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Enhanced photosynthesis and flower production in a sagebrush morphotype associated with animal burrows

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Abstract

Two morphotypes of the evergreen shrub Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis occur in the Shirley Basin of central Wyoming (USA), one of which was associated exclusively with Mima-like mounds generated by animal burrowing activity. Measured on a particularly dry year according to a 34-year precipitation record, plants growing on mounds (M) versus inter-mound locations (IM)were taller with greater leaf biomass and leaf area per unit ground area, and had over 90% of all inflorescences. As a result, the landscape consists of a patchy distribution of reproductive islands (~ 20-40 m-2 in size) separated by a mean distance of ~ 30 m. In addition, greater photosynthesis per unit leaf area occurred for M plants when ephemeral leaves dominated total leaf area in spring and early summer, as well as during short time periods (< 3 days) following sporadic rainfall events in summer when only perennial leaves were present. As a result, estimated total annual carbon gain was 41% greater for M plants from May to mid-June, but was not significantly different from IM plants for the remainder of the season, resulting in a total summer carbon gain that was 14% greater in M plants. Stomatal and nonstomatal conductances to CO2 uptake were also greater for the ephemeral leaves of M plants, along with lower internal CO2 concentrations (193 ± 4 μl l-1 vs. 209 ± 8 μl-1, respectively). M plants also maintained higher xylem water potentials throughout most of the growth season (−1.1 ± 0.1 SD MPa in May, declining to −4.4 ± 0.3 SD MPa in August), along with higher water use efficiencies (photosynthesis/transpiration). M and IM soils did not differ significantly in total organic or nitrate contents, although leaf nitrogen content was higher in M plants when photosynthesis was also greater. Photosynthesis in M plants also responded more positively to afternoon showers greater than about 7 mm compared to IM plants. Thus, improved water and nutrient relations was associated with enhanced photosynthetic carbon gain in M plants, enabling greater flower production. Moreover, morphotypic plasticity coupled with the effects of animal burrows may have substantially increased sexual reproductive success in A. t. wyomingensis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Idaho State University, Pocatella, Idaho, 83209-8007, USA

    Judsen P. Hill

  2. Nikolas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27708-0304, USA

    Cynthia J. Willson

  3. Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27109-7325, USA

    William K. Smith

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  1. Judsen P. Hill
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  2. Cynthia J. Willson
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  3. William K. Smith
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Correspondence to William K. Smith.

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Hill, J.P., Willson, C.J. & Smith, W.K. Enhanced photosynthesis and flower production in a sagebrush morphotype associated with animal burrows. Plant Ecol 177, 1–12 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-005-2233-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-005-2233-8

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