Understanding minimum leaf conductance in trees: The role of leaky stomata (LeakyLeaf)

• Applicant: Anja Petek Petrik, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Plant Physiology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 561999554

Rising global temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns are key factors influencing forest ecosystems, contributing to widespread forest dieback. However, our ability to predict how future hotter and drier conditions will affect different tree species is limited due to a lack of understanding of key physiological factors that may determine tree survival. One often-overlooked factor is minimum leaf conductance (gmin) - the residual water loss from leaves when stomata are closed during dry and hot conditions, despite its significant role in plant water regulation and survival. This project aims to investigate the variability of gmin across a large set of Central European broadleaf tree species and determine its relationship with leaf morphological and anatomical traits. Additionally, the project will assess how gmin responds to elevated temperatures and explore the contributions of stomatal reopening and changes in cuticular permeability to overall water loss. The study will specifically address the temperature thresholds at which gmin increases and how these thresholds vary across species. By addressing these gaps, this research will enhance our understanding of tree drought resistance and improve predictions of tree mortality under future climate scenarios, ultimately refining models of forest ecosystem responses to climate change.

• DFG Programme: WBP Position