scholarly journals Carbon gain phenologies of spring‐flowering perennials in a deciduous forest indicate a novel niche for a widespread invader

2018 ◽  
Vol 221 (2) ◽  
pp. 778-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Mason Heberling ◽  
Steven T. Cassidy ◽  
Jason D. Fridley ◽  
Susan Kalisz
Keyword(s):  
2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosangela Catoni ◽  
Loretta Gratani ◽  
Francesco Sartori ◽  
Laura Varone ◽  
Mirko U. Granata

AbstractLeaf trait variations in five deciduous species (Quercus robur, Corylus avellana, Populus alba, Acer campestre, Robinia pseudoacacia) growing in an old broadleaf deciduous forest in response to light variation within the tree crown was analyzed. Net photosynthetic rate (PN), leaf respiration rate (R) and the photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency were, on average, more than 100% higher in sun than in shade leaves. A. campestre and C. avellana sun leaves had the highest specific leaf area (SLA, 156.0 ± 17.9 cm2 g-1) and the lowest total leaf thickness (L, 101.9 ± 8.8 μm) underlining their shade-tolerance. Among the shade-intolerant species (Q. robur, P. alba and R. pseudoacacia), Q. robur had the lowest SLA and the highest L in sun leaves (130.6 ± 10.0 cm2 g-1 and 160.8 ± 9.6 μm, respectively) since shade-intolerant species typically have thicker leaves. The higher PN decrease in respect to R decrease from sun to shade leaves attested the higher sensitivity of PN than R to light variations within the crown. This determined a 69% lower R/PN in sun than in shade leaves. This result is further attested by the significant correlation between PN and the relative photosynthetic photon flux density. The shade-tolerant species have a 76% higher R/PN ratio than the shade-intolerant ones. The measured leaf phenotypic plasticity (PI = 0.35) was in the range of broadleaf deciduous species. Plasticity is a key trait useful to quantify plant response to environmental stimuli. It is defined as the ability of a genotype to produce different phenotypes depending on the environment. Among the considered species, Q. robur showed the highest PI (0.39) and P. alba the lowest (0.29). Knowledge on phenotypic plasticity is important in making hypotheses about the dynamics of the studied forest in consideration of environmental stress factors, including invasive species competition and global climate change.


2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1714-1722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather M. Joesting ◽  
Brian C. McCarthy ◽  
Kim J. Brown

Restoration attempts to reintroduce American chestnut trees to the eastern deciduous forest by means of a disease-resistant Chinese–American hybrid seed are in progress. Knowing the light conditions required for optimum seedling performance is necessary to maximize the success of reintroduction. American chestnut ( Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.) seedlings were planted in two replicate forests in Vinton County, Ohio, in areas that had been thinned (more available light) and in control areas (intact canopy, less available light). The photosynthetic capacity of 12 seedlings per treatment was assessed using an infrared gas-exchange analyzer. Seedlings in the thinned treatment reached light-saturating rates of photosynthesis at an irradiance level approximately 33% higher than did the seedlings in the control treatment. Seedlings grown in the thinned treatment had a significantly greater maximum rate of photosynthesis (Amax), dark respiration rate (Rd), and daily carbon gain per seedling than seedlings grown in the control treatment. The light compensation point (LCP), quantum efficiency (ϕ), leaf mass per area (LMA), and leaf nitrogen concentration per unit leaf area (Narea) were not significantly different between treatments. American chestnut seedlings in the thinned treatment clearly maximize leaf-level photosynthetic capacity. These results will aid land managers in planning reintroduction trials by providing information on the light conditions required for maximum seedling success.


1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 2371-2380 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Matthes-Sears ◽  
D. W. Larson

Thuja occidentalis L. and Acer saccharum Marsh, show mutually exclusive distribution patterns along forested cliff edges of the Niagara Escarpment; T. occidentalis occurs at the cliff edge and on the cliff face, whereas A. saccharum occurs with increasing frequency away from the cliff edge. To reveal the controls of such patterns, seasonal and diurnal courses of net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), and xylem water potential were measured in situ and related to fluctuations in light, temperature, and moisture. For each species, saplings growing in the cedar zone near the cliff edge were compared with saplings growing in the deciduous forest zone farther from the cliff edge on the plateau. The carbon uptake of both species was most often limited by light; limitation by temperature, atmospheric, or soil moisture was rare. Acer saccharum was slightly better adapted than T. occidentalis to growth at the low light levels in both zones because of a greater light-use efficiency. During severe drought, both species showed reductions in Pn and gs when growing near the cliff edge. In the deciduous forest, in contrast, Pn of T. occidentalis, but not A. saccharum, was significantly reduced, suggesting that A. saccharum may outcompete T. occidentalis for water. In the spring and fall, T. occidentalis had higher Pn and gs in the deciduous forest than at the cliff edge. However, all differences in gas exchange rates between trees in the deciduous forest and at the cliff edge were small and relatively rare. During most of the growing season, Pn and gs differed little between saplings in the two zones. This suggests that the pattern of abundance is not controlled to a substantial degree by carbon gain at the sapling stage. Key words: photosynthesis, water potential, Acer saccharum, Thuja occidentalis, plant zonation, cliff–forest ecotone.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 28-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Baranovski

Nowadays, bioecological characteristics of species are the basis for flora and vegetation studying on the different levels. Bioecological characteristics of species is required in process of flora studying on the different levels such as biotopes or phytocenoses, floras of particular areas (floras of ecologically homogeneous habitats), and floras of certain territories. Ramensky scale is the one of first detailed ecological scales on plant species ordination in relation to various environmental factors; it developed in 1938 (Ramensky, 1971). A little later (1941), Pogrebnyak’s scale of forest stands was proposed. Ellenberg’s system developed in 1950 (Ellenberg, 1979) and Tsyganov’s system (Tsyganov, 1975) are best known as the systems of ecological scales on vascular plant species; these systems represent of habitat detection by ecotopic ecomorphs of plant species (phytoindication). Basically, the system proposed by Alexander Lyutsianovich Belgard was the one of first system of plant species that identiified ectomorphs in relation to environmental factors. As early as 1950, Belgard developed the tabulated system of ecomorphs using the Latin ecomorphs abbreviation; he also used the terminology proposed in the late 19th century by Dekandol (1956) and Warming (1903), as well as terminology of other authors. The article analyzes the features of Belgard’s system of ecomorphs on vascular plants. It has certain significance and advantages over other systems of ecomorphs. The use of abbreviated Latin names of ecomorphs in tabular form enables the use shortened form of ones. In the working scheme of Belgard’s system of ecomorphs relation of species to environmental factors are represented in the abbreviated Latin alphabetic version (Belgard, 1950). Combined into table, the ecomorphic analysis of plant species within association (ecological certification of species), biotope or area site (water area) gives an explicit pattern on ecological structure of flora within surveyed community, biotope or landscape, and on environmental conditions. Development and application by Belgrard the cenomorphs as «species’ adaptation to phytocenosis as a whole» were completely new in the development of systems of ecomorphs and, in this connection, different coenomorphs were distinguished. Like any concept, the system of ecomorphs by Belgard has the possibility and necessity to be developed and added. Long-time researches and analysis of literature sources allow to propose a new coenomorph in the context of Belgard’s system of ecomorphs development: silvomargoant (species of forest margin, from the Latin words margo – edge, boundary (Dvoretsky, 1976), margo – margin, ad margins silvarum – along the deciduous forest margins). As an example of ecomorphic characterization of species according to the system of ecomorphs by Belgard (when the abbreviated Latin ecomorph names are used in tabular form and the proposed cenomorph is used), it was given the part of the table on vascular plants ecomorphs in the National Nature Park «Orelsky» (Baranovsky et al). The Belgard’s system of ecomorphs is particularly convenient and can be successfully applied to data processing in the ecological analysis of the flora on wide areas with significant species richness, and the proposed ecomorph will be another necessary element in the Belgard’s system of ecomorphs. 


1997 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Samson ◽  
S. Follens ◽  
R. Lemeur

A  multi-layer model (FORUG) was developed, to simulate the canopy  photosynthesis of a mixed deciduous forest during the growing season.  Measured photosynthesis parameters, for beech (Fagus  sylvatica), oak (Quercus  robur) and ash (Fraxinus  excelsior), were used as input to the model. This  information at the leaf level is then scaled up to the level of the canopy,  taking into account the radiation profiles (diffuse and direct PAR) in the  canopy, the vertical LAI distribution, the evolution of the LAI and the  photosynthesis parameters during the growing season, and the temperature  dependence of the latter parameters.


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