Seasonal Differences in Ecophysiological Performance between Resprouters and Non-Resprouters across an Aridity Gradient in Northwest Tunisia

Khaoula Nefzi (), Jordi Voltas, Bochra Bejaoui Kefi, Mokhtar Baraket, Touhami Rzigui, Patrick Martin, Naceur M’Hamdi, Kamel Msaada and Zouhair Nasr
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Khaoula Nefzi: National Research Institute of Rural Engineering, Water and Forests (INRGREF), LR11INRGREF0 Laboratory of Management and Valorization of Forest Resources, Carthage University, Ariana 2080, Tunisia
Jordi Voltas: Department of Crop and Forest Sciences, School of Agrifood and Forestry Engineering and Veterinary, University of Lleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain
Bochra Bejaoui Kefi: National Institute of Research and Pysico-Chemical Analysis (INRAP), Laboratory of Useful Materials, Technopark of Sidi Thabet, Ariana 2020, Tunisia
Mokhtar Baraket: National Research Institute of Rural Engineering, Water and Forests (INRGREF), LR11INRGREF0 Laboratory of Management and Valorization of Forest Resources, Carthage University, Ariana 2080, Tunisia
Touhami Rzigui: Institute Sylvo-Pastoral of Tabarka, University of Jendouba, Tabarka 8189, Tunisia
Patrick Martin: Unité Transformations & Agroressources, ULR7519, Université d’Artois-Uni LaSalle, 62408 Bethune, France
Naceur M’Hamdi: Research Laboratory of Ecosystems & Aquatic Resources, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, Carthage University, 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, Tunis 1082, Tunisia
Kamel Msaada: Laboratory of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Biotechnology Center, Borj-CedriaTechnopark, BP. 901, Hammam-Lif 2050, Tunisia
Zouhair Nasr: National Research Institute of Rural Engineering, Water and Forests (INRGREF), LR11INRGREF0 Laboratory of Management and Valorization of Forest Resources, Carthage University, Ariana 2080, Tunisia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-18

Abstract: Understanding the functioning of shrub species during dry periods is necessary to forecast ecosystem responses to future climates, particularly in Mediterranean environments. We evaluated the seasonal changes in leaf gas exchange, hydraulic traits, carbon and nitrogen isotopes, and non-structural carbohydrates of seeders and resprouting shrub species typical of Aleppo pine forests across an aridity gradient in Tunisia: Djebel Zaghouan (subhumid climate), Djebel Mansour (semiarid transitional climate), and Djebel El Sarj (semi-arid climate). We monitored seven woody species: Pistacia lentiscus , Erica multiflora, Phillyrea latifolia (resprouters), Cistus monspeliensis, Rosmarinus officinalis (seeders), Globularia alypum, and Calicotome villosa (resprouters-seeders). The seasonal variation in leaf water content was usually higher in seeders than in resprouters and was associated with higher resistance to embolism. In contrast, the seasonal variation in non-structural carbohydrates was higher in resprouters, especially at the driest site. Both δ 13 C and δ 15 N displayed seasonal enrichment-depletion patterns, with seeders showing an overall higher δ 13 C in summer than in spring, consistent with a water-saving strategy of increasing water use efficiency. Discriminant analysis suggested that resprouters can sustain a positive carbon balance during drought periods. The differential impact of summer droughts on water status and the ecophysiology of these plant strategies may lead to different ecosystem dynamics depending on whether climate change tips the balance towards a preponderance of stressors (drought) or disturbances (fire) in dry Mediterranean areas.

Keywords: resprouters; non-resprouters; photosynthesis; non-structural carbohydrates; carbon isotopes; nitrogen isotopes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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