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Gas exchange and resource‐use patterns along a Mediterranean successional gradient
Author(s) -
Lillis M.,
Federici F. M.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1654-1103
pISSN - 1100-9233
DOI - 10.2307/3236114
Subject(s) - evergreen , climax , ecological succession , herbaceous plant , photosynthesis , pioneer species , ecology , mediterranean climate , secondary succession , climax community , biology , old field , seral community , agronomy , botany , environmental science
. Gas exchange, leaf‐nitrogen concentration and water potential were measured in early and late spring in early successional herbaceous plants occurring after cutting and after fire, and in mature woody species from the Mediterranean climax community Quercetum ilicis in central Italy. Net photosynthesis peaked in early spring in all species studied when values for temperature and light were lower but leaf‐nitrogen content was higher as compared to late spring, suggesting that nitrogen more than energy input controlled photosynt‐hetic rates. Herbaceous pioneer species occurring after cutting showed higher field photo synthetic capacity than evergreen climax trees and shrubs. By contrast, net photosynthesis of herbaceous species occurring in a persistent stage after fire, was in the same range as that of climax trees. This evidence suggests that carbon‐gaining appears to be partly related to the dynamic stage of succession and not solely to the growth form.