Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of long-term exposure to elevated UV-B radiation on the photosynthetic performance of five broad-leaved tree species

  • Published:
Photosynthesis Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As part of an ongoing investigation into the effects of long-term UV-B radiation exposure on the growth and morphology of woody perennials, the gas exchange and photosynthesis of five common deciduous tree species were measured. All five tree species had been exposed to UV-B radiation for 5 years, in the field, at an enhancement level equivalent to an 18% ozone depletion. Measurements made during the fifth year of UV-B irradiation recorded reductions in light-saturated photosynthesis, transpiration and water use efficiencies. These changes were accompanied by marked reductions in individual leaf areas, stomatal density, stomatal conductance and carboxylation efficiency. There were no significant changes in the maximum variable fluorescence ratio, the quantum requirement of oxygen evolution, or light-saturated O2 production. Analysis of the response of net carbon assimilation to changing intercellular CO2 concentration (A/ci response) demonstrated no significant change in stomatal limitation. Reductions in photosynthesis were consistent with decreased carboxylation efficiency. Although all five tree species were similarly affected by UV-B radiation treatment, the magnitude of the responses was species-specific. These findings demonstrate the need for more long-term experimentation and also suggest that changes in water use efficiency may be a significant factor in plants' responses to UV-B radiation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adamse P and Britz SJ (1992) Spectral quality of two fluorescent UV sources during long-term use. Photochem Photobiol 56: 641–644

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen DJ (1998) Analyses of limitations to photosynthesis induced by UV-B irradiation. PhD thesis, University of Essex, Colchester, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen DJ, McKee IF Farage PK and Baker NR (1997) Analysis of the limitation to CO2 assimilation on the exposure of leaves of two Brassica napus cultivars to UV-B. Plant Cell Environ 20: 633–640

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allen DJ, Nogués S and Baker NR (1998) Ozone depletion and increased UV-B radiation: Is there a threat to photosynthesis? J Exp Bot 49: 1775–1788

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allen DJ, Nogués S, Morison JIL, Greenslade PD, McLeod AR and Baker NR (1999) A thirty percent increase in UV-B has no impact on photosynthesis in well-watered and droughted pea plants in the field. Glob Change Biol 5: 235–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ambach W and Blumthaler M(1991) Further increase in ultraviolet-B. Lancet 338: 393–396

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baker NR, Nogués S and Allen DJ (1997) Photosynthesis and Photoinhibition. In: Lumsden PJ (ed) Plants and UV-B; Responses to Environmental Change, pp 95–112. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Basiouny F, Van TK and Biggs RH (1978) Some morphological and biochemical characteristics of C3 and C4 plants irradiated with UV-B. Physiol Plantarum 42: 29–32.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Björkman O and Demmig B (1987) Photon yield of O2evolution and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics at 77 K among vascular plants of diverse origins. Planta 170: 489–504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Björn LO, Callaghan T, Gehrke C, Gunnarsson T, Holmgren B, Johanson U, Snogerup S, Sonesson M, Sterner O and Yu S-G (1997) Effects on subarctic vegetation of enhanced UV-B radiation. In: Lumsden PJ (ed) Plants and UV-B; Responses to Environmental Change, pp 233–246. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Blumthaler M and Ambach W (1990) Indication of increasing solar ultraviolet-B radiation flux in alpine regions. Science 248: 206–8

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bornman JF and Teramura AH (1993) Effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on terrestrial plants. In: Young AR, Björn LO, Moan J and Nultsch W (eds) Environmental UV Photobiology, pp 427–471. Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bornman JF, Reuber S, Cen Y-P and Weissenbock g (1997) Ultraviolet radiation as a stress and the role of protective pigments. In: Lumsden PJ (ed) Plants and UV-B; Responses to Environmental Change, pp 157–170. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogenrieder A and Klein R (1982) Does solar UV influence the competitive relationship in higher plants? In: Calkins J (ed) The Role of Solar Ultraviolet Radiation in Marine Ecosystems, pp 54–71. Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell MM and Flint SD (1994) Solar ultraviolet radiation and ozone layer change: Implications for crop plants. In: Boote K, Bennett JM, Sinclair TR and Paulsen GM (eds) Physiology and Determination of Crop Yield, pp 487–507. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell MM, Teramura AH and Tevini M (1989) The changing solar ultraviolet climate and the ecological consequences for higher plants. Trends Ecol Evol 4: 363–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell MM, Flint SD and Searles PS (1994) Spectral balance and UV-B sensitivity of soybean: A field experiment. Plant Cell Environ 17: 267–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell MM, Teramura AH, Tevini M, Bornman JF, Björn LO and Kulandaivelu G (1995) Effects of increased solar ultraviolet radiation on terrestrial plants. Ambio 24: 166–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Cannell M (1995) Forests and the Global Carbon Cycle in the Past Present and Future. European Forest Institute, Report 2, Finland

  • Day TA, Vogelmann TC and DeLucia EH (1992) Are some plant life-forms more effective than others in screening out ultraviolet-B radiation? Oecologia 92: 513–519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeLucia EH, Day TA and Vogelmann TC (1991) Ultraviolet-B radiation and the Rocky Mountain environment: Measurement of incident light and penetration into foliage. Curr Top Plant Biochem Physiol 10: 32–48

    Google Scholar 

  • DeLucia EH, Day TA and Vogelmann TC (1992) Ultraviolet-B and visible light penetration into pine needles of two species of subalpine conifers during foliar development. Plant Cell Environ 15: 921–929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farman JC, Gardiner BG and Shanklin JD (1985). Large losses of total ozone in Antarctica reveal seasonal ClOx–NOx interaction. Nature 35: 207–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farqahar GD and Sharkey TD (1982) Stomatal conductance and photosynthesis. Ann Rev Plant Physiol 33: 317–345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fiscus EL and Booker FL (1995) Is increased UV-B a threat to crop photosynthesis and productivity? Photosynth Res 43: 81–92

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fiscus EL, Miller JE and Booker FL (1994) Is UV-B a hazard to soybean photosynthesis and yield? Results of an ozone-UV-B interaction study and model predictions. In: Biggs RH and Joyner MEB (eds) Stratospheric Ozone Depletion/UV-B Radiation in the Biosphere, pp 135–147. Springer-Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Gleason JF, Bhartia PK, Herman JR, McPeters R, Newman P, Stolarski RS, Flynn L, Labow G, Larko D, Seftor C, Wellemeyer C, Komhyr WD, Miller AJ and Planet W (1993) Record low global ozone in 1992. Science 260: 523–526

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez R, Mepsted R, Wellburn AR and Paul ND (1998) Nonphotosynthetic mechanisms of growth reduction in pea (Pisum sativum) exposed to UV-B radiation. Plant Cell Environ 21: 23–32

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Green AES, Cross KR and Smith LA (1980) Improved analytical characterization of ultraviolet skylight. Photochem Photobiol 31: 59–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Greene O (1995) Emerging challenges for the Montreal Protocol. The Globe 27: 5–6

    Google Scholar 

  • He J, Huang L-K, Chow WS, Whitecross MI and Anderson JM (1993) Effects of supplementary ultraviolet-B radiation on rice and pea plants. Aust J Plant Physiol 20: 129–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann DJ and Dresler T (1991) Evidence from balloon measurements for chemical depletion of stratospheric ozone in the Arctic winter of 1989–90. Nature 349: 300–305

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holmes MG (1997) Action spectra for UV-B effects on plants: monochromatic and polychromatic approaches for analysing plant responses. In: Lumsden PJ (ed) Plants and UV-B; Responses to Environmental Change, pp 31–50. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwanzik W, Tevini M, Dohnt G, Voss M, Weiss W, Graber P and Renger G (1983) Action of UV-B radiation on photosynthetic primary reactions in spinach chloroplasts. Physiol Plant 58: 401–407

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jie HE, Haung L-K, Chow WS, Whitecross MI and Anderson JM (1993) Effects of supplementary ultraviolet-B radiation on rice and pea plants. Aust J Plant Physiol 20: 129–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johanson U, Gehrke C, Björn LO and Callaghan TV (1995) The effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on the growth of dwarf shrubs in a subarctic heathland. Funct Ecol 9: 713–719

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jordan BR, He J, Chow WS and Anderson JM (1992) Changes in mRNA levels and polypeptide subunits of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase in response to supplemental UV-B radiation. Plant Cell Environ 15: 91–98

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krause GH and Weis E (1991) Chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis: The Basics. Ann Rev Plant Physiol Plant Mol Biol 42: 313–49

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krause GH, Schmude C, Garden, H, Koroleva OY and Winter K (1999). Effects of solar ultraviolet radiation on the potential ef-ficiency of Photosystem II in leaves of tropical plants. Plant Physiol 121(4): 1349–1358

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Larcher W (1995) Gas exchange in plants. In: Physiological Plant Ecology, p 81. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/London/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Leegood RC (1993) Carbon Metabolism. In: Hall DO, Scurlock JMO, Bolhar-Nordenkampf HR, Leegood RC and Long SP (eds) Photosynthesis and Production in a Changing Environment: A Field and Laboratory Manual, pp 247–267. Chapman & Hall, London/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackerness SA-H, Jordan BR and Thomas B (1997) UV-B effects on the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in photosynthesis. In: Lumsden PJ (ed) Plants and UV-B; Responses to Environmental Change, pp 113–134. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • McKinlay AF and Diffey BL (1987) A reference action spectrum for ultraviolet induced erythema in human skin. In: Pschier WF and Bosnajokovic BFM (eds) Human Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation: Risk and Regulations, pp 83–87. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • McLeod AR and Newsham KK (1997) Impacts of elevated UV-B on forest ecosystems. In: Lumsden PJ (ed) Plants and UV-B; Responses to Environmental Change, pp 247–282. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Melis A, Nemson JA and Harrison MA (1992) Damage to functional components and partial degradation of Photosystem II reaction centre proteins apon chloroplast exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation. Biochim Biophys Acta 1109: 312–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Mepsted R, Paul ND, Stephen J, Corlett JE, Nogués S, Baker NR, Jones HG and Ayres PG (1996) Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on pea (Pisum sativum L.) grown under field conditions in the United Kingdom. Global Change Biol 2: 325–334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Middleton EM and Teramura AH (1993) The protective role of flavonol glycosides and carotenoids in protecting soybean from UV-B damage. Plant Physiol 103: 741–752

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Milburn JA (1979) Water Flow in Plants. Longman, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Moody SA, Coop DJS and Paul ND (1997) Effects of elevated UVB radiation and elevated CO2 on heathland communities. In: Lumsden PJ (ed) Plants and UV-B; Responses to Environmental Change, pp 283–304. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Murali NS and Teramura AH (1986) Effectiveness of UV-B radiation on the growth and physiology of field-grown soybean modified by water stress. Photochem Photobiol 44: 215–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Musil CF (1995) Differential effects of elevated ultraviolet-B radiation on the photochemical and reproductive performances of dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous arid-environment ephemerals. Plant Cell Environ 18: 844–854

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naidu SL, Sullivan JH, Teramura AH and DeLucia EH (1993) The effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on photosynthesis of different aged needles in field-grown loblolly pine. Tree Physiol 12: 151–162

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Negash L (1987) Wavelength dependence of stomatal closure by ultraviolet radiation in attached leaves of Eragrostis tef: Action spectra under backgrounds of red and blue lights. Plant Physiol Biochem 25: 753–760

    Google Scholar 

  • Negash L and Björn LO (1986) Stomatal closure by ultraviolet radiation. Physiol Plant 66: 360–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newsham KK, Mcleod AR, Greenslade PD and Emmett (1996) Appropriate controls in outdoor UV-B supplementation experiments. Global Change Biol 2: 319–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nogués S and Baker NR (1995) Evaluation of the role of damage to photosystem II in the inhibition of CO2 assimilation in pea plants on exposure to UV-B radiation. Plant Cell Environ 18: 781–787

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nogués S, Allen DJ, Morison JIL and Baker NR (1998) Ultraviolet-B radiation effects on water relations, leaf development and photosynthesis in droughted pea plants. Plant Physiol 117: 173–181

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Poole I, Weyers DB, Lawson T and Raven JA (1996) Variations in stomatal density and index: Implications for paleoclimatic reconstructions. Plant Cell Environ 19: 705–712

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pospisilova J and Santrucek J (1994) Stomatal patchiness. Biol Planta 36: 481–519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Renger G, Volker M, Echert HJ, Fromme R, Hohm-Viet S and Graber P (1989) On the mechanism of Photosystem II deterioration by UV-B radiation. Photochem Photobiol 49: 97–105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reuber S, Bornman JF and Weissenbock G (1996) Phenylpropanoid compounds in primary leaves of rye (Secale cereale) light regulation of their biosynthesis and the possible role in UV-B protection. Physiol Plant 97: 160–168

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roberntz P and Linder S (1999) Effects of long-term CO2 enrichment and nutrient availability in Norway Spruce. Trees 14: 17–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Rozema J, Van De Staaij J and Tosserams M (1997a) Effects of UV-B radiation on plants from agro-and natural ecosystems. In: Lumsden PJ (ed) Plants and UV-B; Responses to Environmental Change, pp 213–232. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Rozema J, Van De Staaij J, Björn LO and Caldwell m (1997b) UVB as an environmental factor in plant life: Stress and regulation. Tree 12: 22–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber U, Schliwa U and Bilger W. (1986) Continuous recording of photochemical and non photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence using a new type of modulation fluorimeter. Photosynth Res 10: 51–62

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shindell DT, Rind D and Longeran P (1998) Increased polar stratospheric ozone losses and delayed eventual recovery owing to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. Nature 392: 589–592

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith S, Weyers JBD and Berry WG (1989) Variation in stomatal characteristics over the lower surface of Commelina communis leaves. Plant Cell Environ 12: 653–659

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steinmüller D and Tevini M (1985) Action of ultraviolet radiation upon cuticular waxes in some crop plants. Planta 164: 557–564

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strid A, Chow WS and Anderson JM (1990) Effects of supplementary ultraviolet-B radiation on photosynthesis in Pisum sativum. Biochim Biophys Acta 1020: 260–268

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan JH (1994) Temporal and fluence responses of tree foliage to UV-B radiation. In: Biggs RH and Joyner MEB (eds) Stratospheric Ozone Depletion/UV-B Radiation in the Biosphere, pp 135–147. Springer-Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan JH and Teramura AH (1990) Field study of the interaction between solar ultraviolet-B radiation and drought on photosynthesis and growth in soybean. Plant Physiol 92: 141–146

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan JH and Teramura AH (1992) The effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on loblolly pines 2. Growth of field-grown seedlings. Tree Struct Funct 6: 115–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Teramura AH and Sullivan JH (1994) Effects of UV-B radiation on photosynthesis and growth of terrestrial plants. Photosynth Res 39: 463–473

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Teramura AH, Tevini M and Iwanzik W (1983) Effects of ultraviolet-B irradiance on plants during mild water stress. I. Effects on diurnal stomatal resistance. Physiol Plant 57: 175–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teramura AH, Perry MC, Lydon J, McIntosh MS and Summers EG (1984) Effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on plants during mild water stress III.Effects on photosynthetic recovery and growth in soybean. Physiol Plant 60: 484–492

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Teramura AH, Sullivan JH and Ziska LH (1990) Effects of UV-B radiation on soybean yield and quality: A six-year field study. Physiol Plant 80: 5–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teramura AH, Ziska LH and Sztein AE (1991) Changes in growth and photosynthetic capacity of rice with increased UV-B radiation. Physiol Plant 83: 373–380

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tevini M and Steinmuller D (1987) The influence of light, UVB radiation and herbicides on wax biosynthesis of cucumber seedlings. J Plant Physiol 131: 111–121

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tevini M and Teramura AH (1989) UV-B effects on terrestrial plants. Photochem Photobiol 50: 479–487

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tevini M, Iwanzik W and Teramura AH (1983) Effects of UV-B radiation on plants during mild water stress. II Effects on growth, protein and flavonoid content. Z Pflanzenphysiol 110: 459–467

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • THESEO (2000) Third European Stratospheric Experiment on Ozone. Press release, Brussels, April 2000. (http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/envsc/t heseo.html)

  • von Caemmerer S and Farquahar GD (1981) Some relationships between the biochemistry of photosynthesis and the gas exchange of leaves. Planta 153: 376–387

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walker DA (1990) Use of the Oxygen Electrode and Fluorescence Probes in Simple Measurements of Photosynthesis. Oxygraphics Ltd, Brighton/Packard Publishing, Chichester, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb AR (1997) Monitoring changes in UV-B radiation. In: Lumsden PJ (ed) Plants and UV-B; Responses to Environmental Change, pp 13–30. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker RH (1975) Communities and Ecosystems, MacMillan, New York, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker H and Likens GE (1975) The biosphere and Man. In: Leith H and Whittaker H (eds) Primary Productivity of the Biosphere, pp 305–328. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • WMO (1995) Scientific assessment of ozone depletion. World Meteorological Organisation. Global Ozone Research and Monitoring Project, Report 37, Geneva, Switzerland

  • Zeuthen J, Mikkelsen H, Ro-Poulsen G and Paludan-Müller (2000) Effects of increased UV-B radiation and elevated levels of tropospheric ozone on physiological processes in European beech (fagus sylvatica). Physiol Plant 100: 281–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ziska LH and Teramura AH (1992) CO2 enhancement of growth and photosynthesis in rice (Oryza sativa.): Modification by increased ultraviolet-B radiation. Plant Physiol 99: 473–481

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Life Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Anglia Polytechnic University, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK

    D.R. Keiller

  2. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK

    M.G. Holmes

Authors
  1. D.R. Keiller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M.G. Holmes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D.R. Keiller.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Keiller, D., Holmes, M. Effects of long-term exposure to elevated UV-B radiation on the photosynthetic performance of five broad-leaved tree species . Photosynthesis Research 67, 229–240 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010620228989

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010620228989

Search

Navigation