Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Some ecophysiological features in sun and shade leaves of tall beech trees

  • Published:
Biologia Plantarum

Abstract

Some ecophysiological features in sun and shade leaves of tall European beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) growing in a natural forest stand were investigated. Quantitative leaf characteristics were followed in the field and under controlled conditions.

In the sun leaves significantly higher rates of photosynthesis, photorespiration and dark respiration, and also photosynthetic CO2 fixation capacity, photosynthetic productivity, and saturating, adaptation and compensating irradiances were found. Specific leaf mass, mean leaf area, stomata density and size as well as the chlorophyll content per unit dry mass were also significantly different in both types of the leaves. Higher photosynthetic efficiency in the shade leaves allows them a better utilization of the lower irradiance for carbon dioxide uptake. The importance of these findings for annual carbon gain of the shade tolerant European beech species is also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aussenac, G.,Ducrey, M.: Etude bioclimatique d’une futaie feuillue(Fagus silvatica L. etQuercus sessitiflora Šalisb.) de l’Est de la France. I. Analyse des profils microclimatiques et des caracteristiques anatomiques et morphologiques de lappareil filiaire. - Ann. Sci. forest.34: 265–284, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aylett, G. P.: Irradiance interception, leaf conductance and photosynthesis in Jamaican upper montane rain forest trees. -Photosynthetica19: 323–337, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ball, M. C.,Critchley, Ch.: Photosynthetic responses to irradiance by the grey mangrove,Avicena marina, grown under different light regimes. - Plant Physiol.70: 1101–1109, 1982.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barden, J. A.,Love, J. M.,Porpiglia, P. J.,Marini, R. P.,Caldwell, J. D.: Net photosynthesis and dark respiration of apple leaves are not affected by shoot detachment. - HortScience15: 595–597, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, V.: Estimation of production in a wetland willow stand on the basis of CO2 exchange measurements. - Ekológia (CSSR)7: 345–361, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, H., Martha, P.: The CO2 compensation point of plants - A re-examination. I. Interspecific variability.- Z. Pflanzenphysiol.103: 445–450, 1981.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Björkman, O.: Ecological adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus. - In:Akoyunoglou, G. (ed.): Photosynthesis VI. Photosynthesis and Productivity, Photosynthesis and Environment. Pp. 191–202. Balaban International Sciences Service, Philadelphia 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chernykh, R. V., Rotaru, G. I.: [Features of leaf structure in different oak species]. In Russ. - Izv. Akad. Nauk Mold. SSR, Ser. biol. khim. Nauk5: 10–17, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dean, T. J.,Pallardy, S. G.,Cox, G. S.: Photosynthetic responses of black walnut(Juglans nigra) to shading. - Can. J. Forest Res.12: 725–730, 1982.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eliáš, P.: Leaf diffusion resistance pattern in an oak-hornbeam forest. - Biol. Plant.21: 1–8, 1979.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eliáš, P.: [Maximum stomata conductance in plants of an oak-hornbeam forest]. In Slovak. - In: Hradilík, J. (ed.) Dny Rostlinné Fyziologie II. Pp. 158–161, Brno 1980.

  • Gratani, L.,Fiorentino, E.,Camiz, S.,Fida, C.: Relationships among chlorophyll contents and some ecophysiological parameters with relation to their distribution within the beech crown. - Photosynthetica21: 333–340, 1987.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gutschick, V. P.,Wiegel, F. W.: Optimizing the canopy photosynthetic rate by patterns of investment in specific leaf mass. - Amer. Naturalist132: 67–86,1988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larcher, W.: Fyziologická Ekologie Rostlin. [Physiological Plant Ecology]. - Academia, Praha 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leverenz, J.: Chlorophyll content and the light response curve of shade-adapted conifer needles. - Physiol. Plant.71: 20–29, 1987.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenthaler, H. K.: Adaptation of leaves and chloroplasts to high quanta fluence rates. - In:Akoyunoglou, G. (ed.): Photosynthesis VI. Photosynthesis and Productivity, Photosynthesis and Environment. Pp. 273–287. Balaban International Science Service, Philadelphia 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenthaler, H. K.: Differences in chlorophyll levels, fluorescence and photosynthetic activity of leaves from high-light and low-light seedlings. - In:Metzner, H.: (ed.): Photosynthesis and Plant Productivity. Pp. 194–198. Wissenschaft. Verlagsgesellschaft, Stuttgart 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenthaler, H. K.,Buschmann, G.,Döll, M.,Fietz, H. J.,Bach, T.,Kozel, U.,Meier, D.,Rahmsdorf, U.: Photosynthetic activity, chloroplast ultrastructure, and leaf characteristics of high-light and low-light plants and of sun and shade leaves. - Photosynth. Res.2: 115–141, 1981.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenthaler, H. K.,Kuhn, G.,Prenzel, U.,Buschmann, C.,Meier, D.: Adaptation of chloroplast- ultrastructure and of chlorophyll-protein levels to high-light and low-light growth conditions. - Z. Naturforsch.37: 464–475,1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marek, M.,Masarovičová, E.,Kratochvílová, I.,Eliáš, P.,Janouš, D.: Stand microclimate and physiological activity of tree leaves in an oak-hornbeam forest. II. Leaf photosynthetic activity. - Trees4: 234–240, 1989.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masarovičová, E.: Relationships between the CO2 compensation concentration, the slope of CO2 curves of net photosynthetic rate and the energy of irradiance. - Biol. Plant.21: 434–439, 1979.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masarovičová, E.: Seasonal curve of CO2 compensation concentration of European beech seedlings. - Biologia (Bratislava)38: 419–426, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masarovičová, E.: Gasometrical investigation into CO2 exchange of theFagus sylvatica L. species under controlled conditions. - VEDA, Bratislava 1984.

  • Masarovičová, E.: Comparative study of growth and carbon uptake in Fagussylvatica L. trees growing under different light conditions. - Biol. Plant.30: 285–293, 1988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masarovičová, E.,Eliáš, P.: Seasonal changes in the photosynthetic response of Mercurialisperennis plants from different light regime conditions. - Biol. Plant.27: 41–50, 1985.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masarovičová, E.,Eliáš, P.: Photosynthetic rate and water relations in some forest herbs in spring and summer. - Photosynthetica20: 187–195. 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masarovičová, E.,Minarčic, P.: Quantitative and qualitative analysis of theFagus sylvatica L. leaves. I. Anatomical characteristics and photosynthetic activity. - Biológia (Bratislava)34: 513–521, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masarovičová , E.,Minarčic, P.: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of theFagus sylvatica L. leaves. II. Ultrastructural characteristics and photorespiratory activity. - Biológia (Bratislava)35: 235–242, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masarovičová, E.,Minarčic, P.: Photosynthetic response and adaptation of Fagus sylvatica L. trees to light conditions. I. Growth of leaves, shoots and trees. - Biológia (Bratislava)39: 867–876, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masarovičová, E.,Minarčic, P.: Photosynthetic response and adaptation of Fagus sylvatica L. trees to light conditions. II. Leaf chlorophyll contents, leaf dry mass, specific leaf area and mass, stomatal density. - Biológia (Bratislava)40: 473–481, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meidner, H.,Mansfield, T. A.: Physiology of Stomata. - McGraw Hill, London 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nátr, L.: Quantitative anatomy of plants. - Acta Univ. carol., Biol.31: 5–13, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nobel, P. S.,Hartsock, T. L.: Development of leaf thickness forPlectranthus parviflorus - Influence of photosynthetically active radiation. - Physiol. Plant.51: 163–166, 1981.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nobel, P. S.,Longstreth, J.: Effects of environmental factors on leaf anatomy, mesophyll cell conductance, and photosynthesis. - In:Akoyunoglou, G. (ed.): Photosynthesis VI. Photosynthesis and Productivity. Photosynthesis and Environment. Pp. 245–254. Balaban International Science Service, Philadelphia 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nygren, M.,Kellomäki, S.: Effect of shading on leaf structure and photosynthesis in young birches,Betula pendula Roth. andBetula pubescens Ehrh. - Forest Ecol. Manage.7: 119–132, 1983.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oren, R.,Schulze, E.-D.,Matyssek, R.,Zimmermann, R.: Estimating photosynthetic rate and annual carbon gain in conifers from specific leaf weight and leaf biomass. - Oecologia70: 187–193, 1986.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Overdieck, D.: CO2-Gaswechsel und Transpiration von Sonnen- und Schattenblättern bei unterschiedlichen Strahlungsqualität. - Ber. deut, bot. Ges.91: 633–644,1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pazourková, Z.: Botanická Mikrotechnika. [Microtechnique in Botany]. - Charles University, Praha 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roy, J.,Thiébaut, B.,Watson, M. A.: Physiological and anatomical consequences of morphogenetic Polymorphism: Leaf response to light intensity in young beech trees (Fagussylvatica L.). - Naturalia monsp. (Coll. Int. Arbre): 431–449, 1986.

  • Tichá, I.: Photosynthetic characteristics during ontogenesis of leaves. 7. Stomata density and sizes. -Photosynthetica16; 375–471, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, N. C.: Differences in response of adaxial and abaxial stomata to environmental variable. - In:Sen, D. N.,Chawan, D. D.,Bansal, R. P. (ed.): Structure, Function and Ecology of Stomata. Pp. 229–250. Bishen Singh, Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vapaavuori, E.,Hari, P.,Kaitala, V.,Smolander, H.: Interaction of temperature and water stress in relation to the rate of photosynthesis inSalix sp. - In:Akoyunoglou, G. (ed.): Photosynthesis VI. Photosynthesis and Productivity, Photosynthesis and Environment. Pp. 135–144. Balaban International Science Service, Philadelphia 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vernon, L. P.: Spectrophotometric determination of chlorophylls and pheophytins in plant extract. - Anal. Chem.32: 1144–1150, 1414, 1960.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, L. L.,Dunn, E. L.: Comparative photosynthesis of three gap phase successional tree species. -Oecologia45: 331–340, 1980.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webb, R. A.: Use of the boundary line in the analysis of biological data. - J. hort. Sci.47: 309–319, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, D. R.,Smith, W. K.: Influence of sunlight on photosynthesis, water relations, and leaf structure in the understory speciesArnica cordifolia. - Ecology61: 1380–1390, 1980.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Experimental Biology, Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 14, 814 34, Bratislava, Czechoslovakia

    Elena Masarovicová

  2. Research Institute for Forest Management, Marxova 2175, 960 92, Zvolen, Czechoslovakia

    L. štefančík

Authors
  1. Elena Masarovicová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. L. štefančík
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Masarovicová, E., štefančík, L. Some ecophysiological features in sun and shade leaves of tall beech trees. Biol Plant 32, 374–387 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02898503

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02898503

Keywords

Search

Navigation