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Temperature and water relation patterns in subalpine understory plants.

¹Department of Botany, University of Wyoming, 82071, Laramie, Wyoming, USA.

|March 18, 2017

Summary

Subalpine understory plants in Wyoming exhibit varied responses to sunlight, with some species wilting while shrubs maintain lower water potentials, indicating adaptive strategies to temperature and water availability.

Area of Science:

Plant Ecology
Physiological Ecology
Subalpine Flora

Background:

Subalpine understory species face fluctuating environmental conditions.
Understanding plant adaptations to sun and shade is crucial for ecosystem dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare daily temperature and water relations of 7 perennial subalpine understory species.
To investigate the effects of natural sun and shade exposure on these species.
To evaluate potential adaptive patterns in response to water and photosynthetic stress.

Main Methods:

Field measurements of rainfall, leaf, air, and soil temperatures.
Assessed stomatal conductance to water vapor diffusion and plant/soil water potentials.
Included leaf and root morphological measurements.

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Main Results:

Sunlit herbaceous plants experienced severe wilting (xylem water potential < -2.0 MPa) with increased leaf temperatures and conductance.
Shrubby species showed higher leaf temperatures (>30°C) and consistently lower xylem water potentials without wilting.
Stomatal conductance was greater on abaxial leaf surfaces, with closure occurring when either side faced direct sun.

Conclusions:

Midday wilting in herbaceous species may be an adaptive strategy.
Leaf hypostomy and bicoloration, along with specific stomatal behaviors, appear significant for water and photosynthetic relations.
Shrubby species demonstrate distinct adaptations to high temperatures and water stress in subalpine environments.