Stomatal frequency of Quercus glauca from three material sources shows the same inverse response to atmospheric pCO2.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The inverse correlation between atmospheric CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) and stomatal frequency in many plants has been widely used to estimate palaeo-CO2 levels. However, apparent discrepancies exist among the obtained estimates. This study attempts to find a potential proxy for palaeo-CO2 concentrations by analysing the stomatal frequency of Quercus glauca (section Cyclobalanopsis, Fagaceae), a dominant species in East Asian sub-tropical forests with abundant fossil relatives.

Methods

Stomatal frequencies of Q. glauca from three material sources were analysed: seedlings grown in four climatic chambers with elevated CO2 ranging from 400 to 1300 ppm; extant samples collected from 14 field sites at altitudes ranging from 142 to 1555 m; and 18 herbarium spec

SUBMITTER: Hu JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6612940 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature