Influence of experimental snow removal on root and canopy physiology of sugar maple trees in a northern hardwood forest

摘要: Due to projected increases in winter air temperatures the northeastern USA over next 100 years, snowpack is expected decrease depth and duration, thereby increasing soil exposure freezing temperatures. To evaluate potential physiological responses of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) a reduced snowpack, we measured root injury, foliar cation carbohydrate concentrations, woody shoot levels, terminal lengths trees snow manipulation experiment New Hampshire, USA. Snow was removed from treatment plots for first 6 weeks two consecutive resulting lower 50 cm both winters compared reference with an undisturbed snowpack. Visibly uninjured roots removal had significantly higher (but sub-lethal) levels relative electrolyte leakage than plots. Foliar calcium: aluminum (Al) molar ratios were lower, Al concentrations higher, also growth increased starch concentrations. Our results are consistent previous research implicating as cause acidification that leads imbalances, but show this translates into altered pools, changes soluble structural carbon pools trees. Increased due could exacerbate imbalances already caused by acidic deposition, have widespread implications forest health