Canopy photosynthetic production in a Japanese larch stand. I. Seasonal and vertical changes of leaf characteristics along the light gradient in a canopy

Abstract

In an 18 year old Japanese larch stand, leaf characteristics such as area, weight, gross photosynthetic rate and respiration rate were studied in order to obtain basic information on estimating canopy photosynthesis and respiration. The leaf growth courses in area and weight from bud opening were approximated by simple logistic curves. The growth coefficient for the area growth curve was 0.155-0.175 day -1, while that for the weight growth was 0.112-0.117 day -1. The larger growth coefficient in area growth caused the seasonal change in specific leaf area (SLA) that increased after bud opening to its peak early in May at almost 300 cm 2 g-1 and then decreaseduntil it leveled off at about

Canopy photosynthesis, canopy respiration and surplus production in a subtropical mangrove Kandelia candel forest, Okinawa Island, Japan

“…The same trend expressed by Eq. (12) was reported for a Chamaecyparis obtusa plantation (Hagihara & Hozumi 1991), a Larix leptolepis plantation (Kurachi et al 1992), and a Cryptomeria japonica plantation (Katsuno-Miyaura et al 1995). The r value for top leaves was 2 to 7 times that of bottom leaves throughout the year.…”

“…3 shows a sharp decrease of half saturation constant I k and slight increase of quantum yield φ with decreasing relative PPFD I R , respectively, according to Eqs. (8) (9) were reported for a warm-temperate evergreen oak forest (Hozumi et al 1972, Nishioka et al 1978), a Chamaecyparis obtusa plantation (Hagihara & Hozumi 1977a), and a Larix leptolepis plantation (Kurachi et al 1992). The value of PPFD transmissivity of leaves m was 8.05 × 10 -3 (Table 1), which was quite low compared to the value of 0.022 reported by Hozumi et al (1972) in the warm-temperate evergreen oak forest.…”

“…However, these studies did not consider seasonal variations in the physiological traits of leaves when calculating the annual canopy photosynthesis. Many reports have confirmed seasonal changes in photosynthesis and dark respiration rates of leaves for terrestrial forests (Hozumi et al 1972, Hagihara & Hozumi 1977a,b, Nishioka et al 1978, Kurachi et al 1992, Katsuno-Miyaura et al 1995. Therefore, seasonal changes in photosynthesis and dark respiration rates of leaves are probably necessary for obtaining reliable estimates of annual canopy photosynthesis and respiration in mangrove forests.…”

Seasonal changes in the relationship between photochemical reflectance index and photosynthetic light use efficiency of Japanese larch needles

“…Needle N concentration was positively correlated with needle concentrations of chlorophylls (p,0.01), carotenoids (p,0.05), xanthophylls (p,0.05) and carotenoid/ chlorophyll ratio (p,0.001). These phenological changes in SLA and pigment concentrations seem to be ordinal patterns, which are usually observed in the needles of larch species (Kurachi et al 1992, Tadaki et al 1994, Rosenthal and Camm 1997.…”

Interactions between forest stands and microclimate: Ecophysiological aspects and consequences for silviculture

“…In general, can also be observed changes, in the anatomy and size of leaves at the base of the crown, which are thinner and larger than at the top (Abies alba, Abies nordmanniana, Picea abies, Pseudotsuga menziesiis [4], Fagus sylvatica, Quercus petraea [8], Larix leptolepis [60], Abies amabilis [97,106]. Other characteristics, such as the degree of succulence (relationship between water saturation level and fresh foliar area) show significant variations in relation to light.…”