Photosynthetic characteristics of canopy-dwelling vines in lower subtropical evergreen broad- leaved forest and response to environmental factors

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1258.2011.00567

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Vines are important floristic and ecological elements in forests of tropical and subtropical areas; however, few studies have provided information on the photosynthetic characteristics of vines. Our purpose is to characterize the photosynthetic traits of major canopy-dwelling vines in the lower subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in southern China.

Methods We compared the photosynthetic characteristics of two upper-canopy vines (Dischidia chinensis and Psychotria serpens) and two lower-canopy vines (Fissistigma glaucescens and Piper hancei) in Dinghushan Nature Reserve. We measured maximum photosynthetic rate (A_max), light saturation point (Lsp), light compensation point (Lcp), respiration in light (R_day), convexity (K), apparent quantum yield (Φ), transpiration rate (T_r) and water utilization efficiency (WUE) using a LI-6400 system. We also determined environmental factors inside and outside the canopy.

Important findings Differences of photosynthetic characteristics between the upper and lower canopy-dwelling vines can be largely explained by differences in environmental factors such as photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), temperature and humidity within the forest canopy. Vines located in the upper canopy have lower annual mean A_max and LSP compared with those located in the lower canopy. A_maxvalues of the upper canopy vines D. chinensis and Psychotria serpens are (2.9 ± 0.6) and (6.3 ± 1.3) μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1, respectively, and their LSP values are (168.5 ± 83.4) and (231.4 ± 147.8) μmol·m^-2·s^-1, respectively. The A_max values of F. glaucescens and Piper hancei are (8.9 ± 2.9) and (8.6 ± 2.3) μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1, respectively, and the LSP values are (491.6 ± 230.8) and (402.3 ± 112.8) μmol·m^-2·s^-1, respectively. The lower canopy vines have lower LCP compared with the upper canopy vines. The LCP values are (5.6 ± 1.9) and (5.4 ± 1.7) μmol·m^-2·s^-1for F. glaucescens and Piper hancei, respectively and (16.1 ± 5.9) and (10.1 ± 5.7) μmol·m^-2·s^-1for D. chinensis and Psychotria serpens, respectively. WUE values showed the same pattern, with values of (6.7 ± 1.8) and (6.8 ± 1.3) μmol CO₂·mmol·H₂O for F. glaucescens and Piper hancei, respectively, and (11.5 ± 3.9) and (8.7 ± 1.6) μmol CO₂·mmol^-1 H₂O for D. chinensis and Psychotria serpens, respectively.

Key words: Dinghushan Nature Reserve, evergreen broad-leaved forest, forest canopy, photosynthetic characteristics, vines

JIANG Hao, ZHOU Guo-Yi, HUANG Yu-Hui, LIU Shi-Zhong, TANG Xu-Li. Photosynthetic characteristics of canopy-dwelling vines in lower subtropical evergreen broad- leaved forest and response to environmental factors[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2011, 35(5): 567-576.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.3724/SP.J.1258.2011.00567

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Figures/Tables 5

Table 1 Distribution and relative dominance of four epiphytic vines in the canopy of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Dinghushan

种名 Species	生活型 Life form	群落中垂直方向分布 Vertical distribution in community	相对优势度 Relative dominance
瓜子金 Dischidia chinensis	附生藤本 Epiphytic vines	冠层顶部 Upper canopy	7.46%
蔓九节 Psychotria serpens	附生藤本 Epiphytic vines	冠层中上部 Upper canopy	7.80%
白背瓜馥木 Fissistigma glaucescens	攀援藤本 Climbing vines	冠层中下部 Lower canopy	4.97%
山蒌 Piper hancei	攀援藤本 Climbing vines	冠层中下部 Lower canopy	8.31%

Fig. 1 Monthly mean air temperature (T) (A), relative humidity (RH) (B) and total photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (C) inside and outside of canopy in the lower subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Dinghushan (mean ± SD).

Fig. 2 Light-response curves of four vines in the lower subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Dinghushan (mean ± SD, n = 12). A. Lower-canopy vines. B. Upper canopy vines. a, Piper hancei; b, Fissistigma glaucescens; c, Psychotria serpens; d, Dischidia chinensis. Pn, net photosynthetic rate. Q, light intensity.

Table 2 Characteristic parameters of light-response curves of four vines in the lower subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Dinghushan (mean ± SD, n = 12)

种名 Species	最大净光合速率 A_max(μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1)	表观量子速率 Φ	曲角 K	光下呼吸速率 R_day (μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1)	光补偿点 Lcp (μmol·m^-2·s^-1)	光饱和点 Lsp (μmol·m^-2·s^-1)
瓜子金 Dischidia chinensis	2.9 ± 0.6^a	0.067 ± 0.024^a	0.865 ± 0.103^a	0.83 ± 0.38^a	16.1 ± 5.9^a	168.5 ± 83.4^a
蔓九节 Psychotria serpens	6.3 ± 1.7^a	0.099 ± 0.026^a	0.835 ± 0.053^a	1.00 ± 0.72^a	10.7 ± 5.7^a	231.4 ± 147.8^a
白背瓜馥木 Fissistigma glaucescens	8.9 ± 2.9^b	0.116 ± 0.009^a	0.691 ± 0.085^a	0.65 ± 0.24^a	5.6 ± 1.9^b	491.6 ± 230.8^b
山蒌 Piper hancei	8.6 ± 2.3^b	0.106 ± 0.020^a	0.749 ± 0.088^a	0.46 ± 0.04^a	5.4 ± 1.7^b	402.3 ± 112.8^b

Fig. 3 Transportation rate (Tr) (I) and water use efficiency (WUE) (II) of the four vines in the lower subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Dinghushan (mean ± SD, n = 12). A, Piper hancei; B, Fissistigma glaucescens; C, Psychotria serpens; D, Dischidia chinensis. Different small letters within columns indicate significant differences among different species at p < 0.05 level.

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