The variation in climate conditions and fire-related traits across Pinus (Pinaceae) species

Bilei Wang; Dachuan Dai; Dongli Yu; Wuchao Gao; Jian Feng; Shixing Zhou; Yang Liu; Lihua Tu; Dongyu Cao; Congde Huang; Xinhua He; Xinglei Cui

Global Ecology and Conservation (Oct 2024)

The variation in climate conditions and fire-related traits across Pinus (Pinaceae) species

Bilei Wang,
Dachuan Dai,
Dongli Yu,
Wuchao Gao,
Jian Feng,
Shixing Zhou,
Yang Liu,
Lihua Tu,
Dongyu Cao,
Congde Huang,
Xinhua He,
Xinglei Cui

Affiliations

Bilei Wang: National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Dachuan Dai: National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Dongli Yu: National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Wuchao Gao: National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Jian Feng: National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Shixing Zhou: National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 611130, China
Yang Liu: National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 611130, China
Lihua Tu: National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 611130, China
Dongyu Cao: National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Congde Huang: National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 611130, China
Xinhua He: School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Xinglei Cui: National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 611130, China; Corresponding author at: National Forestry and Grassland Administration Engineering Research Centre for Southwest Forest and Grassland Fire Ecological Prevention, College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 54
p. e03152

Abstract

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Fire has long been recognized as a significant evolutionary factor for the genus Pinus (family Pinaceae). Many pine species have developed specific fire-adaptations, such as self-pruning, resprouting, and serotiny, to persist under various fire regimes. Fire-related traits, such as needle length, bark thickness, and plant height, also can affect the survival of pines in fire-prone environments. Investigating the climate conditions of pines and analyzing the variation in fire-adaptations and fire-related traits across pines can provide insights into the evolutionary process of the genus Pinus affected by fire. However, such studies are rare, particularly those focusing on the relationship among environmental conditions, fire-adaptations, and fire-related traits with a large number of pine species. In this study, we explored the variation in climate conditions and fire-related traits (including tree height, bark thickness, and leaf length) between fire-adapted and non-fire-adapted pines, as well as among three fire survival strategies (fire-tolerators, fire-embracers, fire avoiders). We also investigated the relationships between climatic conditions and fire-related traits/fire-adaptations (including resprouting, self-pruning, the grass stage, and serotiny) across the genus Pinus. Sixty-one out of 101 pine species were found to possess one or more fire adaptations and were classified as fire-adapted pines. We found that fire-adapted pines occupy warmer and more fire-prone habitats, and exhibit longer leaves, thicker bark, and taller habits than non-fire-adapted species. Our analysis did not indicate a significant difference between fire tolerators and embracers regarding traits and climate conditions, except that fire-tolerators have thicker bark and are more associated with wildfire-prone areas. Climate conditions appeared to significantly affect fire-related traits/fire-adaptations across the genus Pinus. These findings will facilitate our understanding the evolutionary process of fire adaptations/fire-related traits in the genus Pinus and will guide sustainable fire management in different pine forests.

Published in Global Ecology and Conservation

ISSN: 2351-9894 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General): Ecology
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/global-ecology-and-conservation/

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