Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Factors influencing carbon fixation and water use by mediterranean sclerophyll shrubs during summer drought

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Oecologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Mediterranean sclerophyll shrubs respond to seasonal drought by adjusting the amount of leaf area exposed and by reducing gas exchange via stomatal closure mechanisms. The degree to which each of these modifications can influence plant carbon and water balances under typical mediterranean-type climate conditions is examined. Leaf area changes are assessed in the context of a canopy structure and light microclimate model. Shifts in physiological response are examined with a mechanistically-based model of C3 leaf gas exchange that simulates progressive reduction of maximum photosynthesis and transpiration rates and increasingly strong midday stomatal closure over the course of drought. The results demonstrate that midday stomatal closure may effectively contribute to drought avoidance, increase water use efficiency, and strongly alter physiological efficiency in the conversion of intercepted light energy to photoproducts. Physiological adjustments lead to larger reductions in water use than occur when comparing leaf area index 3.5 to 1.5, extremes found for natural stands of sclerophyll shrubs in the California chaparral. Reductions in leaf area have the strongest effect on resource capture and use during non-water-stressed periods and the least effect under extreme drought conditions, while shifts in physiological response lead to large savings of water and efficient water use under extreme stress. An important model parameter termed GFAC (proportionality factor expressing the relation of conductance [g] to net photosynthesis rate) is utilized, which changes in response to the integrated water stress experimence of shrubs and alters the degree to which stomata may open for a given rate of carbon fixation. We attempt to interpret this parameter in terms of physiological mechanisms known to modify control of leaf gas exchange during drought. The analysis helps visualize means by which canopy gas exchange behavior may be coupled to physiological changes occurring in the root environment during soil drying.

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

  • Ball JT, Woodrow IE, Berry JA (1987) A model predicting stomatal conductance and its contribution to the control of photosynthesis under different environmental conditions. In: Biggins I (ed) Progress in Photosynthesis Research, Vol IV.5, Proceedings of the VII International Photosynthesis Congress, pp 221–224

  • Bates LM, Hall AE (1982) Relationships between leaf water status and transpiration of cowpea with progressive soil drying. Oecologia 53:285–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyschlag W, Lange OL, Tenhunen JD (1986) Photosynthese und Wasserhaushalt von Arbutus unedo L. im Jahreslauf am Freilandstandort in Portugal. I. Tagesläufe von Photosynthese und Transpiration unter natürlichen Bedingungen. Flora 178:409–444

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell MM, Meister HP, Tenhunen JD, Lange OL (1986) Canopy structure, light microclimate and leaf gas exchange of Quercus coccifera L. in a Portuguese macchia: Measurements in different canopy layers and simulations with a canopy model. Trees 1:25–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Charles-Edwards DA (1982) Physiological Determinants of Crop Growth. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowan IR (1982a) Regulation of water use in relation to carbon gain in higher plants. In: Lange OL, Nobel PS, Osmond CB, Ziegler H (eds),Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology, Vol 12B, Physiological Plant Ecology II, Water Relations and Carbon Assimilation. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 589–613

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowan IR, Farquhar GD (1977) Stomatal behaviour and environment. Adv Bot Res 4:117–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowan IR, Raven JA, Hartung W, Farquhar GD (1982) A possible role for abscisic acid in coupling stomatal conductance and photosynthetic carbon metabolism in leaves. Aust J Plant Physiol 9:489–498

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies WJ, Blackman PG, Lodge TR, Rosa da Costa A, Metcalfe J (1987a) Root to shoot communication of the effects of soil drying, flooding or increased salinity. A case for the involvement of plant growth regulators in a multiple chemical signal. In: Tenhunen JD, Catarino FM, Lange OL, Oechel WC (eds) Plant Response to Stress — Functional Analysis in Mediterranean Ecosystems. NATO Advanced Science Institute Series, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 201–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies WJ, Metcalfe JC, Schurr U, Taylor G, Zhang J (1987b) Hormones as chemical signals involved in root to shoot communication of effects of changes in the soil environment. In: Hoad GV, Lenton JR, Jackson MB, Atkin R (eds) Hormone Action in Plant Development — A Critical Appraisal. Butterworths, London, pp 201–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Eckardt FE, Heim G, Methy M, Sauvezon R (1975) Interception de l'énergie rayonnante, échanges gazeux et croissance dans une forét méditerranéenne à feulliage persistant (Quercetum ilicis). Photosynthetica 9:145–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Farquhar GD, Caemmerer S von (1982) Modelling of photosynthetic response to environment. In: Lange OL, Nobel PS, Osmond CB, Ziegler H (eds) Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology, Vol 12 B, Physiological Plant Ecology II, Water Relations and Carbon Assimilation. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 549–587

    Google Scholar 

  • Farquhar GD, Caemmerer S von, Berry JA (1980) A biochemical model of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation in leaves of C3 species. Planta 149:78–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Gholz HL (1982) Environmental limits on aboveground net primary production, leaf area, and biomass in vegetation zones of the Pacific northwest. Ecol 63:469–481

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill DS, Mahall BE (1986) Quantitative phenology and water relations of an evergreen and a deciduous chaparral shrub. Ecol Monogr 56:127–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Gollan T (1987) Wechselbezichungen zwischen Abscisinsäure, Nährstoffhaushalt und pH im Xylemsaft und ihre Bedeutung für die stomatäre Regulation bei Bodenaustrocknung. PhD Thesis, Universität Bayreuth, Federal Republic of Germany

  • Grier CC, Running SW (1977) Leaf area of mature northwestern coniferous forests: Relation to site water balance. Ecol 58:893–899

    Google Scholar 

  • Harley PC, Tenhunen JD (1989) Modeling the photosynthetic response of C3 leaves to environmental factors. In: Boote KJ (ed) Modeling Crop Photosynthesis — from Biochemistry to Canopy, Proceedings of American Society of Agronomy Symposium, (in press)

  • Harley PC, Tenhunen JD, Lange OL (1986) Use of an analytical model to study limitations to net photosynthesis in Arbutus unedo under field conditions. Oecologia 70:393–401

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartung W, Radin JW, Hendrix DL (1988) Abscisic acid movement into the apoplastic solution of water-stressed cotton leaves. Role of apoplastic pH. Plant Physiol 86:908–913

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson MB, Stoner WA, Richards SP (1981) Models of plant and soil processes. In: Miller PC (ed) Resource Use by Chaparral and Mattoral. A Comparison of Vegetation Function in Two Mediterranean Type Ecosystems. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 287–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis PG (1976) The interpretation of the variations in leaf water potential and stomatal conductance found in canopies in the field. Phil Trans R Soc London Ser B 273:593–610

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis PG, Leverenz JW (1983) Productivity of temperate, deciduous, and evergreen forests. In: Lange OL, Nobel PS, Osmond CB, Ziegler H (eds) Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology, Vol 12D, Physiological Plant Ecology IV, Ecosystem Processes: Mineral Cycling, Productivity and Man's Influence. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 233–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson F, Eyring H, Williams R (1942) The nature of enzyme inhibitions in bacterial luminescence: Sulfanilamide, urethane, temperature, and pressure. J Cell Comp Physiol 20:247–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones HG (1983) Plants and Microclimate. Cambridge Univ Press, Cambridge, pp 323

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser W (1987) Effects of water deficit on photosynthetic capacity. Physiol Plant 71:142–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufmann MR, Ryan MG (1986) Physiographic, stand and environmental effects on individual tree growth and growth efficiency in subalpine forests. Tree Physiol 2:47–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Kramer PJ (1988) Changing concepts regarding plant water relations. Plant, Cell and Environment 11:565–568

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause D, Kummerow J (1977) Xeromorphic structure and soil moisture in the chaparral. Oecol Plant 12:133–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Kummerow J, Montenegro G, Krause D (1981) Biomass, phenology, and growth. In: Miller PC (ed) Resource Use by Chaparral and Mattoral. A Comparison of Vegetation Function in Two Mediterranean Type Ecosystems. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 69–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Lange OL, Harley PC, Beyschlag W, Tenhunen JD (1987) Gas exchange methods for characterizing the impact of stress on leaves. In: Tenhunen JD, Catarino FM, Lange OL, Oechel WC (eds) Plant Response to Stress — Functional Analysis in Mediterranean Ecosystems. NATO Advanced Science Institute Series, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 3–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence W (1987) Gas exchange characteristics of representative species from the scrub vegetation of central Chile. In: Tenhunen JD, Catarino FM, Lange OL, Oechel WC (eds) Plant Response to Stress — Functional Analysis in Mediterranean Ecosystems. NATO Advanced Science Institute Series, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 279–304

    Google Scholar 

  • Linder S (1985) Potential and actual production in Australian forest stands. In: Landsberg JJ, Parsons W (eds) Research for Forest Management, CSIRO, Melbourne, Australia, pp 11–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller PC (1981) Similarities and limitations of resource utilization in mediterranean type ecosystems. In: Miller PC (ed) Resource Use by Chaparral and Mattoral. A Comparison of Vegetation Function in Two Mediterranean Type Ecosystems. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 369–407

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller PC, Hajek E (1981) Resource availability and environmental characteristics of mediterranean type ecosystems. In: Miller PC (ed) Resource Use by Chaparral and Mattoral. A Comparison of Vegetation Function in Two Mediterranean Type Ecosystems. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 17–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller PC, Poole DK, Miller PM (1983) The influence of annual precipitation, topography, and vegetative cover on soil moisture and summer drought in Southern California. Oecologia 56:385–391

    Google Scholar 

  • Monteith JL (1977) Climate and efficiency of crop production in Britain. Phil Trans Royal Soc London Ser B 281:277–294

    Google Scholar 

  • Nobel PS (1983) Biophysical Plant Physiology and Ecology. WH Freeman and Co, San Fracisco, p 608

    Google Scholar 

  • Oechel WC, Lawrence W, Mustafa J, Martínez J (1981) Energy and carbon acquisition. In: Miller PC (ed) Resource Use by Chaparral and Mattoral. A Comparison of Vegetation Function in Two Mediterranean Type Ecosystems. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 151–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Parton WJ, Logan JA (1981) A model for diurnal variation in soil and air temperature. Agric Met 23:205–216

    Google Scholar 

  • Passioura JB (1988) Response to Dr PJ Kramer's article ‘Changing concepts regarding plant water relations’, Volume 11, Number 7, pp 565–568. Plant Cell Environm 11:569–571

    Google Scholar 

  • Poole DK, Miller DC (1981) The distribution of plant water-stress and vegetation characteristics in southern California chaparral. Am Midl Nat 105:32–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds JF, Dougherty RL, Tenhunen JD, Harley PC (1988) PRECO: Plant Response to Elevated CO2 Simulation Model. Parts I–III. Report # 042, Response of Vegetation to Carbon Dioxide Series, Carbon Dioxide Research Division, US Department of Energy, Washington, DC, p 102

    Google Scholar 

  • Running S (1984) Microclimate control of forest productivity: Analysis of computer simulation of annual photosynthesis/transpiration balance in different environments. Agric For Met 32:2–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulze E-D (1986) Carbon dioxide and water vapor exchange in response to drought in the atmosphere and in the soil. Ann Rev Pl Phys 37:247–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulze E-D, Hall AE (1982) Stomatal responses, water loss and CO2 assimilation rates of plants in contrasting environments. In: Lange OL, Nobel PS, Osmond CB, Ziegler H (eds) Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology, Vol 12B. Physiological Plant Ecology II, Water Relations and Carbon Assimilation. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 181–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulze E-D, Hall AE, Lange OL, Evenari M, Kappen L, Buschbom U (1980) Long-term effects of drought on wild and cultivated plants in the Negev desert. I. Maximal rates of net photosynthesis. Oecologia 45:11–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulze E-D, Steudle E, Gollan T, Schurr U (1988) Response to Dr PJ Kramer's article, ‘Changing concepts regarding plant water relations’, Volume 11, Number 7, pp 565–568. Plant Cell Environm 11:573–576

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith E (1937) The influence of light and carbon dioxide on photosynthesis. Gen Physiol 20:807–830

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen JD, Weber JA, Yocum CS, Gates DM (1976) Development of a photosynthesis model with an emphasis on ecological applications. II. Analysis of a data set describing the P m surface. Oecologia 26:101–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen JD, Lange OL, Gebel J, Beyschlag W, Weber JA (1984) Changes in photosynthetic capacity, carboxylation efficiency, and CO2 compensation point associated with midday stomatal closure and midday depression of net CO2 exchange of leaves of Quercus suber. Planta 162:193–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen JD, Lange OL, Harley PC, Beyschlag W, Meyer A (1985) Stomatal limitations during water stress and during midday stomatal closure on leaf net photosynthesis of Quercus coccifera growing in the Portuguese evergreen scrub. Oecologia 67:23–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen JD, Beyschlag W, Lange OL, Harley PC (1987a) Changes during summer drought in leaf CO2 uptake rates of macchia shrubs growing in Portugal: Limitations due to photosynthetic capacity, carboxylation efficiency, and stomatal conductance. In: Tenhunen JD, Catarino FM, Lange OL, Oechel WC (eds) Plant Response to Stress — Functional Analysis in Mediterranean Ecosystems. NATO Advanced Science Institute Series, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York Tokyo, pp 305–327

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen JD, Harley PC, Beyschlag W, Lange OL (1987b) A model of net photosynthesis for leaves of the sclerophyll Quercus coccifera. In: Tenhunen JD, Catarino F, Lange OL, Oechel WC (eds) Plant Response to Stress — Functional Analysis in Mediterranean Ecosystems. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 339–354

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen JD, Pearcy RW, Lange OL (1987c) Diurnal variation in leaf conductance and gas exchange in natural environments. In: Zeiger E, Farquhar G, Cowan I (eds) Stomatal Function. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California, pp 323–351

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen JD, Reynolds JF, Rambal S, Dougherty R, Kummerow J (1989) QUINTA: A physiologically-based growth simulator for drought adapted woody plant species. In: Pereira JS, Landsberg J (eds) Biomass Production by Fast-Growing Trees, NATO ASI Series, Applied Science Vol. 166, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp 135–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong SC, Cowan IR, Farquhar GD (1979) Stomatal conductance correlates with photosynthetic capacity. Nature 282:424–426

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Schurr U, Davies WJ (1987) Control of stomatal behaviour by abscisic acid which apparently originates in the roots. J Exp Bot 38:1174–1181

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Systems Ecology Research Group, San Diego State University, 92182, San Diego, CA, USA

    J. D. Tenhunen, P. C. Harley, R. L. Dougherty & J. F. Reynolds

  2. Dept. d'Ecologia, Fac. Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    A. Sala Serra

Authors
  1. J. D. Tenhunen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Sala Serra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. C. Harley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. L. Dougherty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. F. Reynolds
    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

Tenhunen, J.D., Serra, A.S., Harley, P.C. et al. Factors influencing carbon fixation and water use by mediterranean sclerophyll shrubs during summer drought. Oecologia 82, 381–393 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00317487

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00317487

Key words

Search

Navigation