Responses of European beech (Fagus sylvatica, L.) to drought

European beech is one of the most popular broad-leaves species in Central Europe, and has a important role of economics and ecology. This study tried to explore responses of this species to drought. Anatomical, physiological and molecular responses were studied in order to understand the mechanism by which this species copes with water deficiency. The results of this research showed that beech (mature and young trees) showed different strategies to deal with low precipitation and drought stress: (1) Beech from dry site exhibited a drought avoidance strategy: Anatomical changes, leaf area, closed leaf stoma (¿13C¿ signatures), rapid stomatal closure, maintenance of higher leaf RWC and ¿, (2) Beech from moist site showed a drought avoidance strategy: slow decline in stomatal conductance, stronger decrease of ¿, higher REL, higher expression levels of ABA- and stress-related genes. The drought tolerant type of beech was better endowed to cope with severe drought.