Effects of different irradiances on the photosynthetic process during ex-vitro acclimation of Anoectochilus plantlets

Six months old in vitro-grown Anoectochilus formosanus plantlets were transferred to ex-vitro acclimation under low irradiance, LI [60 μmol(photon) m⁻² s⁻¹], intermediate irradiance, II [180 μmol(photon) m⁻² s⁻¹], and high irradiance, HI [300 μmol(photon) m⁻² s⁻¹] for 30 d. Imposition of II led to a significant increase of chlorophyll (Chl) b content, rates of net photosynthesis (P _N) and transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (g _s), electron transfer rate (ETR), quantum yield of electron transport from water through photosystem 2 (Φ_PS2), and activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxygenase (RuBPCO, EC 4.1.1.39). This indicates that Anoectochilus was better acclimated at II compared to LI treatment. On the other hand, HI acclimation led to a significant reduction of Chl a and b, P _N, E, g _s, photochemical quenching, dark-adapted quantum efficiency of open PS2 centres (F_v/F_m), probability of an absorbed photon reaching an open PS2 reaction centre (F_v′/F_m′), ETR, Φ_PS2, and energy efficiency of CO₂ fixation (Φ_CO2/Φ_PS2). This indicates that HI treatment considerably exceeded the photo-protective capacity and Anoectochilus suffered HI induced damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Imposition of HI significantly increased the contents of antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin (ZEA), non-photochemical quenching, and conversion of violaxanthin to ZEA. Thus Anoectochilus modifies its system to dissipate excess excitation energy and to protect the photosynthetic machinery.     

改进指数模型对紫茉莉光合-光响应及CO2响应适用性研究

五种模型分别运用于紫茉莉的光合—光响应及CO₂响应曲线的拟合,研究其光合效率参数的变化,探讨紫茉莉光合—光响应及CO₂响应的最适模型。结果表明:(1)紫茉莉的光合—光响应及CO₂响应改进指数模型拟合R²均为0.999,拟合效果优于非直角双曲线、直角双曲线和直角双曲线修正模型。其饱和光强和最大净光合速率分别为797.299和7.879 μmolCO₂·m^-2·s^-1,饱和CO₂浓度和最大光合能力分别为1 264.447和16.783 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1,均与实测值最接近;(2)五个模型拟合和预测的均方误差(MSE)、平均绝对误差(MAE),都是改进指数模型小于其他模型。改进指数模型为紫茉莉光合—光响应及CO₂响应曲线的最佳模型,实验结果可为紫茉莉的生理生态应用研究提供参考。     

Susceptibility of green leaves and green flower petals of CAM orchid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendrobium</Emphasis> cv. Burana Jade to high irradiance under natural tropical conditions

Photosynthetic rates of green leaves (GL) and green flower petals (GFP) of the CAM plant Dendrobium cv. Burana Jade and their sensitivities to different growth irradiances were studied in shade-grown plants over a period of 4 weeks. Maximal photosynthetic O₂ evolution rates and CAM acidities [dawn/dusk fluctuations in titratable acidity] were higher in leaves exposed to intermediate sunlight [a maximal photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 500–600 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹] than in leaves grown under full sunlight (a maximal PPFD of 1 000–1 200 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and shade (a maximal PPFD of 200–250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). However, these two parameters of GFP were highest in plants grown under the shade and lowest in full sun-grown plants. Both GL and GFP of plants exposed to full sunlight had lower predawn F_v/F_m [dark adapted ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence (the maximal photosystem 2 yield without actinic irradiation)] than those of shade-grown plants. When exposed to intermediate sunlight, however, there were no significant changes in predawn F_v/F_m in GL whereas a significant decrease in predawn F_v/F_m was found in GFP of the same plant. GFP exposed to full sunlight exhibited a greater decrease in predawn F_v/F_m compared to those exposed to intermediate sunlight. The patterns of changes in total chlorophyll (Chl) content of GL and GFP were similar to those of F_v/F_m. Although midday F_v/F_m fluctuated with prevailing irradiance, changes of midday F_v/F_m after exposure to different growth irradiances were similar to those of predawn F_v/F_m in both GL and GFP. The decreases in predawn and midday F_v/F_m were much more pronounced in GFP than in GL under full sunlight, indicating greater sensitivity in GFP to high irradiance (HI). In the laboratory, electron transport rate and photochemical and non-photochemical quenching of Chl fluorescence were also determined under different irradiances. All results indicated that GFP are more susceptible to HI than GL. Although the GFP of Dendrobium cv. Burana Jade require a lower amount of radiant energy for photosynthesis and this plant is usually grown in the shade, is not necessarily a shade plant.     

修剪节位及修剪时期对四季蜜芒枝条生长及反季节开花的综合效应

五种模型分别运用于紫茉莉的光合—光响应及CO₂响应曲线的拟合,研究其光合效率参数的变化,探讨紫茉莉光合—光响应及CO₂响应的最适模型。结果表明:(1)紫茉莉的光合—光响应及CO₂响应改进指数模型拟合R²均为0.999,拟合效果优于非直角双曲线、直角双曲线和直角双曲线修正模型。其饱和光强和最大净光合速率分别为797.299和7.879 μmolCO₂·m^-2·s^-1,饱和CO₂浓度和最大光合能力分别为1 264.447和16.783 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1,均与实测值最接近;(2)五个模型拟合和预测的均方误差(MSE)、平均绝对误差(MAE),都是改进指数模型小于其他模型。改进指数模型为紫茉莉光合—光响应及CO₂响应曲线的最佳模型,实验结果可为紫茉莉的生理生态应用研究提供参考。     

Photoinhibition during acclimatization of micropropagatedSpathiphyllum “Petite” plantlets

Summary MicropropagatedSpathiphyllum “Petite” plantlets were acclimatized at low- or high-light intensities [photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) 100 or 300 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹]. During the first days chlorophyll fluorescence measurements show a partial photoinhibition of the photosynthetic apparatus, expressed by a decrease of the variable over maximal fluorescence ratio (F_v/F_m). This inhibition of F_v/F_m was significantly higher for plants grown at high-light intensity, leading to a photooxidation of chlorophyll. Newly formed leaves were better adapted to the ex vitro climatic condition (as shown by the increase of the F_v/F_m ratio) and had a higher net photosynthesis compared with in vitro formed leaves. Nevertheless, plants grown at 300 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ were photoinhibited, compared with those at 100 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹. A sudden exposure to high-light intensity of 1-, 10- or 25-d-old transplanted plants (shift in PPFD from 100 to 300 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) gave a linear decrease of F_v/F_m over a 12-h period, which was reflected in a 50% reduction of net photosynthesis. No significant interaction between day and hour was found, indicating high-light exposure causes the same photoinhibitory effect on in vitro and ex vitro formed leaves.     

The Photosynthesis and Chlorophyll a Fluorescence in Seedlings of Kandelia Candel (L.) Druce Grown under Different Nitrogen and NaCl Controls

Kandelia candel (L.) Druce is the dominant mangrove species on the west coast of northern Taiwan. We have measured the net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence of seedlings grown at combinations of two nitrogen (0.01 and 0.1 mM) and two NaCl (250 and 430 mM NaCl) controls. With the same nitrogen level, seedlings grown at higher salinity (HS) had a significantly lower P _N and stomatal conductance (g _s) than those at lower salinity (LS). An increase in nitrogen availability significantly elevated P _N and g _s of the LS-grown seedlings. Compared to dark adapted leaves, the maximum quantum yield of photosystem 2 (PS2) (F_v/F_m) of leaves exposed to PFDs of 1200 and 1600 μmol m^-2 s^-1 for 2 h was significantly reduced. The degree of F_v/F_m reduction differed among leaves of the four types of treated plants. Chl fluorescence quenching analysis revealed differences among the examined plants in coefficients of non-photochemical and photochemical quenching. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

武夷山国家公园不同林地土壤呼吸动态变化及其影响因素

探明亚热带山岳型国家公园不同林地利用方式下土壤呼吸（R_s）的动态变化规律以及影响因素,对准确评价和预测该区域以国家公园为主体的自然保护地体系的碳收支具有重要的现实意义。以武夷山国家公园为研究对象,利用Li-8100开路式土壤碳通量测定系统对茶园、锥栗（Castanea henryi（Skam） Rehd.et Wils.）林、马尾松（Pinus massoniana Lamb.）林和裸地的土壤呼吸及近地面气温、土壤温度、土壤湿度、土壤养分和土壤微生物碳（MBC）、氮（MBN）进行测定。结果显示：（1）与近地面气温、土壤温度和土壤湿度相同,不同林地的R_s均呈现夏 > 春 > 秋 > 冬的季节动态,R_s的季节均值按大小排序为茶园（3.10 μmol m^-2 s^-1） > 马尾松（2.96 μmol m^-2 s^-1） > 锥栗（2.32 μmol m^-2 s^-1） > 裸地（1.43 μmol m^-2 s^-1）,锥栗和裸地之间、锥栗与马尾松之间均差异显著（P<0.01）。除马尾松林外,其他林地水热因子（近地面气温、土壤温度和土壤湿度）的单因子二次多项式模型对R_s的拟合度最高。水热因子共同建立的复合模型中,土壤温度、湿度的幂-指数模型对茶园R_s的拟合度较高,土壤温度和土壤湿度能够解释R_s变化的80%,马尾松林的R_s较适用于土壤温度、湿度建立的对数函数模型,而三因子线性模型（进入回归法）对锥栗林和裸地的R_s的拟合度最优,R²分别为0.565和0.281。（2）茶园和锥栗林的碳、氮、磷含量均高于马尾松林和裸地,MBN含量茶园 > 马尾松 > 锥栗 > 裸地。茶园的R_s与全磷（TP）、有效磷（AP）、全钾（TK）、速效钾（AK）含量呈极显著（P<0.01）正相关,马尾松林的R_s受TP、TK、AK含量的影响极显著（P<0.01）,锥栗林的R_s与TK、AK、MBN含量呈现显著（P<0.05）正相关,裸地的R_s受MBN含量影响较为显著（P<0.05）,4种林地土壤呼吸与养分的多元逐步回归方程R²均接近1。综上,茶园和马尾松林土壤呼吸速率较高,且所有林地的土壤呼吸均呈现夏 > 春 > 秋 > 冬的季节动态。温度和湿度与土壤呼吸的相关性强,是水热条件丰富的亚热带山岳地区土壤呼吸季节变化的主导因素,其中武夷山茶园土壤呼吸对水热因子的响应在4种林地中最为敏感。除温度和湿度外,各林地土壤呼吸受P、K元素的影响较大,其中茶园主要受P元素影响,马尾松林地受K元素影响较多。     

Photosystem 2 photochemistry and pigment composition of a yellow mutant of rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) under different irradiances

A yellow leaf colouration mutant (named ycm) generated from rice T-DNA insertion lines was identified with less grana lamellae and low thylakoid membrane protein contents. At weak irradiance [50 μmol(photon) m⁻² s⁻¹], chlorophyll (Chl) contents of ycm were ≈20 % of those of WT and Chl a/b ratios were 3-fold that of wild type (WT). The leaf of ycm showed lower values in the actual photosystem 2 (PS2) efficiency (Φ_PS2), photochemical quenching (q_P), and the efficiency of excitation capture by open PS2 centres 1 (F_v′/F_m′) than those of WT, except no difference in the maximal efficiency of PS2 photochemistry (F_v/F_m). With progress in irradiance [100 and 200 μmol(photon) m⁻² s⁻¹], there was a change in the photosynthetic pigment stoichiometry. In ycm, the increase of total Chl contents and the decrease in Chl a/b ratio were observed. Φ_PS2, q_P, and F_v′/F_m′ of ycm increased gradually along with the increase of irradiance but still much less than in WT. The increase of xanthophyll ratio [(Z+A)/(V+A+Z)] associated with non-photochemical quenching (q_N) was found in ycm which suggested that ycm dissipated excess energy through the turnover of xanthophylls. No significant differences in pigment composition were observed in WT under various irradiances, except Chl a/b ratio that gradually decreased. Hence the ycm mutant developed much more tardily than WT, which was caused by low photon energy utilization independent of irradiance.     

Leaf Photosynthesis of the Mangrove Avicennia Germinans as Affected by NaCl

In leaves of the mangrove species Avicennia germinans (L.) L. grown in salinities from 0 to 40 ‰, fluorescence, gas exchange, and δ¹³C analyses were done. Predawn values of F_v/F_m were about 0.75 in all the treatments suggesting that leaves did not suffer chronic photoinhibition. Conversely, midday F_v/F_m values decreased to about 0.55-0.60 which indicated strong down-regulation of photosynthesis in all treatments. Maximum photosynthetic rate (P _max) was 14.58 ± 0.22 μmol m^-2 s^-1 at 0 ‰ it decreased by 21 and 37 % in plants at salinities of 10 and 40 ‰, respectively. Stomatal conductance (g _s) was profoundly responsive in comparison to P _max which resulted in a high water use efficiency. This was further confirmed by δ¹³C values, which increased with salinity. From day 3, after salt was removed from the soil solution, P _max and g _s increased up to 13 and 30 %, respectively. However, the values were still considerably lower than those measured in plants grown without salt addition. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

枯落物输入变化对云南松林地CO2释放的影响

为研究枯落物输入变化对云南松（Pinus yunnanensis）林地CO₂释放的影响。本研究于2018年3月至2020年2月,应用枯落物添加和去除实验（DIRT）,设置对照（CK）、双倍枯落物（DL）、去除枯落物（NL）、去除有机层和A层（O/A-Less）、去除根系（NR）和无输入（NI）6个处理水平,采用Li-6400便携式光合作用测量仪及TRIME-PICO 64/32土壤温度水分测定仪对不同处理样地每月的CO₂通量（R_s）、土壤温度和土壤水分（15cm）进行了测定。结果表明：（1）不同处理样地CO₂通量均呈现出明显的月变化,7至8月最高,1至4月最低,平均值表现为R_{s （DL）}=8.10 μmol m^-2 s^-1 > R_{s （CK）}=6.27 μmol m^-2 s^-1 > R_{s （NL）}=5.44 μmol m^-2 s^-1 > R_{s （NR）}=4.46 μmol m^-2 s^-1 > R_{s （O/A-Less）}=3.86 μmol m^-2 s^-1 > R_{s （NI）}=2.94 μmol m^-2 s^-1。（2）与CK相比,DL样地CO₂通量升高了29.12%,而去除地上枯落物和地下根系样地CO₂通量显著降低,CO₂通量平均变幅分别为α（NR）=-28.85%,α（NI）=-53.14%,α（O/A-Less）=-38.46%,α（NL）=-13.29%。（3）不同处理土壤水分和土壤温度均存在显著的月变化（P<0.01）,NL和O/A-Less的土壤水分显著低于CK,而其余处理与CK间无显著差异（P>0.05）;不同处理间土壤温度表现为NR和NI均显著高于CK,其余处理与CK间无显著差异（P>0.05）。（4）不同处理样地CO₂通量与土壤温度呈显著指数相关（P<0.01）,与土壤水分在NI和O/A-Less处理中无显著相关（P>0.05）;与CK相比,NI、O/A-Less和NL处理的Q₁₀增加,而NR和DL处理的Q₁₀则降低;不同处理林地CO₂通量与土壤水热因子双因素模型能更好的解释林地CO₂通量的变化。本研究表明枯落物不同处理通过改变土壤碳输入和土壤环境因子从而影响生态系统碳排放,研究结果可为未来气候变化和人为干扰下云南松林的碳循环提供基础数据。     

Light and desiccation responses of Weymouthia mollis and W. cochlearifolia,two pendulous rainforest epiphytes from Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

The two species of Weymouthia occur in temperate rainforest in south-east Australia, New Zealand and southern Chile. Weymouthia cochlearifolia forms patches on trunks and branches, but can be pendulous under suitable conditions. Weymouthia mollis is typically of 'pendant' life-form, hanging from twigs and branches in the canopy. Photosynthetic electron flow in W. cochlearifolia reached 95% saturation at 160 μmol m^-2 s^-1 PPFD; corresponding figures for W. mollis ranged from 176 to 307 μmol m^-2 s^-1 PPFD or more. Both species tolerated 30 d desiccation at -41 MPa (74% r. h.) but survived lower humidities less well; W. mollis was the more desiccation tolerant of the two. The fluorescence parameter F_v/F_m recovered rapidly on rewetting. It is suggested that the main desiderata for the pendant life-form are high and reasonably regular precipitation, some shelter from wind, and moderate (but not extreme) shade. These probably cannot be fully met around the year in deciduous forests at higher latitudes.     

Multiscale model intercomparisons of CO2 and H2O exchange rates in a maturing southeastern US pine forest

We compared four existing process‐based stand‐level models of varying complexity (physiological principles in predicting growth, photosynthesis and evapotranspiration, biogeochemical cycles, and stand to ecosystem carbon and evapotranspiration simulator) and a new nested model with 4 years of eddy‐covariance‐measured water vapor (LE) and CO₂ (Fc) fluxes at a maturing loblolly pine forest. The nested model resolves the ‘fast’ CO₂ and H₂O exchange processes using canopy turbulence theories and radiative transfer principles whereas slowly evolving processes were resolved using standard carbon allocation methods modified to improve leaf phenology. This model captured most of the intraannual variations in leaf area index (LAI), net ecosystem exchange (NEE), and LE for this stand in which maximum LAI was not at a steady state. The model comparisons suggest strong linkages between carbon production and LAI variability, especially at seasonal time scales. This linkage necessitates the use of multilayer models to reproduce the seasonal dynamics of LAI, NEE, and LE. However, our findings suggest that increasing model complexity, often justified for resolving faster processes, does not necessarily translate into improved predictive skills at all time scales. Additionally, none of the models tested here adequately captured drought effects on water and CO₂ fluxes. Furthermore, the good performance of some models in capturing flux variability on interannual time scales appears to stem from erroneous LAI dynamics and from sensitivity to droughts that injects unrealistic flux variability at longer time scales.     

Flight of the honey bee VII: metabolic power versus flight speed relation

The existing experimental data on metabolic power P _m of honey bees are critically discussed, partly corrected for real flight conditions and plotted as a function of flight speed v. New wind tunnel measurements of tethered flight under near-natural conditions are added in the range 3.3<v<5.1 m·s^-1, derived from exhaustion flight measurements. Within this small sector the latter measurements can be characterised by a linear correlation: P _m(mW)=6.72v (m·s^-1)+13.83, the slope of which is significantly different from zero. The over-all P _m(v) curve is significantly not a straight line of zero slope but a U-shaped minimum curve and may be approximated by a second-order polynom: P _m=49.2-8.9v+1.5v ². The same is true for relative metabolic power, P _{m rel (e)} related to empty body mass of 76.5 mg: P _{m rel(e)}=630.0-114.0v+19.2v ² (P _m in mW: P _{m rel} in mW·g^-1; v in m·s^-1). The data support the existence of a U-shaped power-versus-speed curve in bees.Abbreviations bm body mass (mg) - f full - e empty - mu muscles - P _m (mJ·s^-1=mW) metabolic power (input) - P _{m rel} (mW·g^-1) relative metabolic power - P _mec (mW) mechanical power (output) - efficiency (of the flight musculature) - t(s) flight time - v (m·s^-1) relative speed between bee and air     

Do the energy fluxes and surface conductance of boreal coniferous forests in Europe scale with leaf area?

Earth observing systems are now routinely used to infer leaf area index (LAI) given its significance in spatial aggregation of land surface fluxes. Whether LAI is an appropriate scaling parameter for daytime growing season energy budget, surface conductance (G_s), water‐ and light‐use efficiency and surface–atmosphere coupling of European boreal coniferous forests was explored using eddy‐covariance (EC) energy and CO₂ fluxes. The observed scaling relations were then explained using a biophysical multilayer soil–vegetation–atmosphere transfer model as well as by a bulk G_s representation. The LAI variations significantly alter radiation regime, within‐canopy microclimate, sink/source distributions of CO₂, H₂O and heat, and forest floor fluxes. The contribution of forest floor to ecosystem‐scale energy exchange is shown to decrease asymptotically with increased LAI, as expected. Compared with other energy budget components, dry‐canopy evapotranspiration (ET) was reasonably ‘conservative’ over the studied LAI range 0.5–7.0 m² m^?2. Both ET and G_s experienced a minimum in the LAI range 1–2 m² m^?2 caused by opposing nonproportional response of stomatally controlled transpiration and ‘free’ forest floor evaporation to changes in canopy density. The young forests had strongest coupling with the atmosphere while stomatal control of energy partitioning was strongest in relatively sparse (LAI ~2 m² m^?2) pine stands growing on mineral soils. The data analysis and model results suggest that LAI may be an effective scaling parameter for net radiation and its partitioning but only in sparse stands (LAI <3 m² m^?2). This finding emphasizes the significance of stand‐replacing disturbances on the controls of surface energy exchange. In denser forests, any LAI dependency varies with physiological traits such as light‐saturated water‐use efficiency. The results suggest that incorporating species traits and site conditions are necessary when LAI is used in upscaling energy exchanges of boreal coniferous forests.     

Assessment of photosynthetic performance in the two life history stages of Alaria crassifolia (Laminariales,Phaeophyceae)

Understanding of the physiological responses of kelp to environmental parameters is crucial, especially in the context of environmental change that may have contributed to the decline of kelp forests all over the world. The current study presents the photosynthetic characteristics of the macroscopic sporophyte and microscopic gametophyte stages of the brown alga Alaria crassifolia from Hokkaido, Japan, as determined by examining their photosynthetic responses over a range of temperature and irradiance using dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. Net photosynthetic rates of the sporophyte were consistently higher than those of gametophyte across temperature gradients and irradiance levels. Photosynthesis–irradiance curves at 8°C, 16°C, and 20°C revealed similar initial slopes (α = 0.4–0.9) on the two life history stages, but higher compensation (E _c = 4–7 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1) and saturation irradiances (E _k = 53–103 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1) for the sporophyte than for the gametophyte (E _c = 0–7 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1; E _k = 7–10 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1). Both stages exhibited chronic photoinhibition, as shown by the failure of recovery in their maximum quantum yields (F _v/F _m) following high irradiance stress, with greater possibility of photodamage at low temperature. Gametophytes were less sensitive to low temperatures than sporophytes, given their relatively stable F _v/F _m response. Nevertheless, temperature optima for photosynthesis of both stages coincide with each other at 20–23°C, which correspond to the growth and maturation periods of A. crassifolia in Japan. This species is also likely to suffer from thermal inhibition as both GP rates and F _v/F _m decreased above 24°C.     

Changes of fluorescence and xanthophyll pigments during dehydration in the resurrection plantSelaginella lepidophylla in low and medium light intensities

The changes in photosynthetic efficiency and photosynthetic pigments during dehydration of the resurrection plantSelaginella lepidophylla (from the Chiuhahuan desert, S.W. Texas, USA) were examined under different light conditions. Changes in the photosynthetic efficiency were deduced from chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements (F_o, F_m, and F_v) and pigment changes were measured by HPLC analysis. A small decrease in F_v/F_m was seen in hydrated stems in high light (650 μmol photons·m⁻²·s⁻¹) but not in low light (50 μmol photons·m⁻²·s⁻¹). However, a pronounced decline in F_v/F_m was observed during dehydration in both light treatments, after one to two hours of dehydration. A rise in F_o was observed only after six to ten hours of dehydration. Concomitant with the decrease in photosynthetic efficiency during dehydration a rise in the xanthophyll zeaxanthin was observed, even in low-light treatments. The increase in zeaxanthin can be related to previously observed photoprotective non-photochemical quenching of fluorescence in dehydrating stems ofS. lepidophylla. We hypothesize that under dehydrating conditions even low light levels become excessive and zeaxanthin-related photoprotection is engaged. We speculate that these processes, as well as stem curling and self shading (Eickmeier et al. 1992), serve to minimize photoinhibitory damage toS. lepidophylla during the process of dehydration.     

Physiological ecology of photosynthesis in Prasiola stipitata (Trebouxiophyceae) from the Bay of Fundy,Canada

The physiological ecology of Prasiola stipitata was examined in situ from two supralittoral sites in the Bay of Fundy (Nova Scotian, Canada) during November 2011, when the population was undergoing major expansion. Photosynthetic parameters (effective quantum yield, Φ_PSII, maximum quantum yield, F_v/F_m, and relative electron transport rate, rETR) were evaluated using chlorophyll fluorescence of PSII. A largely shaded and continuously moist population showed no change in Φ_PSII from one hour after sunrise to sunset in which natural irradiance varied between 3 and 300 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1. High irradiance (up to 1800 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1) had no apparent negative impacts on either quantum yield or rETR, but high desiccation in the field reduced quantum yield to almost zero. When thalli were brought into the laboratory, no change in F_v/F_m was observed up to 60% dehydration; however, there was a steep decline in F_v/F_m between 60% and 85% dehydration. Thalli showed complete recovery of F_v/F_m within one hour of reimmersion in seawater after 2 days of desiccation. After 15 days of desiccation full recovery required 24 h and after 30 days of desiccation thalli showed only partial recovery. These observations confirm the adaptation to photosynthesis in high irradiances and the rapid recovery following extreme desiccation observed in other Prasiola species.     

Recovery of photosynthesis and phtosystem II fluorescence in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii after exposure to three levels of high light

Recovery from 60 min of photoinhibitory treatment at photosynthetic photon flux densities of 500, 1400 and 2200 μMmol m^?2 s^? was followed in cells of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii grown at 125 μMmol m^?2 s^?1. These light treatments represent photoregulation, moderate photoinhibition and strong photoinhibition, respectively. Treatment in photoregulatory light resulted in an increased maximal rate of oxygen evolution (P_max) and an increased quantum yield (Φ), but a 15% decrease in F_v/F_M. Treatment at moderately photoinhibitory light resulted in a 30% decrease in F_v/F_M and an approximately equal decrease in Φ. Recovery in dim light restored F_v/F_M within 15 and 45 min after high light treatment at 500 and 1400 μMmol m^?2 s^?1, respectively. Convexity (Θ), a measure of the extent of co-limitation between PS II turnover and whole-chain electron transport, and Φ approached, but did not reach the control level during recovery after exposure to 1400 μMmol m^?2 s^?1, whereas P_max increased above the control. Treatment at 2200 μMmol m^?2 s^?1 resulted in a strong reduction of the modeled parameters Φ, Θ and P_max. Subsequent recovery was initially rapid but the rate decreased, and a complete recovery was not reached within 120 min. Based on the results, it is hypothesized that exposure to high light results in two phenomena. The first, expressed at all three light intensities, involves redistribution within the different aspects of PS II heterogeneity rather than a photoinhibitory destruction of PS II reaction centers. The second, most strongly expressed at 2200 μmol m^?2 s^?1, is a physical damage to PS II shown as an almost total loss of PS II_α and PS II Q_B-reducing centers. Thus recovery displayed two phase, the first was rapid and the only visible phase in algae exposed to 500 and 1400 μmol m^?2 s^?1. The second phase was slow and visible only in the later part of recovery in cells exposed to 2200 μmol m^?2 s^?1.     

Response of soil respiration to temperature and soil moisture: Effects of different vegetation types on a small scale in the eastern Loess Plateau of China

Soil respiration is affected by vegetation and environmental conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vegetation type on soil respiration, temperature and water content, and their correlations on a small scale. We measured soil respiration rate (R_s) over a 3-year period at biweekly intervals in three plots in the eastern Loess Plateau of China, with the same soil texture but different vegetation types: pine forest, grassland, and shrub land. Simultaneously, soil temperature (T_s) at 10 cm depth and soil water content (W_s) within 10 cm depth were measured. The seasonal course of R_s and T_s showed a similar temporal variation in the three plots, with higher values in summer and autumn and lower values in winter and spring. No significant differences (P>0.05) were found between plots, except for W_s. The mean cumulative release of CO₂ efflux from March to December was 962.5, 1027.5, and 1166.5 g C m^? 2 a^? 1 for plots 1, 2, and 3, respectively, with no significant difference between plots. The fitted exponential equations of R_s versus T_s from the 3-year data-set were significant (P < 0.05) with an R² of 0.72, 0.64, and 0.72 for plots 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The calculated Q₁₀ from the parameters of the fitted equation was 3.57, 3.52, and 3.61, and the R₁₀ was 2.36, 2.03, and 2.37 μmol CO₂ m^? 2 s^? 1 for plots 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Compared with the T_s, the correlations between R_s and W_s were not significant for the three plots. However, if the T_s was above 10°C, then their correlation was significant, and W_s had an impact on R_s. Four combined regression equations including two variables of T_s and W_s could be well established to model correlations between R_s and both T_s and W_s. Our study demonstrated that the exponential and power model fitted best and no significant different correlations of combined equations existed between the three plots. These results show that vegetation type had little impact on R_s, T_s, W_s, and their correlations, as well as on related parameters such as Q₁₀ and R₁₀. Therefore, while doing R_s research in a horizontal patchy vegetation conditions on a small area, the sampling location of measurements should focus on vertical dominant vegetation and ignore patch vegetation so as to reduce field work load.