The interaction between freezing tolerance and phenology in temperate deciduous trees

Area of Science:

• Plant physiology
• Ecology
• Climate change biology

Background:

• Temperate climates feature significant temperature seasonality and unpredictable weather.
• Trees in these regions must endure cold winters and unpredictable freezing events year-round.
• Survival strategies include cold acclimation, dormancy, and maintaining freezing tolerance during dehardening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the interplay between leaf phenology and species-specific freezing resistance in temperate trees.
• To examine evolutionary adaptations and short-term acclimation mechanisms.
• To assess the impact of climate warming on freeze injury risk.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on plant physiology and phenology.
• Analysis of evolutionary responses to low temperatures.
• Examination of short-term acclimation and re-acclimation in buds.
• Assessment of species-specific phenological responses to environmental cues.

Main Results:

• Temperate trees possess long-term evolutionary adaptations for cold tolerance.
• Short-term acclimation of freezing resistance is vital in dormant and active buds, with re-acclimation possible after warm spells.
• This acclimation ability significantly decreases during leaf emergence.
• Freeze injury risk for native temperate trees is generally low and concentrated in spring.

Conclusions:

• The ability of temperate trees to acclimate to freezing temperatures is dynamic and stage-dependent.
• Climate warming may increase freeze injury risk, particularly if phenological responses to warming cues are species-specific.
• Understanding these adaptations is critical for predicting forest resilience under changing climate conditions.