Leaf Level Physiology, Chemistry and Structural Traits, Far North Queensland SuperSite, Robson Creek, 2012

Brief description

Objectives: Set-up of AI curves, N, P and LMA values for
dominant species. Establish the extent to which rates of
respiration in the light change in response to associated traits
and to climatic moisture in Robson Creek. Experimental design
and methods: In August 2012, we surveyed AI curves and related
leaf traits (area:mass ratios, and concentrations of nitrogen
and phosphorus) in 14 tropical species growing at the Robson
Creek TERN site. Leaves were sampled from different trees
ranging from 1 to 4 replicates per species from 9 species and
1-2 replicates per species from 5 species. Light response curves
of leaf CO2 exchange were used to calculate rates of leaf
respiration in the light (using the ‘Kok’ method).Objectives: Set-up of ACi curves, N, P and LMA values
for dominant species. Establish the extent to which rates of
light saturated photosynthesis, Vcmax and Jmax change in
response to associated traits and to climatic moisture in Robson
Creek. Experimental design and methods: In August 2012, we
surveyed ACi curves and related leaf traits (area:mass ratios,
and concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus) in 13 tropical
species growing at the Robson Creek TERN site. Leaves were
sampled from different trees ranging from 1 to 4 replicates per
specie. Asat(light saturated photosynthesis), Amax (CO2
saturated photosynthesis), Ci (intercellular partial pressure of
CO2) and Rlight(CO2 evolution from mitochondria in the light,
other than that associated with the PCO cycle) were used to
calculate rates of Vcmax (maximum velocity of the carboxylase)
and Jmax (maximum rate of carboxylation allowed by the electron
transport). Vcmax and Jmax were corrected for temperature.