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Carbon isotope ratio and the extent of daily CAM use by Bromeliaceae
Author(s) -
Pierce Simon,
Winter Klaus,
Griffiths Howard
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2002.00489.x
Subject(s) - crassulacean acid metabolism , bromeliaceae , photosynthesis , nocturnal , isotopes of carbon , botany , diel vertical migration , carbon fibers , biology , stable isotope ratio , horticulture , chemistry , ecology , total organic carbon , materials science , physics , quantum mechanics , composite number , composite material
Summary• Use of carbon isotope ratio (δ 13C) to resolve photosynthetic pathways (C3, C4 or CAM) has limitations imposed by the use of intermediate photosynthetic modes by certain plant taxa. • Diel gas‐exchange patterns, leaf δ 13 C values and nocturnal tissue acidification were determined for 50 Bromeliaceae. • δ 13C values for well watered plants reflected the proportion of daily CO2uptake occurring at night. Thirteen per cent of species with δ13C values typical of C3plants (i.e. from −22.6 to −31.5‰) showed nocturnal acidification and either a small proportion (< 10%) of daily CO2uptake occurring nocturnally or internal CO2recycling during part of the night. None altered CAM expression in response to short‐term drought, but the contribution of CAM to daily carbon gain became proportionally more important as C3CO2 uptake failed. • Surveys of plant communities using solely the carbon isotope technique underestimate the number of CAM‐equipped plants.