Morpho-anatomical aterations in leaves of Gagus vatica L. and Quercus ilex L. in different environmental stress condition

By means of anatomical and folier structure observations, this paper examines the ecological behavior of two different species of boardleaf (a mesophile one, beech, and a xerophile one, holm-oak), under different conditions of water supply. The purpose ob this study was to evaluate their response in relation to possible climate changes. The results highlight certain similarities of behaviour (reduction of leaf surface, increased leaf thickness, increase of mechanical structure in xeric stands). The main difference between the two species lies in the tannins content, which increase in the epidermal cells (vacuoles and walls) only in beech trees in xeric conditions.