Aspens 'remember' past drought in their leaves, 3-year experiment finds
Drought is written into trees, appearing as narrow bands in their annual growth rings. But aspen may go farther, creating "functional memories" of previous dry years reflected in the chemistry of their leaves, according to new research by University of Utah biologists.
A recent three-year experiment involving quaking aspen trees has revealed that these trees possess a form of functional memory, which influences the chemical defenses in their leaves based on their past drought experiences. The study, conducted by University of Utah biologists, found that aspen leaves exposed to drought conditions showed higher levels of chemicals known as salicinoid phenolic glycosides, which deter herbivores.
The findings, published in the journal New Phytologist, suggest that drought history leaves a persistent signature in aspen leaf chemistry, altering interactions with herbivores and the fungal communities that inhabit leaves.
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