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Plant gas exchange at high wind speeds
1Aussenstelle fuer subalpine Waldforschung, Forstliche Bundesversuchsanstalt, Innsbruck, Austria.
Plant Physiology
|October 1, 1970
Summary
High altitude winds significantly impacted Rhododendron seedlings, reducing transpiration and photosynthesis. Pinus cembra showed less stomatal response but reduced photosynthesis due to altered needle display.
Area of Science:
- Plant physiology
- High-altitude botany
- Environmental stress response
Background:
- Alpine plants face harsh environmental conditions, including strong winds.
- Understanding plant responses to wind stress is crucial for predicting survival and distribution in high-altitude ecosystems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological responses of Rhododendron ferrugineum and Pinus cembra seedlings to high-speed winds.
- To compare the wind tolerance mechanisms of a broadleaf evergreen and a conifer species.
Main Methods:
- Seedlings of Rhododendron ferrugineum and Pinus cembra were subjected to controlled wind speeds of 15 m/s for 24 hours.
- Measurements included stomatal aperture, photosynthesis rates, and transpiration rates.
- Needle display and its effect on irradiation were also considered for Pinus cembra.
Main Results:
- Rhododendron ferrugineum exhibited rapid stomatal closure, leading to decreased photosynthesis and transpiration.
- Pinus cembra showed only minor reductions in stomatal aperture and transpiration.
- Photosynthesis in Pinus cembra was significantly reduced due to altered needle orientation affecting light capture.
Conclusions:
- Rhododendron ferrugineum relies on stomatal regulation to cope with wind, impacting gas exchange.
- Pinus cembra demonstrates a different strategy, with reduced photosynthetic efficiency under wind due to changes in light interception rather than stomatal closure.
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