Growth, earlywood anatomy and wood nutrients respond to precipitation and flow in semi-arid riparian tamarisk forests

Abstract

Riparian forests from semi-arid regions with saline soils are dominated by facultative phreatophytes such as tamarisks (Tamarix spp.). Tamarisks tolerate drought and salt stress by using shallow and deep soil water sources depending on precipitation and flow variability in ephemeral or permanent streams. Therefore, their radial growth and wood anatomy would differently respond to precipitation and drought severity depending on stream ephemerality. To assess these responses, tree-ring-width, earlywood anatomy and sapwood nutrient concentrations were measured in five riparian tamarisk stands located in semi-arid north-eastern Spain. These sites experienced different aridity degrees and were located near ephemeral (e.g., Lanaja-dry site) or permanent streams in intensively irrigated agricultural areas (e.g., Valcuerna). Tree rings were widest in Peñaflor (2.94 mm) and narrowest in the driest Lanaja-dry site (1.11 mm), where tree-to-tree growth coherence was higher than in the other sites. Wet conditions during the water year enhanced growth, particularly in the most responsive Lanaja-dry site and in Lopín, whereas elevated flow increased the earlywood hydraulic diameter in Valcuerna. In the Lanaja-dry site, Ca, Cu, K and Mn wood concentrations were higher than in Valcuerna, but C and N concentrations were lower. Elevated Ca wood concentrations correspond to higher drought stress in the Lanaja-dry site, whereas higher N concentrations reflect eutrophication due to extensive use of agricultural fertilizers in Valcuerna. In sites near permanent streams such as Valcuerna, depth to groundwater may be a more robust proxy of growth than in drier sites located near more ephemeral streams such as Lanaja-dry site where tamarisk growth is constrained by 12-month long spring droughts.