C4 grasses from the boreal forest region of northwestern Canada
Six C4 grasses (Distichlis stricta, Muhlenbergia glomerata var. cinnoides, M. mexicana, M. richardsonis, Spartina gracilis, S. pectinata) were found in grassy openings in the boreal forest of northwestern Canada. High carbon isotope ratios and Kranz anatomy confirmed that these northern populations are functionally C4 grasses. Muhlenbergia mexicana was assumed to be a C4 grass on the basis of published data. Recent collections of C4 plants tended to have more negative δ13C values than older collections from northern locations, which may reflect decreases in δ13C of atmospheric CO2 over time. In general, northern C4 species had lower δ13C values than those reported for their southern counterparts. The boreal climate in the north supports C4 species only where the mean minimum temperature for July is at least 7.5 °C. C4 grasses were found in microsites warmed by high irradiance or geothermal activity; many of the sites had saline substrates. Northern C4 populations are rare and unique in the boreal flora and deserve special protection.