Abstract
The use of stable isotope techniques in forest ecology research has grown steadily over the last two decades. This trend will continue, as stable isotopes can serve as valuable integrators of how plants have interacted, today and in the past, with their physical environment or with other organisms. This is particularly relevant in dry areas due to the strong limitation of resources. After a brief introduction about the theoretical background of stable isotopes in plant physiology, this review highlights recent advances in forest ecology that have embraced this methodology, at different spatial and temporal scales, and with special emphasis on arid and semi-arid systems.
Highlights
At present, the development of useful tools for a complete comprehension of forest system dynamics in response to varying environmental conditions is a key issue in ecology research
We will present the theoretical basis and different applications of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen isotopes as integrative tools in a variety of fields related to forestry, from ecology to forest management through to genetics and palaeoclimatology
This is determining for the observed relationship between d18O/d2H of tree-ring cellulose and precipitation, as it enhances the source-water signal, softening the effect of leaf-level enrichment (Saurer et al, 1997, McCarroll and Loader, 2004)
Summary
El empleo de isótopos estables en el ámbito de la ecología forestal ha ido creciendo progresivamente en las últimas dos décadas. Cabe esperar que esta tendencia se mantenga en el futuro, ya que éstos aportan una visión integradora de cómo las plantas, hoy y en el pasado, han interaccionado con el medio así como con otros organismos. Su implementación es particularmente relevante en climas secos debido a la fuerte limitación de recursos que en ellos acontece. Tras una breve introducción sobre las bases teóricas de los isótopos estables en fisiología vegetal, esta revisión destaca, sobre diferentes escalas espaciales y temporales, los últimos avances en ecología forestal empleando esta metodología y con un énfasis especial en los sistemas áridos y semiáridos. Palabras clave: ecofisiología, d13C, d18O, d2H, sequía, eficiencia en el uso del agua, clima
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