Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Canopy structure, light microclimate and leaf gas exchange of Quercus coccifera L. in a Portuguese macchia: measurements in different canopy layers and simulations with a canopy model

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Trees Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The structural characteristics of a diverse array of Quercus coccifera canopies were assessed and related to measured and computed light attenuation, proportion of sunlit foliage, foliage temperatures, and photosynthesis and diffusive conductance behavior in different canopy layers. A canopy model incorporating all components of shortwave and longwave radiation, and the energy balance, conductance, and CO2 and H2O exchanges of all leaf layers was developed and compared with measurements of microclimate and gas exchange in canopies in four seasons of the year. In the denser canopies with a leaf area index (LAI) greater than 5, there is little sunlit foliage and the diffuse radiation (400–700 nm) is attenuated to 5% or less of the global radiation (400–700 nm) incident on the top of the canopy. Foliage of this species is nonrandomly distributed with respect to azimuth angle, and within each canopy layer, foliage azimuth and inclination angles are correlated. A detailed version of the model which computed radiation interception and photosynthetic light harvesting according to these nonrandom distributions indicated little difference in whole-canopy gas exchange from calculations of the normal model, which assumes random azimuth orientation. The contributions of different leaf layers to canopy gas exchange are not only a function of the canopy microclimate, but also the degree to which leaves in the lower layers of the canopy exhibit more shade-leaf characteristics, such as low photosynthetic and respiratory capacity and maximal conductance. On cloudless days, the majority of the foliage in a canopy of 5.4 LAI is shaded —70%–90% depending on the time of year. Yet, the shaded foliage under these conditions is calculated to contribute only about one-third of the canopy carbon gain. This contribution is about the same as that of the upper 13% of the canopy foliage. Computed annual whole-canopy carbon gain and water use are, respectively, 60% and 100% greater for a canopy of 5 LAI than for one of 2 LAI. Canopy water-use efficiency is correspondingly less for the canopy of 5 LAI than for that of 2 LAI, but most of this difference is apparent during the cool months of the year, when moisture is more abundant.

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

Reference

  • Anderson MC (1966) Stand structure and light penetration. II. A theoretical analysis. J Appl Ecol 3: 41–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker DN, Hesketh JD, Duncan WG (1972) Simulation of growth and yield in cotton. I. Gross photosynthesis, respiration, and growth. Crop Sci 12: 431–435

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldocchi D, Hutchison B, Matt D, McMillan R (1986) Seasonal variation in the statistics of photosynthetically active radiation penetration in an oak-hickory forest. Agric For Meterol 36: 343–361

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyschlag W, Lange OL, Tenhunen JD (1986) Photosynthese und Wasserhaushalt der mediterranen Hartlaubpflanze Arbutus unedo L. im Jahreslauf am Freilandstandort in Portugal I. Tageslauf von CO2-Gaswechsel und Transpiration unter den natürlichen Bedingungen. Flora (in press)

  • Brutsaert W (1975) On a derivable formula for long-wave radiation from clear skies. Water Resour Res 11: 742–744

    Google Scholar 

  • Burt JE, Luther FM (1979) Effect of receiver orientation on erythema dose. Photochem Photobiol 29: 85–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Bussinger JA (1975) Aerodynamics of vegetated surfaces. In: de Vries DA, Afgan NH (eds) Heat and mass transfer in the biosphere. Wiley, New York, pp 139–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Catarino FM, Correia O, Correia AI (1982) Structure and dynamics of Serra da Arrábida mediterranean vegetation. Ecol Mediterr 8: 203–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Comstock JP, Mahall BE (1985) Drought and changes in leaf orientation for two California chaparral shrubs: Ceanothus metacarpus and Ceanothus crassifolius. Oecologia 65: 531–535

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowan IR (1968) The interception and absorption of radiation in plant stands. J Appl Ecol 5: 367–379

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowan IR, Farquhar GD (1977) Stomatal function in relation to leaf metabolism and environment. In: Jennings DH (ed) Integration of activity in the higher plant. Cambridge University Press, pp 471–505

  • Davidson JL, Philip JR (1958) Light and pasture growth. In: Climatology and microclimatology. UNESCO, Paris, pp 181–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan WC, Loomis RS, Williams WA, Hanau R (1967) A model for simulating photosynthesis in plant communities. Hilgardia 38: 181–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehleringer J (1981) Leaf absorptances of Mohave and Sonoran desert plants. Oecologia 49: 366–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehleringer JR, Comstock J (1987) Leaf absorptance and leaf angle: mechanisms for stress avoidance. In: Tenhunen JD, Catarino FM, Lange OL, Oechel WC (eds) Plant response to stress — functional analysis in mediterranean ecosystems. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Field C (1981) Leaf age effects on the carbon gain of individual leaves in relation to microsite. In: Margaris NS, Mooney HA (eds) Components of productivity of mediterranean-climate regions. Basic and applied aspects. Junk, The Hague, Boston London, pp 41–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Field C, Mooney HA (1983) Leaf age and seasonal effects on light, water, and nitrogen use efficiency in a California shrub. Oecologia 56: 348–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Gates DM (1980) Biophysical ecology. Springer, New York Heidelberg Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson MB, Stoner WA, Richards SP (1981) Models of plant and soil processes. In: Miller PC (ed) Resource use by chaparral and matorral. A comparison of vegetation function in two mediterranean type ecosystems. Springer, Berlin New York Heidelberg, pp 237–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis PG, Leverenz JW (1983) Productivity of temperate, deciduous and evergreen forests. In: Lange OL, Nobel PS, Osmond CB, Zielger H (eds) Encyclopedia of plant physiology, vol 12. Physiological plant ecology IV. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 233–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis PH, Miranda HS, Muetzelfeld RI (1985) Modelling canopy exchanges of water vapor and carbon dioxide in coniferous forest plantations. In: Hutchison BA, Hicks BB (eds) The forest-atmosphere interaction. Reidel Hingham, MA, pp 521–542

    Google Scholar 

  • Lange OL, Tenhunen JD, Braun M (1982) Midday stomatal closure in mediterranean type sclerophylls under simulated habitat conditions in an environmental chamber. I. Comparison of the behavior of various European Mediterranean species. Flora 172: 563–579

    Google Scholar 

  • Lange OL, Tenhunen JD, Harley P, Walz H (1985) Method for field measurements of CO2-exchange. The diurnal changes in net photosynthesis and photosynthetic capacity of lichens under mediterranean climatic conditions. In: Brown DH (ed) Lichen physiology and cell biology. Plenum, New York, pp 23–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemon ER (1967) The impact of the atmospheric environment on the integument of plants. Int J Biometeorol 3: 57–69

    Google Scholar 

  • List RJ (1968) Smithsonian meteorological tables. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lösch R, Tenhunen JD, Pereira JS, Lange OL (1982) Diurnal courses of stomatal resistance and transpiration of wild and cultivated mediterranean perennials at the end of the summer dry season in Portugal. Flora 172: 138–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Meister HP, Caldwell MM, Tenhunen JD, Lange OL (1987) A simulation of canopy light climate, canopy production and water use of Q. coccifera. In: Tenhunen JC, Catarino FM, Lange OL, Oechel WC, (eds) Plant response to stress-functional analysis in mediterranean ecosystems. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller PC (1972) Bioclimate, leaf temperature, and primary production in red mangrove canopies in south Florida. Ecology 53: 22–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller PC (1981) Resource use by chapparal and matorral. A comparison of vegetation function in two mediterranean type ecosystems. Springer, New York Berlin Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller PC, Stoner WA (1979) Canopy structure and environmental interactions. In: Solbrig O, Jain S, Johnson GB, Raven PH (eds) Plant population biology. Columbia University Press, New York, pp 163–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Monsi M, Saeki T (1953) Über den Lichtfaktor in den Pflanzengesellschaften und seine Bedeutung für die Stoffproduktion. Jpn J Bot 14: 22–52

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Monteith JL (1965) Light distribution and photosynthesis in field crops. Ann Bot 29: 17–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney HA, Ehleringer J, Björkman O (1977) The energy balance of leaves of the evergreen desert shrub A triplex hymenelytra. Oecologia 29: 301–310

    Google Scholar 

  • Norman JM (1978) Modelling the complete crop canopy. In: Barfield BJ, Gerber JF (eds) Modification of the aerial environment of plants, pp 249–277. Am Soc Agric Eng, St. Joseph, pp 249–277

    Google Scholar 

  • Norman JM (1980) Interfacing leaf and canopy light interception models. In: Hesketh JD, Jones JW (eds) Predicting photosynthesis for ecosystem models. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 49–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Norman JM, Jarvis PG (1975) Photosynthesis in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.). V. Radiation penetration theory and a test case. J Appl Ecol 12: 839–878

    Google Scholar 

  • Norman JM, Miller EE, Tanner CS (1971) Light intensity and sunfleck-size distributions in plant canopies. Agron J 63: 743–748

    Google Scholar 

  • Oechel WC, Lawrence WT (1979) Energy utilization and carbon metabolism in mediterranean scrub vegetation of Chile and California. I. Methods: a transportable cuvette field photosynthesis and data acquisition system and representative results for Ceanothus greggii. Oecologia 39: 321–335

    Google Scholar 

  • Oechel WC, Mustafa J (1979) Energy utilization and carbon metabolism in mediterranean scrub vegetation of Chile and California. II. The relationship between photosynthesis and cover in chaparral evergreen shrubs. Oecologia 41: 305–315

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearcy RW, Osteryoung K, Calkin HW (1985) Photosynthetic responses to dynamic light renvironments by Hawaiian trees. Time course of CO2 uptake and carbon gain during sunflecks. Plant Physiol 79: 896–902

    Google Scholar 

  • Rambal S (1984) Water balance and pattern of root water uptake by a Quercus coccifera L. evergreen scrub. Oecologia 62: 18–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Rambal S, Leterme J (1987) Changes in above-ground structure and resistance to water uptake in Quercus coccifera along a rainfall gradient. In: Tenhunen JD, Catarino F, Lange OL, Oechel WC (eds) Plant response to stress — Functional analysis in mediterranean ecosystems. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts SW, Miller PC (1977) Interception of solar radiation as affected by canopy organization in two mediterranean shrubs. Oecol Plant 12: 273–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross J (1981) The radiation regime and architecture of plant stands. Junk, The Hague

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulze ED, Hall AE (1982) Stomatal responses, water loss and CO2 assimilation rates of plants in contrasting environments. In: Lange OL, Nobel PS, Osmond CB, Ziegler H (eds) Encyclopedia of plant physiology, vol. 12B. Physiological plant ecology II. Water relations and carbon assimilation. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 181–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulze ED, Hall AE, Lange OL, Walz H (1982) A portable steady-state porometer for measuring the carbon dioxide and water vapour exchanges of leaves under natural conditions. Oecologia 53: 141–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen JD, Yocum CS, Gates DM (1976) Development of a photosynthesis model with an emphasis on ecological applications 1. Theory. Oecologia 26: 89–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen JD, Meyer A, Lange OL, Gates DM (1980) Development of a photosynthesis model with an emphasis on ecological applications. V. Test of the applicability of a steady-state model to description of net photosynthesis of Prunus armeniaca under field conditions. Oecologia 45: 147–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen JD, Lange OL, Janner D (1982) The control by atmospheric factors and water stress of midday stomatal 41 closure in Arbutus unedo growing in a natural macchia. Oecologia 55: 165–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen JD, Lange OL, Harley PC, Beyschlag W (1985) Limitations due to water stress on leaf net photosynthesis of Quercus coccifera in the Portuguese evergreen scrub. Oecologia 67: 23–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenhunen JD, Harley PC, Beyschlag W, Lange OL (1987) A model of net photosynthesis for leaves of the European sclerophyll Quercus coccifera. In: Tenhunen JD, Catarino F, Lange OL, Oechel WC (eds) Plant response to stress — Functional analysis in mediterranean ecosystems. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Warren Wilson J (1960) Inclined point quadrats. New Phytol 58: 1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber JA, Tenhunen JD, Lange OL (1985) Effects of temperature at constant air dew point on leaf carboxylation efficiency and CO2 compensation point of different leaf types. Planta 166: 81–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Werk KS, Ehleringer J (1984) Non-random leaf orientation in Lactuca serriola L. Plant Cell Environ 7: 81–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams WE (1983) Optimal water-use efficiency in a California shrub. Plant Cell Environ 6: 145–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Wit CT de (1965) Photosynthesis of leaf canopies. Agric Res Rep Vers Landbouwk Onderzoek Wageningen

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. M. M. Caldwell

    Present address: Department of Range Science and the Ecology Center, Utah State University, 84322-5230, Logan, UT, USA

  2. J. D. Tenhunen

    Present address: Systems Ecology Research Group, San Diego State University, 92182, San Diego, CA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl für Botanik II, Universität Würzburg, Mittlerer Dallenbergweg 64, D-8700, Würzburg, Germany

    M. M. Caldwell, H.-P. Meister, J. D. Tenhunen & O. L. Lange

Authors
  1. M. M. Caldwell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H.-P. Meister
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. D. Tenhunen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. O. L. Lange
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Caldwell, M.M., Meister, HP., Tenhunen, J.D. et al. Canopy structure, light microclimate and leaf gas exchange of Quercus coccifera L. in a Portuguese macchia: measurements in different canopy layers and simulations with a canopy model. Trees 1, 25–41 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00197022

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00197022

Key words

Search

Navigation