Responses of evergreen and deciduous Quercus species to enhanced ozone levels.
Plants of one evergreen oak (Quercus ilex) and three deciduous oaks (Q. faginea, with small leaves; Q. pyrenaica and Q. robur, with large leaves) were exposed both to filtered air and to enhanced ozone levels in Open-Top Chambers. Q. faginea and Q. pyrenaica were studied for the first time. Based on visible injury, gas exchange, chlorophyll content and biomass responses, Q. pyrenaica was the most sensitive species, and Q. ilex was the most tolerant, followed by Q. faginea. Functional leaf traits of the species were related to differences in sensitivity, while accumulated ozone flux via stomata (POD1.6) partly contributed to the observed differences. For risk assessment of Mediterranean vegetation, the diversity of responses detected in this study should be taken into account, applying appropriate critical levels.
Instituto Universitario CEAM-UMH, Charles R. Darwin 14, Parc Tecnològic, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: calatayud_viclor@gva.es.
Vicent
V
Calatayud
Instituto Universitario CEAM-UMH, Charles R. Darwin 14, Parc Tecnològic, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
Júlia
J
Cerveró
Instituto Universitario CEAM-UMH, Charles R. Darwin 14, Parc Tecnològic, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
Esperanza
E
Calvo
Laboratorio de Anatomía e Histología Vegetal "Julio Iranzo", Jardín Botánico, Universitat de València, c/Quart 80, 46008 Valencia, Spain; Departamento de Ecosistemas Agroforestales, Escuela Técnica Superior del Medio Rural y Enología, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
Francisco-José
FJ
García-Breijo
Departamento de Ecosistemas Agroforestales, Escuela Técnica Superior del Medio Rural y Enología, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
José
J
Reig-Armiñana
Instituto Universitario CEAM-UMH, Charles R. Darwin 14, Parc Tecnològic, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
María José
MJ
Sanz
D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D010126:Ozone / Q000633:toxicity*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects; D029963:Quercus / Q000187:drug effects*
D002734:Chlorophyll; D010126:Ozone