Ontogeny, understorey light interception and simulated carbon gain of juvenile rainforest evergreens differing in shade tolerance.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

A long-running debate centres on whether shade tolerance of tree seedlings is mainly a function of traits maximizing net carbon gain in low light, or of traits minimizing carbon loss. To test these alternatives, leaf display, light-interception efficiency, and simulated net daily carbon gain of juvenile temperate evergreens of differing shade tolerance were measured, and how these variables are influenced by ontogeny was queried.

Methods

The biomass distribution of juveniles (17-740 mm tall) of seven temperate rainforest evergreens growing in low (approx. 4 %) light in the understorey of a second-growth stand was quantified. Daytime and night-time gas exchange rates of leaves were also determined, and crown architecture was recorded digitally. YPLANT was

SUBMITTER: Lusk CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3158685 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature