Spatial pattern of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) was analyzed in two alpine timberline species (Abies georgei and Juniperus saltuaria) growing at the timberline in Sergyemla Mountain, southeastern Tibetan Plateau. We aimed to examine the effect of canopy height and leaf age on balance between carbon uptake and consumption of timberline tree species in extremely environmental condition. The results showed that no significantly vertical variation in sugars, starch or NSC (soluble sugars plus starch) in A. georgei was found for any aged needles. Also, there were no significant differences among vertical gradients in both current and last-year leaves for J. saltuaria. However, different-aged needles/leaves showed significant differences in NSC concentrations in both A. georgei and J. saltuaria. For A. georgei, needle mean NSC across vertical canopies showed a significant increase from current-year to 2-year needles (P \ 0.05), followed by a gradual decrease from 2-to 5-year needles (P \ 0.05), whereas for J. saltuaria, last-year leaves had significant higher NSC except sugars compared with current-year leaves across canopies (P \ 0.01). The observed trends of NSC along vertical canopy heights and leaf ages suggested that, in extreme environmental condition, not only lightinduced carbon acquisition in photosynthesis but also carbohydrate export from leaves should be taken into account to explain the spatial pattern of NSC.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.