The Effect of Elevated [CO2] on Growth and Photosynthesis of Two Eucalyptus Species Exposed to High Temperatures and Water Deficits

Two species of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha and Eucalyptus rossii) were grown for 8 weeks in either ambient (350 [mu]L L-1) or elevated (700 [mu]L L-1) CO2 concentrations, either well watered or without water additions, and subjected to a daily, 3-h high-temperature (45[deg]C, maximum) and high-light (1250 [mu]mol photons m-2 s-1, maximum) stress period. Water-stressed seedlings of E. macrorhyncha had higher leaf water potentials when grown in elevated [CO2]. Growth analysis indicated that increased [CO2] may allow eucalyptus species to perform better during conditions of low soil moisture. A down-regulation of photosynthetic capacity was observed for seedlings grown in elevated [CO2] when well watered but not when water stressed. Well-watered seedlings grown in elevated [CO2] had lower quantum efficiencies as measured by chlorophyll fluorescence (the ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence [Fv/Fm]) than seedlings grown in ambient [CO2] during the high-temperature stress period. However, no significant differences in Fv/Fm were observed between CO2 treatments when water was withheld. The reductions in dark-adapted Fv/Fm for plants grown in elevated [CO2] were not well correlated with increased xanthophyll cycle photoprotection. However, reductions in the Fv/Fm were correlated with increased levels of nonstructural carbohydrates. The reduction in quantum efficiencies for plants grown in elevated [CO2] is discussed in the context of feedback inhibition of electron transport associated with starch accumulation and variation in sink strength.     

水华鱼腥藻生长与光合作用对大气CO2浓度升高的响应

 为了探讨大气CO2浓度升高对水华藻类的影响,利用水华鱼腥藻(Anabena flos_aquae)作为实验材料,研究了大气CO2浓度加倍对其生长和光合作用的影响,结果显示大气CO2浓度升高导致水华鱼腥藻的生物量、光饱和光合速率、光合效率和光系统II的光化学效率（Fv/Fm）明显提高,但对暗呼吸速率和光饱和点没有明显影响。CO2加倍条件下藻细胞光合作用对无机碳的亲和力降低,表明其利用HCO-3的能力受到抑制。     

Does elevated CO2 ameliorate the impact of O3 on chlorophyll content and photosynthesis in potato (Solanum tuberosum)?

This study examined the impact of season-long exposure to elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone (O3), individually and in combination, on leaf chlorophyll content and gas exchange characteristics in potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Bintje). Plants grown in open-top chambers were exposed to three CO2 (ambient, 550 and 680 μmol mol-1) and two O3 treatments (ambient and elevated; 25 and 65 nmol mol-1, 8 h day-1 means, respectively) between crop emergence and maturity; plants were also grown in unchambered field plots. Non-destructive measurements of chlorophyll content and visible foliar injury were made for all treatments at 2-week intervals between 43 and 95 days after emergence. Gas exchange measurements were made for all except the intermediate 550 μmol mol-1 CO2 treatment. Season-long exposure to elevated O3 under ambient CO2 reduced chlorophyll content and induced extensive visible foliar damage, but had little effect on net assimilation rate or stomatal conductance. Elevated CO2 had no significant effect on chlorophyll content, but greatly reduced the damaging impact of O3 on chlorophyll content and visible foliar damage. Light-saturated assimilation rates for leaves grown under elevated CO2 were consistently lower when measured under either elevated or ambient CO2 than in equivalent leaves grown under ambient CO2. Analysis of CO2 response curves revealed that CO2-saturated assimilation rate, maximum rates of carboxylation and electron transport and respiration decreased with time. CO2-saturated assimilation rate was reduced by elevated O3 during the early stages of the season, while respiration was significantly greater under elevated CO2 as the crop approached maturity. The physiological origins of these responses and their implications for the performance of potato in a changing climate are discussed.     

Responses of Plant Dark Respiration to Doubled CO2 Concentration

Ten species of plants were grown at ambient (350μmol CO2·mol-1 air) and doubled (700 μmol CO2·mol-1 air) CO2 concentrations at ambient temperature and illumination in order to examine changes of dark respiration of whole seedlings or detached leaves. Effects of CO2 on dark respiration were determined by brief exposure ( ≤ 5 min) to corresponding CO2 concentration and temperatures ( 15,20,25,30 and 35 ℃ ) with infrared CO2 analyzer. The reductions in dark respiration on a weight base for leaves of East-Liaoning oak (Quercus liaotungensis Koidz. ) at 15,20 and 25 ℃ and of soybean ( Glycine max L. ) at 20,25,30 and 35 ℃ and for whole seedlings of three- tcoloured amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L. ) at 15 and 20 ℃ and cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L. ) at 15 cE measured at elevated concentration relative to the ambient CO2 concentration were observed. No significant difference in respiration responded was observed to elevated or ambient CO2 concentrations at 15 ℃ in maize (Zea mays L. ) seedlings and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ) leaves, at 35 ℃ in East-Liaoning oak leaves and at 20,25 and 30 ℃ in three-coloured amaranth seedlings. However CO2 efflux in leaves of weeping willow (Salix babylonica L. ), simon poplar (Populus simonii Carr. ) and eucommia (Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. ) at 15,20,25,30 and 35 ℃, alfalfa at 20,25,30 and 35 ℃, East-Liaoning oak at 30 ℃, maize at 15 ℃, seedlings of common buckwheat (Fagotrytum esculentum Moench) at 15,20,25,30 and 35 ℃, cucumber and maize at 20,25,30 and 35 ℃ and three-coloured amaranth at 35 ℃ showed an increase at elevated in contrast to ambient CO2 concentration. In general, at lower temperatures (i. e. 15, 20 ℃ ) there was no significant difference between elevated and ambient CO2 concentration for dark respiration, while at higher temperatures (i. e. 30,35 ℃ ) elevated CO2 concentration positively stimulate clark respiretion. It has not yet been described that double CO2 concentration could enhance plant dark respiration at 30 and 35 ℃. Impacts of the characteristics in dark respiration on the future changes of vegetation and its mechanism were discussed.     

CO2浓度升高对长白山三种树木幼苗叶碳水化合物和氮含量的影响

研究了持续 3个生长季高浓度CO2 处理的长白山主要树种红松、长白赤松和水曲柳幼苗叶 (片 )的蔗糖、果糖、可溶性总糖、淀粉及全氮含量变化 .结果表明 ,前两个生长季 70 0 μmol·mol-1CO2 处理 ,促进了水曲柳和长白赤松幼苗的淀粉累积 ,70 0和 5 0 0 μmol·mol-1CO2 却使红松幼苗的全N含量明显降低 .第三个生长季高浓度CO2 处理的第一周和第二周 ,红松和水曲柳幼苗的淀粉含量增加 ,全N含量降低 ,第八周时 ,水曲柳仍维持原来的变化趋势 .第三个生长季高浓度CO2 处理 ,并未使长白赤松的C、N含量有明显的增减 .CO2 浓度影响了碳水化合物在叶 (片 )中的积累形式     

大气CO2浓度升高对毛竹叶片膜脂过氧化和抗氧化系统的影响

为了解竹子对大气CO2浓度升高的生理响应,为气候变化背景下的竹林适应性管理提供理论依据,运用开顶式气室(OTCs)设置了3个CO2处理浓度(环境大气、500和700μmol·mol-1),探讨了大气CO2浓度升高对毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis)叶片光合色素、膜脂过氧化和抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明:与环境大气比较,500μmol·mol-1浓度处理30d时对毛竹叶片光合色素、膜脂过氧化和抗氧化系统影响并不明显,仅叶片CAT活性显著降低;随着处理时间的延长,对毛竹叶片膜脂过氧化和抗氧化系统的影响逐渐显现,至处理90d时,除叶片可溶性糖含量无明显变化,其他测定指标均有显著变化;700μmol·mol-1浓度处理在不同时间上对毛竹叶片膜脂过氧化和抗氧化系统的影响均较500μmol·mol-1CO2浓度处理明显,处理30d时毛竹叶片可溶性糖含量和抗氧化酶活性有明显变化,处理90d时,各项测定指标均有显著变化;研究表明大气CO2浓度升高一定程度上能增强毛竹的抗氧化能力,但光合产物的过量积累也会造成碳水化合物源-库失衡和Rubisco的再生受到反馈作用抑制。     

Auxin modulates the enhanced development of root hairs in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. under elevated CO(2)

Root hairs may play a critical role in nutrient acquisition of plants grown under elevated CO(2) . This study investigated how elevated CO(2) enhanced the development of root hairs in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. The plants under elevated CO(2) (800 μL L(-1)) had denser and longer root hairs, and more H-positioned cells in root epidermis than those under ambient CO(2) (350 μL L(-1)). The elevated CO(2) increased auxin production in roots. Under elevated CO(2) , application of either 1-naphthoxyacetic acid (1-NOA) or N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) blocked the enhanced development of root hairs. The opposite was true when the plants under ambient CO(2) were treated with 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA), an auxin analogue. Furthermore, the elevated CO(2) did not enhance the development of root hairs in auxin-response mutants, axr1-3, and auxin-transporter mutants, axr4-1, aux1-7 and pin1-1. Both elevated CO(2) and NAA application increased expressions of caprice, triptychon and rho-related protein from plants 2, and decreased expressions of werewolf, GLABRA2, GLABRA3 and the transparent testa glabra 1, genes related to root-hair development, while 1-NOA and NPA application had an opposite effect. Our study suggests that elevated CO(2) enhanced the development of root hairs in Arabidopsis via the well-characterized auxin signalling and transport that modulate the initiation of root hairs and the expression of its specific genes.     

高CO2浓度对长白山阔叶红松林主要树种的影响

组成长白山阔叶红松林的主要树种红松、云杉、落叶松、大青杨、白桦、椴树、水曲柳和色木的幼树,盆栽于模拟自然光照和人工调节CO2浓度为700μl·L -1、400μl·L-1 的气室内两个生长季,以生长在400μl·L-1下的幼树为对照组 ,在各自生长条件下测定,高CO2浓度下生长的红松、云杉、落叶松、大青杨、白桦、椴树、水曲柳和色木的高生长比对照组的幼树提高10%～40%.高CO2浓度的幼树与对照CO2 下的幼树相比各树种蒸腾速率升降不一,但水分利用效率均有不同程度的提高,不同树种的可溶性糖和叶绿素含量对高CO2浓度反应不一,反映出幼树对高CO2浓度适应的复杂性.长期高CO2浓度环境下生长的阔叶树对CO2变化反应较针叶树敏感,供试树种均发生光合驯化现象.     

Growth,CO2 exchange rate and dry matter partitioning in mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) grown under elevated CO2

This study was conducted to determine the effects of anticipated future level of CO2 on growth and dry matter partitioning of mungbean (Vigna radiata). Plants were grown from seedlings to maturity inside the open top chamber under amhient CO2 (350 +/- 25 microL L(-1)) and elevated CO2 (600 +/- 50 microL L(-1)) at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi (India). Plants were harvested at 20, 35 and 50 days after germination. Mungbean plants grown under elevated CO2 concentration resulted in greater photosynthetic rate on a leaflet area basis and no acclimation in photosynthesis was recorded due to high CO2. Plants grown under CO, enrichmcnt were taller and attained greater leaf area along with more dry matter than ambient CO2 grown plants at all growth stages. Response to high CO, depends upon the growth stage of the plant and it was more at early growth stages compared to maturity stages. The high CO2 grown mungbean plants also exhibited increased root growth along with stem and leaves. There was a substantial increase in pod number and seed number/plant under elevated CO2 conditions. The increase in dry matter and growth of root, stem and leaves proved that CO2 enrichment of the atmosphere can stimulate photosynthetic rate which can ultimately lead to an increase in dry matter and growth.     

Olfactory preferences of Popillia japonica, Vanessa cardui, and Aphis glycines for Glycine max grown under elevated CO2

Levels of atmospheric CO(2) have been increasing steadily over the last century and are projected to increase even more dramatically in the future. Soybeans (Glycine max L.) grown under elevated levels of CO(2) have larger herbivore populations than soybeans grown under ambient levels of CO(2). Increased abundance could reflect the fact that these herbivores are drawn in by increased amounts of volatiles or changes in the composition of volatiles released by plants grown under elevated CO(2) conditions. To determine impacts of elevated CO(2) on olfactory preferences, Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica Newman) and soybean aphids (Aphis glycines Matsumura) were placed in Y-tube olfactometers with a choice between ambient levels of CO(2) gas versus elevated levels of CO(2) gas or damaged and undamaged leaves and plants grown under ambient levels of CO(2) versus damaged and undamaged plants grown under elevated levels of CO(2). All plants had been grown from seeds under ambient or elevated levels of CO(2). Painted lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui L.) were placed in an oviposition chamber with a choice between plants grown under ambient and elevated levels of CO(2). A. glycines and V. cardui showed no significant preference for plants in either treatment. P. japonica showed no significant preference between ambient levels and elevated levels of CO(2) gas. There was a significant P. japonica preference for damaged plants grown under ambient CO(2) versus undamaged plants but no preference for damaged plants grown under elevated CO(2) versus undamaged plants. P. japonica also preferred damaged plants grown under elevated levels of CO(2) versus damaged plants grown under ambient levels of CO(2). This lack of preference for damaged plants grown under elevated CO(2) versus undamaged plants could be the result of the identical elevated levels of a green leaf volatile (2-hexenal) present in all foliage grown under elevated CO(2) regardless of damage status. Green leaf volatiles are typically released from damaged leaves and are used as kairomones by many herbivorous insects for host plant location. An increase in production of volatiles in soybeans grown under elevated CO(2) conditions may lead to larger herbivore outbreaks in the future.     

Increase of photosynthesis and starch in potato under elevated CO2 is dependent on leaf age

Potato plants (Solanum tuberosum cv. Bintje) were grown in open top chambers under ambient (400 microL L(-1)) and elevated CO2 (720 microL L(-1)). After 50 days one half of each group was transferred to the other CO2 concentration and the effects were studied in relation to leaf age (old, middle-aged and young leaves) in each of the four groups. Under long-term exposure to elevated CO2, photosynthesis increased between 10% and 40% compared to ambient CO2. A subsequent shift of the same plants to ambient CO2 caused a 20-40% decline in photosynthetic rate, which was most pronounced in young leaves. After shifting from long-term ambient to elevated CO2, photosynthesis also increased most strongly in young leaves (90%); these experiments show that photosynthesis was downregulated in the upper young fully expanded leaves of potato growing long-term under elevated CO2. Soluble sugar content in all leaf classes under long-term exposure was stable irrespective of the CO2 treatment, however under elevated CO2 young leaves showed a strongly increased starch accumulation (up to 400%). In all leaf classes starch levels dropped in response to the shift from 720 to 400 microL L(-1) approaching ambient CO2 levels. After the shift to 720 microL L(-1), sucrose and starch levels increased, principally in young Leaves. There is clear evidence that leaves of different age vary in their responses to changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration.     

Poa annua shows inter-generational differences in response to elevated CO2

Inter-generational effects on the growth of Poa annua (L.) in ambient and elevated atmospheric CO₂ conditions (350 and 550 μl l^–1, respectively) were studied in two different experiments. Both experiments showed similar results. In a greenhouse experiment growth, measured as the numbers of tillers produced per week, was compared for plants grown from first and second generation seeds. Second generation seeds were obtained from plants grown for one whole generation in either ambient or elevated atmospheric CO₂ (‘ambient’ and ‘elevated’ seeds, respectively). First generation plants and second generation ‘ambient’ plants did not respond to elevated CO₂. Second generation ‘elevated’ plants produced significantly more tillers in elevated CO₂. In the second experiment model terrestrial ecosystems growing in the Ecotron and which included Poa annua were used. Above-ground biomass after one and two generations of growth were compared. At the end of Generation 1 no difference was found in biomass production while at the end of Generation 2 biomass increased in elevated CO₂ by 50%. The implications for climate change research are discussed.     

外源NO对缺铁豌豆幼苗生长以及光合作用的影响

以水培豌豆(Pisum sativum)品种‘陇碗一号’幼苗为材料,以硝普钠(SNP)为一氧化氮(NO)供体,研究外源NO对缺铁豌豆幼苗的生长及光合作用的影响。结果显示:0.6 mmol.L-1的外源SNP所产生的NO能够促进缺铁豌豆幼苗的生长,并促进叶绿素的合成,增强净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr),而使胞间CO2浓度(Ci)下降;同时,叶绿素荧光最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)、实际光化学量子效率(Yield)和光化学淬灭系数(qP)均升高,在一定程度上缓解缺铁对豌豆幼苗叶片PSII反应中心的影响。外源NO对正常铁(100μmol.L-1Fe)处理下豌豆幼苗的生长和光合作用具有一定的抑制作用。研究表明,缺铁和正常铁处理的豌豆幼苗对NO的敏感性不同,适宜浓度的NO对缺铁下豌豆幼苗的生长和光合都具有一定的改善作用。     

Adaptation of tobacco plants to elevated CO2: influence of leaf age on changes in physiology, redox states and NADP-malate dehydrogenase activity

Transgenic tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Xanthi) with altered chloroplast NADP-malate dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH) content were grown under ambient or under doubled atmospheric CO2 in order to analyse the effect of elevated CO2 on the redox state of the chloroplasts. Since large differences exist between the individual leaves of tobacco plants, gas exchange characteristics, enzyme capacities and metabolite contents were measured separately for each leaf of the plants. Large variations between leaves of different age were found in nearly every parameter analysed, and the differences between younger and older leaves were, in most cases, larger than the differences between comparable leaves at ambient or elevated CO2. For all parameters (chlorophyll fluorescence, P700 reduction, NADP-MDH activation) that are indicative for the redox situation in the electron transport chains and in the chloroplast stroma, more oxidized values were determined under elevated CO2. The increased redox state of ferredoxin, observed at ambient conditions in the NADP-MDH-under-expressing plants, disappeared under elevated CO2. It was concluded that the reduced rate of photorespiration under elevated CO2 decreases the amount of excess electrons. Interestingly, this lowered not only the activation state of NADP-MDH, but also the expression of the enzyme in the wild-type plants. The results are discussed with respect to a possible interaction between stromal reduction state and gene expression.     

Responses of Antioxidative Systems to Drought Stress in Pendunculate Oak and Maritime Pine as Modulated by Elevated CO2

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an enhanced CO2 concentration alone or in combination with drought stress on antioxidative systems of a deciduous (oak; Quercus robur) and an evergreen (pine; Pinus pinaster) tree species. The seedlings were grown for one season in a greenhouse in tunnels supplied with 350 or 700 [mu]L L-1 CO2. The experiment was repeated in a second year. Antioxidants, protective enzymes, soluble protein, and pigments showed considerable fluctuations in different years. Elevated CO2 caused significant reductions in the activities of superoxide dismutases in both oak and pine. The activities of ascorbate peroxidase and catalase were also reduced in most cases. The activities of dehydroascorbate reductase, monodehydroascorbate radical reductase, glutathione reductase, and guaiacol peroxidase were affected little or not at all by elevated CO2. When the trees were subjected to drought stress by withholding water, the activities of antioxidative enzymes decreased in leaves of pine and oak grown at ambient CO2 and increased in plants grown at elevated CO2 concentrations. The present results suggest that growth in elevated CO2 might reduce oxidative stress to which leaf tissues are normally exposed and enhance metabolic flexibility to encounter increased stress by increases in antioxidative capacity.     

CO2浓度加倍对辽东栎维管组织结构的影响

 以辽东栎(Quercus liaotungensis)的13年生幼树为材料,分别培养在大气CO2浓度加倍(700μl·L-1)与对照(350μl·L-1)的开顶式熏气室中,研究CO2浓度升高对其茎次生木质部和次生韧皮部结构的影响。结果表明：经CO2浓度加倍处理的两个生长季内,辽东栎的年轮宽度明显增加,为对照的300％～370％,其中晚材宽度的增加更为显著,为对照的750％～830％。另外,晚材中导管的密度和径向直径分别比对照增加50％和20％;木纤维细胞的比例约为对照的170％。但早材的导管分子和木纤维细胞与对照相比均无显著变化。在CO2浓度加倍条件下,辽东栎的次生韧皮部中含晶韧皮薄壁细胞的数目,每条韧皮纤维切向带中韧皮纤维细胞的数目,以及韧皮纤维长度均有显著增加(p≤0.05)。相反地,韧皮纤维细胞的直径和筛管分子长度却无明显变化。值得提出的是,在CO2浓度加倍的条件下,次生韧皮部的宽度、筛管分子的直径、以及每年形成的韧皮部细胞总数分别为对照的82％、87％和80％。综上所述,大气CO2浓度加倍对辽东栎次生木质部的生长发育具明显的正效应,而对次生韧皮部的细胞总数与筛管分子的影响则呈负效应。     

提高CO2浓度对两种亚热带树苗生物量及叶片特性的影响

 广东鼎湖山季风常绿阔叶林的主要优势乔木树种荷木和黧蒴幼苗生长于自然光照和人工调节CO2浓度为500±50μl·L-1或空气CO2(350μl·L-1)的气罩中3个月。高CO2浓度下生长的黧蒴和荷木植株总干物质量分别增加26.6％和16.6%,根部增加量最大,地上部分所占的比例降低,根冠比上升,基径增大而株高降低。高CO2浓度下生长的叶片密度及比叶重增加,叶肉细胞间隙体积减少。单位干重的黧蒴叶片可溶性糖含量、全碳、磷、钾含量在高CO2浓度下稍为下降,果糖、葡萄糖、蔗糖、全氮、镁含量及N/C比明显降低。而全钙含量无明显变化。     

大气CO2浓度倍增对植物暗呼吸的影响

以长期生长于350和700μmolCO_2·mol~(-1)空气的开顶式培养室的杜仲(Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.)、紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)、玉米(Zea mays L.)等10种植物的离体成熟叶片或整株为材料,研究不同测定温度(15～35℃)下,CO_2浓度倍增对植物暗呼吸的影响。结果表明:在较低温度(15℃、20℃)下,CO_2浓度倍增对植物暗呼吸没有显著效应,在较高温度(30℃、35℃)下多数被测植物的暗呼吸显著增强。讨论了实验所得结果在未来全球气候变化中的可能的意义。     

Accelerated Early Growth of Rice at Elevated CO2 (Is It Related to Developmental Changes in the Shoot Apex?)

The influence of elevated CO2 on the development of the shoot apex and on subsequent vegetative growth and grain yield was investigated using rice (Oryza sativa L. cv Jarrah) grown in flooded soil at either 350 or 700 [mu]L CO2 L-1. At 8 d after planting (DAP), elevated CO2 increased the height and diameter of the apical dome and lengths of leaf primordia and tiller buds but had no effect on their numbers. By 16 DAP, there were five tiller buds in the apex at 700 [mu]L CO2 L-1 compared with only three tiller buds at 350 [mu]L CO2 L-1. These changes in development of the shoot apex at high CO2 were forerunners to faster development of the vegetative shoot at elevated CO2 between 11 and 26 DAP as evidenced by increases in the relative growth rates of the shoot and tillers. Accelerated development at high CO2 was responsible for the 42% increase in tiller number at the maximum tillering stage and the 57% enhancement of grain yield at the final harvest. The link between high CO2 effects on development during the first 15 DAP and final tiller number and grain yield was demonstrated by delaying exposure of plants to high CO2 for 15 d. The delay totally inhibited the tillering response to high CO2, and the increase in grain yield of 20% arose from a greater number of grains per panicle. Consequently, it can be concluded that accelerated development in the shoot apex early in development is crucial for obtaining maximum increases in grain yield at elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations.     

Effect of Tourism and Industrialization on the Atmospheric Quality of Subtropical Forests and on Chlorophyll Flourescence of Two Species of Woody Plants

Different impacts of human activities including tourism, religious activity and industrial activities on atmospheric CO2, NOx and SO2 concentration of the subtropical forests and the chlorophyll fluorescence of two woody plant species ( Schima superba Gardn. et Champ. and Pinus massoniaha Lamb. ) were studied. The experimental sites were at Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve and its nearby industrial area in Guangdong Province. In recent years, the Biosphere Reserve has received more than 700 000 tourists and nearly 120 000 vehicles each year. A steel production plant and a chemical plant are located in the nearby industrial area. The chlorophyll fluorescence was measured by a modulation pulse fluorometer (PAM). The results showed that the effects of human being activities have caused an increase of the concentration of CO2, NOx and SO2 within the forests. Comparing to the control site (core area of Biosphere Reserve), the CO2, NOx and SO2 concentration in the disturbed sites have increased 17 to 40 μmol· mol-1, 5 to 20 nmol· mo1-1 and 2 to 19 nmol·mol-1 respectively. The Fv/Fm, qp and ФPSⅡof two woody plants decreased with the increase of human being activities. The trend of decreasing Fv/Fm, qp and ФPSⅡ associated with an increase of qN in leaves of forests plant was consistent with the increasing CO2, NOx and SO2 concentration within the forests.