Stomatal conductance relates to sagebrush transplant survival across planting season and size-class

Authors: Copeland, Stella; Hamerlynck, Erik; HOLFUS, CORINNA - Oregon State University; CAMPBELL, EMMA - Former ARS Employee; Boyd, Chad

Submitted to: Rangeland Ecology and Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/27/2021
Publication Date: 10/31/2021
Citation: Copeland, S.M., Hamerlynck, E.P., Holfus, C., Campbell, E., Boyd, C.S. 2021. Stomatal conductance relates to sagebrush transplant survival across planting season and size-class. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 80:26-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2021.09.008.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2021.09.008

Interpretive Summary: Post-fire restoration of sagebrush steppe is limited by poor sagebrush establishment from seed. Transplanting may improve seedling establishment, but requires more labor and expense. Variable transplant survival in Wyoming big sagebrush suggests establishing links between weather and survival outcomes could significantly improve transplant efficacy. Transplant size (age at planting) and seasonal timing for planting are two restoration practices likely to affect seedling survival across a range of environmental conditions. We tested how planting season and transplant age (size) related to transplant survival and stomatal conductance, an indicator of seedling ecophysiological performance. We found low mean conductance during key periods in spring and early summer was associated with subsequent growing season mortality across all size-classes. Overall, these findings suggest managers should consider the importance of key stressful periods in evaluating transplant survival.

Technical Abstract: Postfire restoration of sagebrush steppe is limited by poor sagebrush establishment from seed. Trans- planting may improve seedling establishment, but it requires more labor and expense. Given variable transplant survival in big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata Nutt.), establishing links between restoration practices and survival related to exposure to adverse weather, via plant response to stress, could signifi- cantly improve transplant efficacy. We tested how planting season and transplant age (size), two restora- tion practices likely to affect seedling survival across a range of environmental conditions, related to transplant survival and stomatal conductance, an indicator of seedling ecophysiological performance. We found low mean stomatal conductance during key periods in spring and early summer was associated with subsequent growing season mortality across all size-classes. Overall, these findings suggest man- agers should consider the importance of plant performance during key stressful periods in evaluating transplant survival related to restoration methods.