Hydraulic variability of three temperate broadleaf tree species along a water availability gradient in central Europe

Plant hydraulic traits are key for understanding and predicting tree drought responses. Information about the degree of traits’ intra-specific variability may guide selection drought-resistant genotypes is crucial trait-based modelling approaches. For three temperate minor broadleaf species Acer platanoides, Carpinus betulus Tilia cordata, we measured xylem embolism resistance (P50), leaf turgor loss point (PTLP), specific conductivity (KS), Huber values (HVs), safety margins in adult trees across a precipitation gradient. We further quantified trait on different organizational levels (inter-specific to within-canopy variation), analysed its relationship climatic soil water availability. Although observed certain (ITV) safety-related (P50, PTLP) with higher within-tree between-tree than between populations variability, magnitude was small compared inter-specific differences, which explained 78.4% 58.3% variance P50 PTLP, respectively. In contrast, efficiency-related (KS, HV) showed high ITV both within crowns single trees. Surprisingly, all neither driven by nor conclusion, conservatism highlights their potential