Irradiance, temperature and rainfall influence leaf dark respiration in woody plants: evidence from comparisons across 20 sites.
Leaf dark respiration (R) is one of the most fundamental physiological processes in plants and is a major component of terrestrial CO2 input to the atmosphere. Still, it is unclear how predictably species vary in R along broad climate gradients. Data for R and other key leaf traits were compiled for 208 woody species from 20 sites around the world. We quantified relationships between R and site climate, and climate-related variation in relationships between R and other leaf traits. Species at higher-irradiance sites had higher mean R at a given leaf N concentration, specific leaf area (SLA), photosynthetic capacity (Amass) or leaf lifespan than species at lower-irradiance sites. Species at lower-rainfall sites had higher mean R at a given SLA or Amass than species at higher-rainfall sites. On average, estimated field rates of R were higher at warmer sites, while no trend with site temperature was seen when R was adjusted to a standard measurement temperature. Our findings should prove useful for modelling plant nutrient and carbon budgets, and for modelling vegetation shifts with climate change.
Wright
Ian J
IJ
Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia. iwright@rna.bio.mq.edu.au
Reich
Peter B
PB
Atkin
Owen K
OK
Lusk
Christopher H
CH
Tjoelker
Mark G
MG
Westoby
Mark
M
D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019069:Cell Respiration / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002980:Climate; D003624:Darkness; D017753:Ecosystem; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011891:Rain; D013472:Sunlight; D013696:Temperature
D002245:Carbon Dioxide