Experimental evidence for a thermal limitation of plant cell wall lignification at the alpine treeline

BÜNTGEN, Ulf. Experimental evidence for a thermal limitation of plant cell wall lignification at the alpine treeline. Alpine Botany. Springer, 2023, vol. 133, No 2, p. 179-182. ISSN 1664-2201. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00035-023-00299-0.

Basic information

• Original name: Experimental evidence for a thermal limitation of plant cell wall lignification at the alpine treeline
• Authors: BÜNTGEN, Ulf (276 Germany, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: Alpine Botany, Springer, 2023, 1664-2201.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 10509 Meteorology and atmospheric sciences
• Country of publisher: Switzerland
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• Impact factor: Impact factor: 2.700 in 2022
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14310/23:00131878
• Organization unit: Faculty of Science
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00035-023-00299-0
• UT WoS: 001070859800001
• Keywords in English: Alpine treeline; Biogeography; Blue Rings; Cell walls; Lignin; Tree rings; Wood anatomy; Xylogenesis
• Tags: rivok
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

In their recent article in Alpine Botany (133:63-67, 2023a), Korner et al. revisit the outcome of an interesting experiment from 2009 (Lenz et al., Plant Ecolog Divers 6:365-375, 2013). Although I appreciate the new focus on cell wall lignification, I disagree with their main conclusion. Rather than questioning the role cold temperatures play in cell wall lignification, the authors provide experimental evidence for a thermal threshold under which the secondary cell walls of mountain pines (Pinus uncinata) at the upper treeline in the Swiss Alps exhibit a reduced lignin content.