Xylem function and climate adaptation in Pinus

The distribution of species is determined in part by their functional traits. One important function is the ability of xylem to supply water to leaves and withstand water-stress-induced cavitation. These hydraulic traits are hypothesized to have evolved in response to selection by precipitation and temperature. •

We grew 26 species in the genus Pinus in a common environment and used phylogenetic comparative methods to examine whether the evolution of seedling hydraulic and wood density traits were associated with the climate of the extant geographic range of the species. We also examined whether these traits were correlated with each other, with integrated water-use efficiency (WUE), and with plant growth. •

Contrary to predictions from a hydraulic model, we found no association between stem hydraulic conductivity (K(S)) and precipitation, even though there was substantial variation for K(S) in the genus. Nevertheless, K(S) was positively correlated with temperature, plant biomass, and WUE. Wood density was infrequently associated with climate or correlated with other traits except for plant biomass. •

Reduced K(S) in cold climates, if associated with reduced conduit diameter, likely evolved to increase resistance to freezing-induced xylem cavitation. The absence of a K(S)-precipitation relationship among Pinus seedlings suggests that associations between hydraulic traits and precipitation found in adult trees arise through plastic responses to moisture availability and/or develop over ontogeny. The weak association among wood density, climate, and other traits suggest that this trait does not contribute to climate adaptation in Pinus.