Species-independent down-regulation of leaf photosynthesis and respiration in response to shading: evidence from six temperate tree species.

ABSTRACT: The ability to down-regulate leaf maximum net photosynthetic capacity (Amax) and dark respiration rate (Rdark) in response to shading is thought to be an important adaptation of trees to the wide range of light environments that they are exposed to across space and time. A simple, general rule that accurately described this down-regulation would improve carbon cycle models and enhance our understanding of how forest successional diversity is maintained. In this paper, we investigated the light response of Amax and Rdark for saplings of six temperate forest tree species in New Jersey, USA, and formulated a simple model of down-regulation that could be incorporated into carbon cycle models. We found that full-sun values of Amax and Rdark differed significantly among species, but the rate of

SUBMITTER: Chen A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3984078 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature