Abstract
The ongoing increase in human population and the subsequent freshwater demands raise conflicts regarding conservation of riparian ecosystems. Identifying anthropogenic effects on these vulnerable nature resources is crucial for preventing future damages. Here we measured tree-ring width and isotopic carbon composition (δ13C) in stem wood of protected Platanus orientalis trees at the Kziv Nature Reserve, a Mediterranean riparian ecosystem in northern Israel. In this reserve, water was pumped for human needs during 1976–2006 from the major spring feeding the stream. We show a negative exponential correlation between stem growth and pumped water amounts. Spring drawdown had a significant negative effect on growth even in years when amounts were reduced to ~2 ∙ 106 m3 year−1, leveling off at around 5 ∙ 106 m3 year−1. Precipitation and spring volume effects on growth were exposed only after pumping stopped, further indicating its role in inhibiting tree growth. During the pumping years, stem wood δ13C was up to 1.8‰ higher than after pumping cessation, indicating the drought stress imposed on trees. Our results provide an unequivocal evidence for the adverse effect of water pumping on riparian Platanus orientalis tree growth. Such effects, and their related tree mortality risk, must be considered in sustainable water management planning.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 117784 |
| Journal | Forest Ecology and Management |
| Volume | 458 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 15 Feb 2020 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2019 Elsevier B.V.
Funding
The authors thank Dr. Amit Dolev of Israel Nature reserves and Parks Authority for providing access to the Kziv Nature Reserve; Gregori Berenshtain and Rita Chudinov from the Israel Water Authority for providing water pumping volume data; Dr. Orit Skutelsky from the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) for helping with data and reports on the Betzet Nature Reserve; Ido Rog and Mor Tsamir (WIS Tree Lab) for their help with the δ 13 C measurements and core sampling, respectively. The project was funded in part by the Weizmann Sustainability and Alternative Energy Initiative (SAERI). The Weizmann Tree Lab wishes to thank the Merle S. Cahn Foundation and the Monroe and Marjorie Burk Fund for Alternative Energy Studies; Mr. and Mrs. Norman Reiser, together with the Weizmann Center for New Scientists; and the Edith & Nathan Goldberg Career Development Chair. The authors thank Dr. Amit Dolev of Israel Nature reserves and Parks Authority for providing access to the Kziv Nature Reserve; Gregori Berenshtain and Rita Chudinov from the Israel Water Authority for providing water pumping volume data; Dr. Orit Skutelsky from the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) for helping with data and reports on the Betzet Nature Reserve; Ido Rog and Mor Tsamir (WIS Tree Lab) for their help with the δ13C measurements and core sampling, respectively. The project was funded in part by the Weizmann Sustainability and Alternative Energy Initiative (SAERI). The Weizmann Tree Lab wishes to thank the Merle S. Cahn Foundation and the Monroe and Marjorie Burk Fund for Alternative Energy Studies; Mr. and Mrs. Norman Reiser, together with the Weizmann Center for New Scientists; and the Edith & Nathan Goldberg Career Development Chair. The study was performed by AB and designed by TK. LR assisted in tree-ring analysis, and JMS helped in tree coring and preparation. AB and TK wrote the paper, with contributions from EB and LR.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Dr. Amit Dolev of Israel Nature reserves and Parks Authority | |
| Israel Water Authority | |
| SAERI | |
| Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel | |
| Weizmann Sustainability and Alternative Energy Initiative | |
| Merle S. Cahn Foundation |
Keywords
- Anthropogenic effects
- Dendrochronology
- Isotopic carbon composition (δC)
- Riparian
- Water management
- Water pumping
