Study of functional and physiological response of co-occurring shrub species to the Mediterranean climate
Joint Authors
Ciccarelli, Daniela
Bottega, Stefania
Spanò, Carmelina
Source
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
Issue
Vol. 26, Issue 7 (30 Nov. 2019), pp.1668-1675, 8 p.
Publisher
Publication Date
2019-11-30
Country of Publication
Saudi Arabia
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Topics
Abstract EN
The Mediterranean basin is characterised by increasingly dry summers and the study of the adaptive traits developed by plants living in this stressful environment is of great interest, also in relation to climate projections for this area.
Cistus monspeliensis, Myrtus communis and Phillyrea angustifolia are three co-occurring shrubs typical of the Mediterranean maquis.
Their functional and physiological parameters were studied in spring, summer and autumn in order to highlight adjustments of these traits and to test eventual different adaptive strategies.
Soil and leaf chemical characteristics were determined in the different seasons.
Leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, succulence index, pigment contents hydric status and main markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant response were detected.
The stressful summer season induced disturbance in hydric balance, decrease in succulence index and chlorophyll content and high contents of hydrogen peroxide.
Thanks to higher enzymatic activities and total glutathione content, in the two evergreen species M.
communis and P.
angustifolia oxidative damage remained at levels equal to or lower than the other seasons.
Only in the semideciduous C.
monspeliensis both functional and biochemical traits showed a higher stress condition in summer.
The higher stability of functional traits in the two evergreen species may be explained by the sclerophyllous nature of their leaves.
Four environmental variables – Tmax, Tmin, soil conductivity and organic matter – mostly influenced NMDS segregation of these species.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Ciccarelli, Daniela& Bottega, Stefania& Spanò, Carmelina. 2019. Study of functional and physiological response of co-occurring shrub species to the Mediterranean climate. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences،Vol. 26, no. 7, pp.1668-1675.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-910292
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Ciccarelli, Daniela…[et al.]. Study of functional and physiological response of co-occurring shrub species to the Mediterranean climate. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences Vol. 26, no. 7 (Nov. 2019), pp.1668-1675.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-910292
American Medical Association (AMA)
Ciccarelli, Daniela& Bottega, Stefania& Spanò, Carmelina. Study of functional and physiological response of co-occurring shrub species to the Mediterranean climate. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. 2019. Vol. 26, no. 7, pp.1668-1675.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-910292
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references : p. 1674-1675
Record ID
BIM-910292