Reproductive patterns of Betula pendula and B. pubescens coll. along a regional altitudinal gradient in northern Sweden

The Scandinavian birches have different distribution patterns Betula pendula reaches its upper tree limit at the bottom of the valleys in the Scandes, while B pubescens ssp pubescens extends above the B pendula limit, and merges into B pubescens ssp tortuosa at higher elevations In a 6 yr study I quantified the spatial and temporal variation in the reproduction of these species along a regional altitudinal gradient Betula pendula showed a steeper altitudinal decrease of seed germinability and seed germination rate than B pubescens coll Seed weight was strongly and positively correlated with altitude for B pubescens , but not for B pendula The proportion of seeds infected by gall midges Semudobia coll, was much higher in B pendula than in B pubescens coll especially in the mountain area All birch taxa showed large annual variations in quantity and quality of seeds The sapling density was higher in B pubescens ssp pubescens stands than in B pendula and B pubescens ssp tortuosa stands in the mountains The vegetative reproduction was about three times higher for B pubescens ssp tortuosa , than for the other two birches These results indicate that the altitudinal variation in reproduction among the birch taxa mirror their present distribution patterns     

Reproductive variability and pollen limitation in three Betula taxa in northern Sweden

This 3-yr study documents large variation in pollination and seed quality in birches (Betula) in northern Sweden between taxa, high and low altitude populations, and among years Seed quality was positively correlated with pollination degree and improved by pollen supplementation in B pubescens ssp pubescens in the mountain area, indicating pollen limitation Betula pendula showed the same tendency, but less pronounced Reduced sexual reproduction of B pendula in the mountain area might more often be due to limited resources for seed maturation and defense of the seeds against predispersal seed predation In contrast, coastal populations of both species display relatively high pollination rates and supplemental pollination had no effect on seed quality, suggesting that pollen limitation is rare or absent here The mountain birch Betula pubescens ssp tortuosa showed generally lower pollination and seed quality compared with B pubescens ssp pubescens , but not compared with mountain populations of B pendula It is concluded that pollen limitation may occur in Betula , but to what extent varies with taxon, altitude and year The seed quality is also strongly affected by other factors such as infections of gall midges (Semudobia spp, Diptera Cecidomyndae) and incomplete seed maturation     

Stomatal frequency of Betula pubescens and Pinus sylvestris shows no proportional relationship with atmospheric CO2 concentration

We investigated the relationship between stomatal frequency and a range of atmospheric CO₂ concentrations ([CO₂]_atm) in Betula pubescens and Pinus sylvestris , two important boreal trees in Scandinavia. If strong relationships exist, they can be used to reconstruct past [CO₂]_atm from stomatal frequency of fossil Betula and Pinus leaves. Responses of epidermal characters (stomatal density (SD), epidermal cell density (ED), stomatal index (SI)) to different CO₂ concentrations were investigated utilising (1) the lower partial pressure of CO₂ at increasing altitudes for B. pubescens , and in herbarium specimens of B. pubescens and P. sylvestris collected during the post-industrial rise of [CO₂]_atm from c. 280 ppmv to c. 360 ppmv in 1997 and (2) concentrations (560 ppmv) and temperatures (3° summer) above present day in the CLIMEX greenhouse experiment. All the results show no clear relationship between SD or SI and [CO₂] _atm for either B. pubescens or P. sylvestris. Most likely there are stronger genetically and environmentally induced factors that affect the development of the leaves. Problems with collecting representative samples from herbarium specimens are discussed. Since the effects of changes in [CO₂]_atm cannot be statistically modelled, B. pubescens and P. sylvestris are not suitable for reconstructing past atmospheric CO₂ concentrations from fossil leaves using stomatal density or stomatal index     

The influence of water stress on the photosynthetic performance and stomatal behaviour of tree seedlings subjected to variation in temperature and irradiance

Summary Seedlings of Betula pendula Roth. and Gmelina arborea L. were subjected to variation in temperature and irradiance. The influence of a mild water-stressing treatment on the photosynthetic performance and stomatal behaviour of these plants was assessed. For both species, the shape of the relationships between irradiance and photosynthesis and temperature and photosynthesis resembled those reported for other species. The effect of water stress was to reduce the rate of photosynthesis, particularly at high temperatures. This was largely a function of a reduction in mesophyll conductance under these conditions. The optimum temperature for stomatal opening was significantly lower than the optimum temperature for photosynthesis, which was in turn lowered by the water stress treatment. The stomata of birch seedlings showed maximum opening at an intermediate temperature while the stomata of Gmelina generally exhibited a closing movement when leaf temperatures increased from 15° C. Mesophyll conductances of both species increased with increasing temperature.The physiological basis for the variation in photosynthetic performance and stomatal behaviour and the ecological significance of this variation are discussed.     

SEASONAL PATTERNS OF CO2 AND WATER VAPOR EXCHANGE OF JUNCUS ROEMERIANUS SCHEELE IN A GEORGIA SALT MARSH

CO₂ and water vapor exchange studies of intact plants of black needle rush (Juncus roemerianus Scheele) were conducted in an undisturbed marsh community on Sapelo Island, Georgia. The seasonal patterns of the light and temperature responses of net photosynthesis, transpiration, leaf diffusive conductance, water-use efficiency and respiration were determined five times over the year. Internal resistances to CO₂ uptake were also evaluated. Net photosynthesis was highest in early spring, but declined only slightly through the year. A distinct and moderate temperature optimum of net photosynthesis was observed with decreasing rates above 30 C. Leaf conductances to water vapor were similar at all seasons and were high at cooler temperatures and decreased with increasing temperature. Transpiration was relatively high and constant during all seasons. The water-use efficiency of photosynthesis was high below 25 C, but decreased sharply above that temperature. Dark respiration was relatively low. Seasonal changes reflected changes in leaf density. Decreasing stomatal conductances and increasing respiration rates reduced net photosynthesis at higher temperatures. The stomatal resistance increased and internal resistances to CO₂ uptake decreased over the year, but the total resistance remained constant. The internal resistance to CO₂ uptake was consistently higher than the stomatal resistance. These seasonal response patterns show that J. roemerianus is well adapted to the seasonal changes in ambient temperature and irradiance and other microenvironmental factors in the high marsh. These physiological characteristics permit this C₃ species to maintain a high productivity in a seasonally hot and stressful environment.     

Variation in Betula pubescens Ehrh. (Betulaceae) in Scotland: its nature and association with environmental factors

A classification, based on climatological, topographical and geological attributes and developed by Bunce, Barr & Whittaker (1981: Annual Report of the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, U.K. 1980) for stratifying the U.K. into 32 land classes, was used to ensure objectivity when sampling the range of variation within Betula spp. in northern Britain.
Seeds of Betula spp. were collected, wherever possible, from each of ten woodland trees in three geographically distinct locations of each of 12 land classes known to 'carry' Betula species. Trees in a thirteenth land class, restricted to the west of Scotland, were inaccessible.
Seedlings from 170 of 196 trees were attributed to B. pubescens which occurred in all 12 land classes: the remaining 26 trees were identified as B. pendula which is restricted to five land classes in southern and eastern Scotland.
Detailed analyses of plant morphological and phenological features using principal component analyses, cluster analyses and canonical variance analyses showed that leaf size, shape and hairiness were good discriminators of variation, as was the occurrence of fruitbodies of Laccaria proxima , a sheathing (ecto-)mycorrhizal fungus. These discriminators enabled the seedlings to be arranged in a nuniber of distinctive groups: sredlings with drooping branclirs and small laves, chararteristirs of B. pubescens subspecies tortuosa , originating from westerly and wet locations to seedlings with upright branches arid large leaves originating from easterly and dry locations.
Leaf lengths and the increasing frequency of petiolar hairs were related to maximum July trmperaturcs and mcasurrs of oceanicity (at the sites of origin).     

Physiological responses of beech and sessile oak in a natural mixed stand during a dry summer

Responses of CO2 assimilation and stomatal conductance to decreasing leaf water potential, and to environmental factors, were analysed in a mixed natural stand of sessile oak (Quercus petraea ssp. medwediewii) and beech (Fagus svlvatica L.) in Greece during the exceptionally dry summer of 1998. Seasonal courses of leaf water potential were similar for both species, whereas mean net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were always higher in sessile oak than in beech. The relationship between net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance was strong for both species. Sessile oak had high rates of photosynthesis even under very low leaf water potentials and high air temperatures, whereas the photosynthetic rate of beech decreased at low water potentials. Diurnal patterns were similar in both species but sessile oak had higher rates of CO2 assimilation than beech. Our results indicate that sessile oak is more tolerant of drought than beech, due, in part, to its maintenance of photosynthesis at low water potential.     

Sun and shade leaves in Betula pubescens and Betula pendula

Summary

Measurements of the net photosynthesis and dark respiration rates of excised twigs from Betula pubescens Ehrh. subsp. odorata (Bechst.) Warburg and B. pendula Roth, at different light intensities were made using infra-red gas analysis. B. pubescens appears to possess leaves which on the basis of physiological responses can be described as sun and shade leaves. In the more open canopy of B. pendula differences between leaf types are less pronounced. The presence of sun and shade leaves is suggested as a means whereby the net assimilation rate of the shrubby growth form of B. pubescens can be increased. This type of mechanism becomes increasingly important at high altitudes and latitudes.     

岳桦幼苗光合特性和非结构性碳水化合物积累对干旱胁迫的响应

以长白山林线树种岳桦为对象,利用生长控制试验进行干旱处理,研究干旱对岳桦幼苗光合特性及非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)积累的影响.结果表明:干旱显著降低了岳桦幼苗的净光合速率和气孔导度,提高了其水分利用效率;干旱显著增加了岳桦幼苗叶、皮、干和根中的可溶性糖和总NSC的含量,但显著降低了淀粉含量;随着干旱的持续,叶片的气孔导...     

Limitations to photosynthesis in coffee leaves from different canopy positions.

Limitations to photosynthesis were explored in leaves from four canopy positions of field-grown, unshaded coffee (Coffea arabica L.), a tropical tree species classified as shade-obligatory. Overall, compared to shade (lower) leaves, sun (upper) leaves had higher net carbon assimilation rate (A) (4.5 against 2.0mumolm(-2)s(-1) at most) associated with higher electron transport rate (due to a greater irradiance availability) but unrelated to stomatal and mesophyll conductances, which were similar regardless of leaf position. Neither physiological variable directly involved with photosynthetic carbon gain nor those involved with light capture were able to adjust themselves to match the capacity of the photosynthetic machinery to the light supply. We concluded that: (i) there was no major difference in photosynthetic capacity between sun and shade leaves; (ii) the intrinsic low A in coffee was greatly associated with remarkable low diffusive limitations rather than with biochemical or photochemical constraints; and (iii) morphological (e.g., variations in specific leaf area and leaf inclination) or anatomical plasticity should be of greater acclimative value than physiological plasticity as a mean of coffee leaves to respond to changing irradiance.     

Photosynthetic efficiency during ontogenesis of leaves of Betula pendula

Abstract. Net photosynthesis, photosynthetic electron transport, and leaf area density of photosynthetic units have been studied in developing, mature, and old leaves of seedlings of Betula pendula . The photosynthetic quantum yield under light-limiting conditions and the leaf area related rale of light-saturated net photosynthesis were lower in developing than in mature and old leaves. Developing leaves also had more oxygen inhibition of photosynthesis, a lower pool size of plastoquinone in the electron transport chain, a lower chlorophyll content and a lower leaf area density of photosynthetic units than mature and old leaves. The photosynthetic properties of The oldest leaves resulted partly from acclimation to shade and partly from a different ontogeny to that of younger leaves.     

Sexual differences in gas exchange and response to environmental stress in dioecious Silene latifolia (Caryophyllaceae)

Females of dioecious species usually have higher reproductive effort than males because they produce fruits in addition to flowers. Since females have higher reproductive effort, they are expected to be more negatively affected than males by low resource availability. We tested that assumption by growing females and males of Silene latifolia under low levels of light, water, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Gas exchange of the sexes did not respond differently to low resource availability; higher female reproductive effort relative to males did not differentially affect their ability to assimilate carbon. However, male photosynthesis rates and stomatal conductances were slightly, but consistently, higher than those of females. The intersexual difference in photosynthesis rate may be a proximate result of reproduction if females translocate nutrients, particularly nitrogen, from their leaves to developing fruits. Alternatively (or perhaps additionally), higher male photosynthesis and stomatal conductances relative to females may be the ultimate result of sexual selection. This could be the case if 1) reproductive effort as estimated by biomass allocation is misleading and males actually invest more in reproduction than females, or 2) females experience stronger selection than males to conserve water late in the growing season, when soil moisture is likely to be low but females need to complete fruit maturation. Our results indicated that females had slightly lower leaf nitrogen but higher photosynthetic water-use efficiency than males, so it is possible that both proximate and ultimate factors are operating simultaneously to cause lower female photosynthesis rates.     

Ozone exposure over two growing seasons alters root-to-shoot ratio and chemical composition of birch (Betula pendula Roth)

Physiological and chemical responses of 17 birch (Betula pendula Roth) clones to 1.5–1.7 × ambient ozone were studied in an open‐field experiment over two growing seasons. The saplings were studied for growth, foliar visible injuries, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll, carotenoid, Rubisco, total soluble protein, macronutrient and phenolic concentrations in leaves. Elevated ozone resulted in growth enhancement, changes in shoot‐to‐root (s/r) ratio, visible foliar injuries, reduced stomatal conductance, lower late‐season net photosynthesis, foliar nutrient imbalance, changes in phenolic composition, and reductions in pigment, Rubisco and soluble protein contents indicating accelerated leaf senescence. Majority of clones responded to ozone by changing C allocation towards roots, by stomatal closure (reduced ozone uptake), and by investment in low‐cost foliar antioxidants to avoid and tolerate ozone stress. A third of clones, showing increased s/r ratio, relied on inducible efficient high‐cost antioxidants, and enhanced leaf production to compensate ozone‐caused decline in leaf‐level net photosynthesis. However, the best ozone tolerance was found in two s/r ratio‐unaffected clones showing a high constitutive amount of total phenolics, investment in low‐cost antioxidants and N distribution to leaves, and lower stomatal conductance under ozone stress. The results highlight the importance of phenolic compounds in ozone defence mechanisms in the birch population. Depending on the genotype, ozone detoxification was improved by an increase in either efficient high‐cost or less efficient low‐cost antioxidative phenolics, with close connections to whole‐plant physiology.     

基质温度对三角梅插穗生根及其叶片光合作用的影响

探讨了智能调控下18、20、25、30、33℃的5个基质温度处理对三角梅叶片光合作用及插穗生根的影响.结果表明:随着基质温度上升,三角梅插穗叶片净光合速率增加,18、20℃处理的净光合速率较低,两处理间未见显著性差异,但均显著地低于处理间未见明显差异的25、30、33℃处理.随着基质温度上升,叶片蒸腾速率、气孔导度及胞...     

6种热带雨林木本植物幼苗光合诱导的研究

 在晴天上午适宜条件下,测定了生长在模拟林下光环境中的6种热带雨林木本植物幼苗的光合特性和光合诱导特征。6种植物分别为先锋树种大穗野桐(Mallotus macrostachys),冠层树种绒毛番龙眼(Pometia tomentosa)、玉蕊(Barringtonia pendala)、望天树(Shorea chinensis)、滇南插柚紫(Linociera insignis)和林下灌木睫毛粗叶木(Lasianthus hookeri)。研究结果表明：暗处理3 h的叶片经连续饱和强光照射后,6种植物的净光合速率呈s形到双曲线形。6种植物达到90%最大净光合速率的时间为4.4～12.5 min,这与所报道的其它热带雨林中一些阴生植物的诱导速率相近。大穗野桐和睫毛粗叶木的诱导速率最快,达到50%和90%最大净光合速率的时间为其它4种冠层植物幼苗的1/2至1/3。诱导过程中,最大气孔导度对强光的响应明显滞后于净光合速率。充分诱导的叶片在黑暗中20 min后,6种植物的诱导状态都较高。其中,大穗野桐的诱导状态消失相对较快,这可能与其气孔导度和羧化能力的快速降低有关。玉蕊诱导状态的消失主要与生化限制有关,因为此时它的气孔导度仍维持相对较高的值。而睫毛粗叶木较高的气孔导度和羧化能力的维持导致了很高的诱导状态。林下植物这种对强光的快速反应和黑暗中高的维持状态对有效利用光斑具有重要的意义,这与其一生中在林下生长和更新的特点是一致的。     

Recent invasion of the mountain birch Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa above the treeline due to climate change: genetic and ecological study in northern Sweden

Mountain birch, Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa, forms the treeline in northern Sweden. A recent shift in the range of the species associated with an elevation of the treeline is commonly attributed to climate warming. Using microsatellite markers, we explored the genetic structure of populations along an altitudinal gradient close to the treeline. Low genetic differentiation was found between populations, whereas high genetic diversity was maintained within populations. High level of gene flow compensated for possible losses of genetic diversity at higher elevations and dissipated the founding effect of newly established populations above the treeline. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed low spatial genetic structure within populations because of extensive gene flow. At the treeline, significant genetic structure within the juvenile age class at small distances did not persist in the adult age class, indicating recent expansion of young recruits due to the warming of the climate. Finally, seedling performance above the treeline was positively correlated with parameters related to temperature. These data confirm the high migration potential of the species in response to fluctuating environmental conditions and indicate that it is now invading higher altitudes due to the recent warming of the climate.     

Extensive sharing of chloroplast haplotypes among European birches indicates hybridization among Betula pendula, B. pubescens and B. nana

Extensive sharing of chloroplast haplotypes among the silver birch, Betula pendula Roth., the downy birch, B. pubescens Ehrh., and the dwarf birch, B. nana L., was discovered using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymporphism markers. The geographical component of the genetic variation was stronger than the species component: the species were not significantly different while 11% of the variation could be attributed to differentiation between the two main regions studied, Scandinavia and western Russia. All haplotypes occurring in more than 2% of the individuals were shared among the species and the introgression ratios were quite large: 0.79 between B. pubescens and B. pendula and 0.67 between B. pubescens and B. nana. The data also indicate that B. pendula individuals are more similar to sympatric B. pubescens than to B. pendula individuals from nearby forests. However, this trend is not as pronounced when B. pubescens is considered, suggesting that introgression is not symmetrical. The haplotype sharing among the three Betula species is most likely caused by hybridization and subsequent cytoplasmic introgression.     

Functional and evolutionary correlations of steep leaf angles in the mexical shrubland

In the evergreen shrubland vegetation of Mexico (mexical), most of the species are sclerophyllous woody plants with steep leaf angles. This architectural pattern has been interpreted as a strategy to cope with water shortages and high radiation. However, the current association between evergreenness and steep leaf angles across mexical plant species could be the result of an adaptive association achieved through correlated evolutionary change between both traits or, alternatively, may be the result of common evolutionary ancestry. In this study, we quantified leaf angle in 28 dominant species under a phylogenetic framework and evaluated the functional implications of the observed range of leaf angles in terms of leaf temperature, water potentials and transpiration by combining manipulative experiments restraining leaves horizontally with microclimatic and stomatal conductance measurements in selected species and energy balance calculations. Horizontally restrained leaves exhibited reduced water potentials and stomatal conductances, and significantly increased temperatures and transpiration rates. Steeply inclined leaves operated near air temperatures and could sustain relatively high stomatal conductances during the dry season since they were associated with low transpiration rates. Phylogenetic analyses showed that steep leaf angles evolved in a correlated fashion in evergreen species. The functional consequences of leaf angle together with the phylogenetic analysis indicate the adaptive nature of this trait which allows the evergreen species to cope with arid conditions and therefore to persist within the mexical community.     

Effects of extreme temperatures on the growth and photosynthesis of invasive Bidens alba and its native congener B. biternata

Temperatures are expected to fluctuate widely under climate change but little is known about how extreme temperatures might affect the physiology and performance of invasive compared to native plant species. In this study, we evaluated the effects of high (40/35°C) and low (10/5°C) temperature regimes on the growth and photosynthesis of the invasive Asteraceae species Bidens alba and its native congener B. biternata using a growth chamber experiment. Results showed that invasive B. alba had significantly greater total biomass and relative growth rate, accompanied by higher net photosynthetic rate (Pn), than native B. biternata at both low and high temperature extremes. The reduction in Pn for B. alba was mainly caused by stomatal limitations, but for B. biternata it was caused by non‐stomatal factors, indicating that greater damage to physiological processes may occur in native B. biternata under both low and high temperature stress. Higher cyclic electron flow around photosystem I in invasive B. alba than in native B. biternata under extreme temperatures might alleviate the negative effect of temperature extremes to photosynthetic and thus promote its photosynthetic efficiency. To conclude, the invasive B. alba has both greater cold and heat tolerance than its native congener B. biternata, suggesting that the invader may outperform native species under future extreme temperature conditions.     

高粱、紫苏叶脉密度与光合特性的关系

叶脉是植物叶片光合作用水分输送的重要结构。为阐述叶脉与光合特性之间的关系,以C4植物高粱(Sorghum bicolor)、C3植物紫苏(Perilla frutescens)为实验材料研究了叶脉密度和光合特性之间的关系。结果表明,与紫苏相比,高粱叶片叶脉密度大,导水能力强,蒸腾速率高,但气孔密度小。进一步分析表明,高粱叶片近轴侧气孔密度占总气孔的比例明显高于紫苏。叶脉密度大的高粱具有较高的净光合速率;而紫苏叶脉密度小,净光合速率也较低。由此表明,较高的叶脉密度有利于支持较高的光合速率,但研究表明叶脉密度和气孔密度可能不存在严格的协同变异关系。研究结果对理解植物光合作用适应有重要意义。