Photosynthesis and Water Use Efficiency in Twenty Tropical Tree Species of Differing Succession Status in a Brazilian Reforestation

Abstract

Leaf gas exchange characteristics were measured in twenty woody species that differ in succession status ranging from pioneer species (PS) to late succession species (LS) in a Brazilian rain-reforestation ecosystem. Photon-saturated photosynthetic rate, calculated per either a leaf area (P NA ) or a dry mass (P NM ) basis, differed among species. P NA and P NM were highest in PS and lowest in LS. Variation among species was 3-fold (from 7 to 23 µmol m -2 s -1 ) for P NA, and 5-fold (from 50 to 275 µmol kg -2 s -1 ) for P NM . The highest P NA (23 µmol m -2 s -1 ) and P NM (275 µmol kg -2 s -1 ) values were recorded in PS Croton urucurana, while the lowest P NA (7 µmol m -2 s -1 ) and P NM (50 µmol kg -2 s -1 ) values were recorded in LS Aspidosperma cylindrocarpon. A considerable overlap was recorded between PS and LS in values of stomatal conductance (g s ), transpiration rate (E), and leaf mass to area ratio (ALM). However, C. urucurana also showed highest g s and E. P NM was highly correlated with ALM in both PS and LS (r = -0.75 and -0.90, respectively). The high values of instantaneous transpiration efficiency (ITE) and intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE i ) were also observed in the PS when compared with the LS.

Differences in morphological and physiological leaf characteristics between Tabebuia aurea and T. impetiginosa is related to their typical habitats of occurrence

“…The values of A max are within the range reported by Prado et al (2004) and Franco et al (2005) for savanna species, and by Nogueira et al (2004) for forest species (between 7-23 μmol m -2 s -1…”

Photosynthetic performance and anatomical adaptations in Byrsonima sericea DC. under contrasting light conditions in a remnant of the Atlantic forest

“…According to Nogueira et al (2004), pioneer species growing in open environments present higher WUE than late succession species, probably due to their higher photosynthetic rate capacity. In plants in the sun, during the dry season, the lowest stomatal conductance and transpiration was associated with lower values of net photosynthetic rate, resulting in the higher value of WUE observed.…”

“…Shaded areas protect plants from moisture stress by providing lower VPD (vapor pressure difference) and the physical environment tends to be relatively less variable. In these conditions, net photosynthetic rate and growth rates of pioneer trees are lower compared to sunny sites as the behavior of pioneer species is typically opportunistic, using the resources (water and light) in accordance with their availability in the environment (Zangler and Bazzaz, 1983;Nogueira et al, 2004). As such, when water is available, the higher light intensity of a sunny environment can induce higher photosynthetic rates in pioneer species.…”

Autonomy and network modulation of photosynthesis and water relations of Coffea arabica in the field

“…The equipment operated as an open system determining net photosynthesis (P N ), leaf transpiration (E), stomatal conductance to water vapor (g s ), and leaf intercellular (C i ) and external (C e ) CO 2 concentrations. Instantaneous transpiration efficiency (ITE) was calculated as P N /E (Nogueira et al, 2004).…”