Reduction of photosynthesis before midday depression occurred: leaf photosynthesis of Fagus crenata in a temperate forest in relation to canopy position and a number of days after rainfall

We investigated an effect of canopy position and a number of days after rainfall on reduction of photosynthetic rate in a Fagus crenata forest in summer 2008, during days when midday depression was not apparent. We compared in situ photosynthetic rate and photosynthetic rate that was calculated by photosynthetic light response curves measured in the morning. The ratio, in situ photosynthesis divided by the curve-estimated value, declined towards the end of each day for the upper leaves, but not for the lower leaves. Total photosynthesis was reduced only for the upper leaves by 12% during 5 days after the rainfall.