Heat tolerance and its seasonal acclimation in Fagus sylvatica compared to Fagus orientalis and Pseudotsuga menziesii

Heat tolerance determines the vitality of tree species under climate change independently of drought tolerance, but has been much less studied than tree water relations. We studied species-specific differences and the capacity for seasonal heat acclimation in Central Europe’s naturally most important tree species, Fagus sylvatica , in comparison with two exotic tree species ( Fagus orientalis , Pseudotsuga menziesii ) that are considered for silvicultural climate change adaptation in managed forests. Foliage of mature trees was incubated at temperatures from 35-50 °C for up to 4 h to simulate daily heat maxima during heat waves. The maximum quantum yield ( F _v / F _m ) of photosystem II (PS II) of dark-adapted leaves was measured, because the PS II is particularly sensitive to heat and its functionality can decide on plant survival under heat.

Fagus sylvatica was much more tolerant to heat than Pseudotsuga menziesii , but weakly (albeit significantly) less tolerant than Fagus orientalis . Within its limits, Pseudotsuga menziesii showed high seasonal heat acclimation with constantly increasing tolerance during the growing season. Fagus orientalis , but practically not Fagus sylvatica , also acclimated to heat. This makes Fagus orientalis slightly superior over Fagus sylvatica in terms of heat tolerance, whereas the suitability of Pseudotsuga menziesii for silvicultural climate change adaptation is questionable. Strong heat acclimation, but also overall low heat tolerance, in Pseudotsuga menziesii might be the result of evergreenness, which requires the generation of both cold and heat tolerance during the year.