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Carbon isotope composition of current‐year shoots from Fagus sylvatica in relation to growth, respiration and use of reserves
Author(s) -
DAMESIN C.,
LELARGE C.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3040.2003.00951.x
Subject(s) - δ13c , beech , respiration , fagus sylvatica , starch , shoot , botany , isotopes of carbon , growing season , chemistry , biology , stable isotope ratio , horticulture , total organic carbon , ecology , food science , physics , quantum mechanics
Temporal variations in the stable carbon isotope composition ( δ 13 C) of leaves and current‐year stems were examined in beech trees over one year. The δ 13 C of both tissues were equal in the bud stage and started to diverge during growth, with values decreasing by 2·5 and 4·5‰ for stems and leaves, respectively. The dynamics of the δ 13 C and content of non‐structural sugars were also assessed. The beginning of the growth period was characterized by a decrease in starch content and high starch δ 13 C values. Later in the season, the δ 13 C of leaf soluble sugars progressively decreased from the end of May and the δ 13 C of stem sucrose was at least 1·5‰ higher than that of leaves. The δ 13 C of CO 2 respired by stem tissue increased during stem growth and exhibited large seasonal variations ( from −22·1 to −26·3‰). These values generally fell between those of starch and total organic matter. The results of the study showed that the δ 13 C of stems is altered by two apparent fractionation steps: one during sugar transfer from leaves to stems and one during stem respiration. These results may have implications for analysis of isotopic signals in tree rings and forest ecosystems.