Carbon Transport and Dynamics in Trees

Terrestrial vegetation both takes up and releases carbon to the atmosphere, impacting ecosystem carbon cycles as well as atmospheric CO2 concentration. The uptake and release of carbon is influenced by several environmental factors, with water availability being one of the most important. Recent increases in the frequency and severity of drought events in many areas, and consequent vegetation mortality, have brought limitations in carbon transport, storage and allocation of trees into the spotlight. Emerging data suggests that differences in carbon transport and allocation in trees could have significant impacts on ecosystem responses to climate change at several scales, ranging from single plant survival to whole ecosystem resilience. For example, failure in the carbon transport pathway, the phloem, or reduced access to existing carbon reserves have been identified as possible factors accelerating tree mortality during drought. Similarly, carbon allocation to the roots or root associates might impact recovery from stress.

This Research Topic explores carbon transport and allocation in trees, and how the interactions between carbon, water and nutrient transport impact responses of carbon transport and allocation to environmental stress. We invite authors to report on experimental, observational and modeling studies addressing carbon dynamics and allocation in trees including, but not limited to, studies on cellular-scale carbon dynamics and their impact on whole plant physiology, controls of carbon transport and allocation, and carbon allocation under environmental stress. We welcome submissions of the following article types: Original Research, Review and General Commentary