, hydraulic, and morphological adjustments of Aleppo pine seedlings under elevated CO2 concentrations. The findings showed that increased CO2 levels significantly reduced leaf transpiration and led to anatomical adjustments, but did not affect drought sensitivity.