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Carbon Dioxide Exchange Patterns of Cacti from Different Environments
Author(s) -
Patten D. T.,
Dinger B. E.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1936260
Subject(s) - carbon dioxide , photosynthesis , crassulacean acid metabolism , adaptation (eye) , ecology , biology , botany , chemistry , environmental science , neuroscience
The succulent nature of cacti and their acid metabolism create unusual patterns of CO 2 exchange. Carbon dioxide exchange rates fluctuate at constant temperatures and maintain near normal patterns under abnormal environmental conditions. The typical pattern (i.e., CO 2 release during the day and uptake at night) can be used to determine optimum environmental conditions for maximum net CO 2 uptake and therefore net photosynthesis in cacti. Two species of hedgehog cactic from high elevations are shown to differ in internal nighttime temperature requirements for net CO 2 uptake, an indication of their adaptation to different environments.