Cambial activity; Carbon sequestration; Central Africa forests; Lignification; Secondary growth; Wood anatomy; Xylogenesis; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Ecology; Nature and Landscape Conservation
Abstract :
[en] The tropical forests of the Congo Basin biome are particularly diverse. The question arises whether the cambial activity of the multitude of tree species shows a periodic signal. Given the anticipated increases in temperature and changes in precipitation patterns, these forests may face significant threats impacting tree growth and carbon sequestration, highlighting the need for studies on cambial dynamics and their resistance adaptability to climate change. This study examines cambial phenology in two semi-deciduous rainforests in the Democratic Republic of Congo, each with a different precipitation pattern. The research focused on the temporal dynamics of cambial cell production and maturation in relation to tree morphological traits, leaf phenology, reproductive traits, and climatic variables. Biweekly microcores were taken from 30 trees across 10 species, and radius dendrometer data from 59 trees in 20 species complemented the study. Microsections were analyzed to identify cambial activity, supported by measured stem diameter variations. Results: revealed complex cambial dynamics without patterns of low cambial activity across or within species. Some species showed irregular cycles of activity, while others were continuously active, suggesting high resilience. Trees from the site with a defined dry season (Luki) were more responsive to temperature and precipitation, potentially increasing their vulnerability to climate change. In contrast, tree growth from the less seasonal site of Yangambi is strongly driven by internal dynamics, influenced by morphological and reproductive traits.
Disciplines :
Agriculture & agronomy Environmental sciences & ecology Phytobiology (plant sciences, forestry, mycology...) Life sciences: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
Luse Belanganayi, Basile ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech > Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech ; Service of Wood Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Tervuren, Belgium ; Faculté des Sciences, Université Officielle de Ruwenzori, Butembo, Democratic Republic Congo ; Laboratoire de Biologie du Bois, Institut National pour l'Etude et la Recherche Agronomiques, Yangambi, Democratic Republic Congo
Phaka, Christophe Mbungu; Institut National pour l'Etude et la Recherche Agronomiques, Democratic Republic Congo
Djiofack, Brice Yannick; Service of Wood Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Tervuren, Belgium ; Laboratoire de Biologie du Bois, Institut National pour l'Etude et la Recherche Agronomiques, Yangambi, Democratic Republic Congo ; Laboratory of Wood Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Gent University, Ghent, Belgium
Laurent, Félix; Service of Wood Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Tervuren, Belgium ; Laboratoire de Biologie du Bois, Institut National pour l'Etude et la Recherche Agronomiques, Yangambi, Democratic Republic Congo ; Laboratory of Wood Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Gent University, Ghent, Belgium
Liévens, Kévin; Service of Wood Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Tervuren, Belgium ; Laboratoire de Biologie du Bois, Institut National pour l'Etude et la Recherche Agronomiques, Yangambi, Democratic Republic Congo
Luambua, Nestor K.; Service of Wood Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Tervuren, Belgium ; Laboratoire de Biologie du Bois, Institut National pour l'Etude et la Recherche Agronomiques, Yangambi, Democratic Republic Congo ; Laboratory of Wood Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Gent University, Ghent, Belgium ; Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université Officielle de Mbujimayi, Mbujimayi, Democratic Republic Congo
Bolaya, Trésor; Laboratoire de Biologie du Bois, Institut National pour l'Etude et la Recherche Agronomiques, Yangambi, Democratic Republic Congo
Bourland, Nils ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Forêts, Nature et Paysage > Laboratoire de Foresterie des régions tropicales et subtropicales ; Le Centre d'Analyse des Risques du Changement climatique (CERAC), Brussels, Belgium
Hubau, Wannes; Service of Wood Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Tervuren, Belgium ; Laboratoire de Biologie du Bois, Institut National pour l'Etude et la Recherche Agronomiques, Yangambi, Democratic Republic Congo ; Laboratory of Wood Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Gent University, Ghent, Belgium
Beeckman, Hans; Service of Wood Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Tervuren, Belgium
De Mil, Tom ; Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre > Gestion des ressources forestières
Language :
English
Title :
Timing of cambial phenology of rainforest trees as indicator of climate sensitivity of the Congo Basin biome
This research was carried out thanks to a grant awarded by the Royal Museum for Central Africa within the framework of the PilotMAB project, which is funded by the Belgian Directorate General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD).
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