Background and Aims Global climate change is intensifying the co-occurrence of abiotic stresses, particularly combined waterlogging/submergence and salinity, posing severe and escalating threats to woody plant ecosystems critical for biodiversity, carbon storage, and soil stabilization. Despite extensive research on herbaceous species, understanding of woody plant responses remains fragmented and disproportionately focused on specific groups like mangroves and halophytes. This review aims to synthesize and critically evaluate the current state of knowledge on the integrated physiological, morphological, and molecular responses of diverse woody plants to this challenging combined stress scenario. Methods A comprehensive synthesis and analysis of existing scientific literature was conducted. This involved systematically examining empirical studies, comparative analyses, and theoretical frameworks related to the responses of various woody plant species to the concurrent application of waterlogging/submergence and salinity stress, drawing comparisons to single-stress effects and herbaceous model systems. Results The majority of woody plants exhibit synergistic, more detrimental effects under combined stress compared to either stress alone. Key manifestations include significantly heightened inhibition of photosynthesis, severe disruption of ion (particularly Na⁺ and Cl⁻) homeostasis leading to toxicity, and exacerbated oxidative damage. Woody plants utilize core stress tolerance mechanisms analogous to herbaceous species, such as ion exclusion/compartmentalization, activation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, and osmotic adjustment via compatible solute accumulation. Crucially, they also deploy distinctive structural and long-term adaptive strategies, including the development of specialized organs (pneumatophores, hypertrophic lenticels), deep root systems for accessing less saline groundwater, and physiological acclimation processes leveraging their perennial nature. Nevertheless, critical knowledge gaps persist, particularly concerning the underlying molecular signaling networks, the mechanisms of long-term adaptation over years/decades, and the specific responses of mature trees in natural ecosystems. Conclusion Significant gaps hinder a comprehensive understanding of how woody plants cope with combined waterlogging/submergence and salinity stress. To advance fundamental knowledge and inform effective ecological restoration strategies for climate-resilient landscapes, future research must prioritize the application of integrated multi-omics approaches (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics), the development of high-efficiency genetic transformation techniques for recalcitrant woody species, the deployment of advanced high-throughput phenotyping platforms, and crucially, long-term field-based studies simulating realistic future stress scenarios.

Combined waterlogging/Submergence and salinity stress in woody plants: Current understanding and future perspectives

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年6月10日

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Chen Yanhong,
Yang Zhenkun,
Zhang Jian

摘要

Background and Aims

Global climate change is intensifying the co-occurrence of abiotic stresses, particularly combined waterlogging/submergence and salinity, posing severe and escalating threats to woody plant ecosystems critical for biodiversity, carbon storage, and soil stabilization. Despite extensive research on herbaceous species, understanding of woody plant responses remains fragmented and disproportionately focused on specific groups like mangroves and halophytes. This review aims to synthesize and critically evaluate the current state of knowledge on the integrated physiological, morphological, and molecular responses of diverse woody plants to this challenging combined stress scenario.

Methods

A comprehensive synthesis and analysis of existing scientific literature was conducted. This involved systematically examining empirical studies, comparative analyses, and theoretical frameworks related to the responses of various woody plant species to the concurrent application of waterlogging/submergence and salinity stress, drawing comparisons to single-stress effects and herbaceous model systems.

Results

The majority of woody plants exhibit synergistic, more detrimental effects under combined stress compared to either stress alone. Key manifestations include significantly heightened inhibition of photosynthesis, severe disruption of ion (particularly Na⁺ and Cl⁻) homeostasis leading to toxicity, and exacerbated oxidative damage. Woody plants utilize core stress tolerance mechanisms analogous to herbaceous species, such as ion exclusion/compartmentalization, activation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, and osmotic adjustment via compatible solute accumulation. Crucially, they also deploy distinctive structural and long-term adaptive strategies, including the development of specialized organs (pneumatophores, hypertrophic lenticels), deep root systems for accessing less saline groundwater, and physiological acclimation processes leveraging their perennial nature. Nevertheless, critical knowledge gaps persist, particularly concerning the underlying molecular signaling networks, the mechanisms of long-term adaptation over years/decades, and the specific responses of mature trees in natural ecosystems.

Conclusion

Significant gaps hinder a comprehensive understanding of how woody plants cope with combined waterlogging/submergence and salinity stress. To advance fundamental knowledge and inform effective ecological restoration strategies for climate-resilient landscapes, future research must prioritize the application of integrated multi-omics approaches (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics), the development of high-efficiency genetic transformation techniques for recalcitrant woody species, the deployment of advanced high-throughput phenotyping platforms, and crucially, long-term field-based studies simulating realistic future stress scenarios.