Leaf structural and photosynthetic pigment characteristics of three gallery-forest hardwood species in northeast Kansas

doi:10.1016/0378-1127(87)90110-1

Forest Ecology and Management

Volume 22, Issues 3–4, December 1987, Pages 261-266

https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-1127(87)90110-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

Leaf structural and photosynthetic pigment characteristics were measured in three dominant gallery-forest hardwood species in northeast Kansas, U.S.A. Leaves of Quercus macrocarpa and Q. muehlenbergii (more-xeric, shade-intolerant species) had significantly greater thickness, specific mass, stomatal densities and guard cell lengths than leaves of Celtis occidentalis (more-mesic, shade-tolerant). Except for guard cell lengths, these findings are consistent with differences between xeric and mesic species and shade-intolerant and shade-tolerant species. These gallery-forest species generally had much greater stomatal densities and/or lower guard-cell lengths compared to the same species or genera growing in more-mesic forests further in the east of the U.S. Compared to C. occidentalis, the Quercus species had significantly greater total chlorophyll and carotenoids, but similar chlorophyll-a:b ratios. The chlorophyll findings contradict the established idea that shade-tolerant species have greater total chlorophyll and lower chlorophyl-a:b ratios, but may be related to exceptional site and climatic factors.

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Effects of thinning in a 43-year-old Douglas-fir stand on above- and below-ground biomass allocation and leaf structure of understory Gaultheria shallon
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Comparative water relations of seedling and adult Quercus species during gallery forest expansion in tallgrass prairie
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Seasonal patterns in xylem pressure potential (ψ) and stomatal conductance to water vapor (g) were compared between seedlings (1–5 years old) invading tallgrass prairie and adult trees of Quercus macrocarpa (Bur oak) and Quercus muehlenbergii (Chinquapin oak) in adjacent gallery forest. Water is often limiting to productivity in the Flint Hills of NE Kansas, thus, we hypothesized that seedlings invading a grassland would have lower ψ and g compared with adult trees, reflecting competitive interactions for water between seedlings and the dominant grasses. We found that ψ was usually lower in adult trees than in older seedlings, but in the very smallest seedlings ψ was significantly reduced compared with mature (greater than 50 years) individuals. Adult and 1- to 2-year-old seedlings had similar g during the season with highest g occurring in older (4- to 5-year-old) seedlings. In general, Q. muehlenbergii had higher ψ and lower g than Q. macrocarpa consistent with reports that Q. muehlenbergii is more drought tolerant. Rapid and extensive root growth characteristic of Quercus seedlings reduced the period of time when seedlings invading prairie must compete with the grasses for water, although water stress may still be an important factor affecting first-year seedlings in this ecosystem. In contrast, strong intraspecific competition for water within mature gallery forests may have reduced ψ and g in forest trees. Thus, the potential for water stress to impact Quercus survival and growth in this drought-prone ecosystem is greatest during establishment and then after forest development is complete. Older seedlings (greater than 4–5 years old), saplings and isolated trees within the prairie may experience the least water stress due to a reduction in both inter- and intraspecific competition for water. These data suggest that in the absence of severe fire or drought occurring during the growing season, gallery forests will continye to expand into tallgrass prairie.
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Forest Ecology and Management

Abstract

References (21)

Age-diameter relationships of Quercus species in relation to edaphic factors in gallery forests in northeast Kansas

For. Ecol. Manage.

Historical development of gallery forests in northeast Kansas

Vegetatio

Physiological plasticity in water relations and leaf structure of understory versus open-grown Cercis canadensis L. in northeast Kansas

Can. J. For. Res.

Seasonal water relations of three gallery forest hardwood species in northesst Kansas

For. Sci.

Water stress effects on the content and organization of chlorophyll in mesophyll and bundle sheath chloroplasts of maize

Plant Physiol.

Comparative photosynthesis of sun and shade plants

Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol.

Drought in Kansas

Kansas State Univ. Agric. Exp. Stn. Bull.

Drought in Kansas

Kansas State Univ. Agric. Exp. Stn. Bull.

Stomatal distribution and size in southern Appalachian hardwoods

Can. J. Bot.

A comparative study of leaf thickness among southern Appalachian hardwoods

Can. J. Bot.

Stomatal responses of five woody angiosperms to light intensity and humidity

Can. J. Bot.

Cited by (12)

Effects of thinning in a 43-year-old Douglas-fir stand on above- and below-ground biomass allocation and leaf structure of understory Gaultheria shallon

Comparative water relations of seedling and adult Quercus species during gallery forest expansion in tallgrass prairie

Leaf structural characteristics of 31 hardwood and conifer tree species in central Wisconsin: Influence of light regime and shade-tolerance rank

Morphological, antioxidase, and photosynthetic responses in Liaodong elata (Aralia elata) under treatments of light intensity

Timing of Nitrogen Resorption-Related Processes during Fall Senescence in Southern Oak Species

Effects of shading on the growth and leaf photosynthetic characteristics of three forages in an apple orchard on the Loess Plateau of eastern Gansu, China