Specific Features of Photosynthetic Apparatus of Plants in Hight Mountain Deserts of the Pamirs under Ecological Stress

Abstract

Alpine plants are the interesting objects for investigation of adaptation mechanisms, because they are influenced on by the complex of unfavourable treatments as low temperature, high insolation, increased UV irradiation, and low partial CO₂ pressure. The possibility for habitation of plants in alpine conditions are connected with adaptation of basic physiological functions, and photosynthesis in particular to extreme environment. Obviously, plant adaptation to the extreme climatic conditions touches on the structure of assimilating organs that supply assimilation of carbon dioxide and transpiration, i.e. control carbon metabolism and water relations at the leaf level.