Wisdom Talk #73: Hydraulic Structure and Function Largely Determine Ecological Performance of Plants

Language: English

Speaker: Prof. Kun-Fang Cao, Guangxi University Forest College
Kun-Fang Cao received his Ph.D. from Wageningen Agricultural University (Netherlands) in 1995,
followed by postdoctoral research in Japan and Brunei. He held positions at Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangxi University's College of Forestry, serving as Honorary Dean and Dean. His focuses on plant ecophysiology including plant hydraulics, sap flow, stomatal regulation, photosynthesis and photoprotection. He has supervised 35 Ph.D. students, authored 200 international peer-reviewed and 86 Chinese journal publications, and served on multiple international and Chinese journal editorial boards.

Abstract:
I will first introduce some theories, concepts, and main structure related to plant hydraulics and then show some findings of our own studies. Our studies showed leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf) or branch hydraulic conductivity (Ks) were correlated positively with leaf photosynthetic rate in tropical plants. Ks was correlated negatively with leaf longevity and xylem embolism resistance and positively correlated with long-term mean growth rate in tropical trees. Root pressure was very strongly and positively correlated with maximum height in bamboos. Xylem embolism resistance was correlated positively with seedling survival rate in an experimental plantation in a subtropical bare slope and negatively with top die-back and mortality rates of evergreen savanna woody species and mortality rate of trees of tropical seasonal rainforests after repeated severe droughts. Our studies have demonstrated that hydraulic structure and function play major roles in determining ecological performance of plants. Finally I will point out some perspectives for future study.

This talk is organised by the Centre of Excellence for One Health and Environmental Sustainability