Abstract

Authors

KOSUGI Yoshiko, TAKANASHI Satoru, YOKOTYAMA Naoto, PHILIP Elizabeth, KAMAKURA Mai

Year

2012

Title

Vertical variation in leaf gas exchange parameters for a Southeast Asian tropical rainforest in Peninsular Malaysia

Journal

Journal of Plant Research

Volume

125(6)

Page

735-748

DOI

10.1007/s10265-012-0495-5

Keywords

Tropical rainforest, Net assimilation rate, Stomatal conductance, Electron transport rate, Leaf respiration rate, LMA

URL

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10265-012-0495-5

Abstract

Vertical variation in leaf gas exchange characteristics of trees grown in a lowland dipterocarp forest in Peninsular Malaysia was investigated. Maximum net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and electron transport rate of leaves at the upper canopy, lower canopy, and forest floor were studied in situ with saturated condition photosynthetic photon flux density. The dark respiration rate of leaves at the various heights was also studied. Relationships among gas exchange characteristics, and also with nitrogen content per unit leaf area and leaf dry matter per area were clearly detected, forming general equations representing the vertical profile of several important parameters related to gas exchange. Numerical analysis revealed that the vertical distribution of gas exchange parameters was well determined showing both larger carbon gain for the whole canopy and at the same time positive carbon gain for the leaves of the lowest layer. For correct estimation of gas exchange at both leaf and canopy scales using multi-layer models, it is essential to consider the vertical distribution of gas exchange parameters with proper scaling coefficients.

Site

PSO

Remarks