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Within-canopy variation in photosynthetic capacity, SLA and foliar N in temperate broad-leaved trees with contrasting shade tolerance

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Abstract

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The relative shade tolerance of T. cordata , F. sylvatica , and C. betulus in mature stands is based on different species-specific carbon and nitrogen allocation patterns.

Abstract

The leaf morphology and photosynthetic capacity of trees are remarkably plastic in response to intra-canopy light gradients. While most studies examined seedlings, it is not well understood how plasticity differs in mature trees among species with contrasting shade tolerance. We studied light-saturated net photosynthesis (A max), maximum carboxylation rate (V cmax), electron transport capacity (J max) and leaf dark respiration (R d) along natural light gradients in the canopies of 26 adult trees of five broad-leaved tree species in a mixed temperate old-growth forest (Fraxinus excelsior, Acer pseudoplatanus, Carpinus betulus, Tilia cordata and Fagus sylvatica), representing a sequence from moderately light-demanding to highly shade-tolerant species. We searched for species differences in the dependence of photosynthetic capacity on relative irradiance (RI), specific leaf area (SLA) and nitrogen per leaf area (N a ). The three shade-tolerant species (C. betulus, T. cordata, F. sylvatica) differed from the two more light-demanding species by the formation of shade leaves with particularly high SLA but relatively low N a and consequently lower area-based A max, and a generally higher leaf morphological and functional plasticity across the canopy. Sun leaf morphology and physiology were more similar among the two groups. The three shade-tolerant species differed in their shade acclimation strategies which are primarily determined by the species’ plasticity in SLA. Under low light, T. cordata and F. sylvatica increased SLA, mass-based foliar N and leaf size, while C. betulus increased solely SLA exhibiting only low intra-crown plasticity in leaf morphology and N allocation patterns. This study with mature trees adds to our understanding of tree species differences in shade acclimation strategies under the natural conditions of a mixed old-growth forest.

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Abbreviations

A max :

Light-saturated net photosynthesis rate under ambient CO2 concentration

Ap:

Acer pseudoplatanus

Cb:

Carpinus betulus

C i :

Intercellular CO2 concentration

DBH:

Diameter at breast height

Fe:

Fraxinus excelsior

Fs:

Fagus sylvatica

J max :

Maximum electron transport rate

N a :

Nitrogen per leaf area

N m :

Nitrogen per leaf mass

R d :

Leaf dark respiration rate calculated from the A/C i curve

RI:

Relative irradiance

SLA:

Specific leaf area (area per leaf mass)

Tc:

Tilia cordata

V cmax :

Maximum carboxylation rate

VPD:

Atmospheric water vapour saturation deficit

Suffix ‘a’:

Scaled to leaf area

Suffix ‘m’:

Scaled to leaf mass

Suffix ‘N’:

Scaled to leaf nitrogen

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) for financially supporting the study through ‘Graduiertenkolleg 1086: The role of biodiversity for biogeochemical cycles and biotic interactions in temperate deciduous forest’. We also thank Dirk Deilke and Ulrich Werder (Goettingen Experimental Botanical Garden) and the student helpers for their support in operating the mobile lift in the forest. We thank the administration of Hainich National Park (especially Jens Wilhelm) for manifold support and granting access to the forest and Paul Köcher for good cooperation in the field.

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  1. N. Legner

    Present address: Division of Agronomy, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073, Göttingen, Germany

    N. Legner, S. Fleck & C. Leuschner

  2. Intensive Environmental Monitoring, Northwest German Forest Research Station, Göttingen, Germany

    S. Fleck

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  1. N. Legner
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Correspondence to C. Leuschner.

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Communicated by A. Gessler.

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Legner, N., Fleck, S. & Leuschner, C. Within-canopy variation in photosynthetic capacity, SLA and foliar N in temperate broad-leaved trees with contrasting shade tolerance. Trees 28, 263–280 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-013-0947-0

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