Photosynthetic rates in relation to leaf phosphorus content in pioneer versus climax tropical rainforest trees
✍ Scribed by D. Raaimakers; R. G. A. Boot; P. Dijkstra; S. Pot
- Book ID
- 104726794
- Publisher
- Springer-Verlag
- Year
- 1995
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 619 KB
- Volume
- 102
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0029-8549
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✦ Synopsis
In Guyana dense rainforest occurs on intensely weathered acid soils, low in soil phosphorus. To investigate whether low P availability limits photosynthesis of trees growing on these soils more than N does, leaf P and N content, and their relationship with the photosynthetic capacity (A , μmol CO m s) were studied for nine pioneer and climax tree species in a range of light climates. Light environment was described using hemispherical photographs. For both pioneer and climax species, leaf P content (r =0.71 and 0.23, respectively) is a more important determinant of A than leaf N content (r =0.54 and 0.12, respectively). Pioneer species have a higher leaf P and N content than climax species. At similar P or N content, pioneers have a higher A than climax species. The saplings studied had a relatively high A , considering their low P concentration (15-30 μmol P g). All species studied had a constant leaf P and N concentration and photosynthetic capacity across light climates, because specific leaf mass (g m) increased similarly with light availability. This acclimation to a change in light environment makes a possible limitation of A by P or N independent of light environment.