Plant measurements on African tropical Maesopsis eminii seedlings contradict pioneering water use behaviour

摘要: Abstract With increased drought events affecting forests globally, little is known about their future impact on Africa’s forests. In particular, we need to gain a better understanding of how key African forest species will respond stress. this study, investigated functional traits and physiological responses the light-demanding pioneer Maesopsis eminii Engl. The study involved an experiment potted M. seedlings with three different treatments in which sap flow (SF), stem diameter variation (SDV) stomatal conductance (g s ) were measured. Whereas low g rates (39 ± 30 mmol m −2  s −1 pronounced SF-VPD (vapour pressure deficit) -VPD hysteresis loops during well-watered conditions indicated conservative control water loss, nocturnal implied not able completely block transpiration. At onset drought, retained high growth despite highly reduced soil moisture (>−0.95 ± 0.03 MPa) SF rates, indicating that was prioritised. Contribution stored daily use limited both conditions, confirmed by absence time lags between photosynthetic active radiation (PAR)-SDV, PAR-SF SDV-SF all treatments. Below potential −0.95 ± 0.03 MPa, leaves gradually shed, but diurnal did turn zero, absolute kept decreasing for entire experimental period (115 days), portraying can survive only periods. sum, demonstrated species-specific traits, as opposed ecological strategy, govern performance. For , its leaf proved pivotal