title: Photosynthetic pathways and the ecological distribution of the chenopodiaceae in Isreal.
abstract: Fifty-four species of the Chenopodiaceae in Israel were examined for their anatomical features, δ13C values, habitat and phytogeographical distribution. 17 species have δ13C values between -20‰ and -30‰and non-Kranz anatomy (NK) and are therefore considered as C3plants. 37 species have δ13C values between -10‰ and -18‰ and Kranz or C4-Suaeda type anatomy and are therefore considered as C4plants. Some C4plants have leaf structure which seems to be intermediate between the Kranz and the C4-Suaeda type of leaf anatomy.The segregation of the species into photosynthetic groups shows tribal and phytogeographical grouping. Most of the C3Chenopods are either mesoruderal plants or coastal halophytes, with a distribution area which covers the Euro-Siberian as well as the Mediterranean phytogeographical regions. The C4Chenopods are mainly desert or steppe xerohalophytes with a distribution area which includes the Saharo-Arabian and/or Irano-Turanian phytogeographical regions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, The Dr. George, S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Advia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shomer-Ilan
authors.affiliation: Geoscience Group, Isotope Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
authors.forename: Arie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nissenbaum
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, The Dr. George, S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Yoav
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Waisel