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Relationship of Gas‐Exchange Resistance to Tree‐Seedling Ecology
Author(s) -
Wuenscher James E.,
Kozlowski Theodore T.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1933807
Subject(s) - deserts and xeric shrublands , transpiration , resistance (ecology) , ecology , seedling , biology , botany , photosynthesis , ecophysiology , vapour pressure deficit , environmental gradient , habitat
Net photosynthesis and transpiration of intact leaves of seedlings of five species of forest trees were measured under a range of light intensities and leaf temperatures. Leaf transfer resistances to water—vapor loss and CO_2 uptake were calculated. The species tested included Quercus macrocarpa, Q. velutina, Q. alba, Q. rubra, and Acer saccharum, which occur in southern Wisconsin along an ecological gradient from xeric to mesic. Stomatal resistance and water—use efficiencies, the ratio of water—loss resistance to CO_2—uptake resistance, decreased along the gradient from xerophytic to mesophythic species. Mesophyll resistances showed a corresponding increase. Variations among species in transfer resistances help explain the success of different species at various points along the ecological gradient and appear to be an important factor in determining species ecology.