Publication
Title
Can light-saturated photosynthesis in lowland tropical forests be estimated by one light level?
Author
Abstract
Leaf-level net photosynthesis (A(n)) estimates and associated photosynthetic parameters are crucial for accurately parameterizing photosynthesis models. For tropical forests, such data are poorly available and collected at variable light conditions. To avoid over- or underestimation of modeled photosynthesis, it is critical to know at which photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) photosynthesis becomes light-saturated. We studied the dependence ofA(n)on PPFD in two tropical forests in French Guiana. We estimated the light saturation range, including the lowest PPFD level at whichA(sat)(A(n)at light saturation) is reached, as well as the PPFD range at whichA(sat)remained unaltered. The light saturation range was derived from photosynthetic light-response curves, and within-canopy and interspecific differences were studied. We observed wide light saturation ranges ofA(n). Light saturation ranges differed among canopy heights, but a PPFD level of 1,000 mu mol m(-2) s(-1)was common across all heights, except for pioneer trees species that did not reach light saturation below 2,000 mu mol m(-2) s(-1). A light intensity of 1,000 mu mol m(-2) s(-1)sufficed for measuringA(sat)of climax species at our study sites, independent of the species or the canopy height. Because of the wide light saturation ranges, results from studies measuringA(sat)at higher PPFD levels (for upper canopy leaves up to 1,600 mu mol m(-2) s(-1)) are comparable with studies measuring at 1,000 mu mol m(-2) s(-1).
Language
English
Source (journal)
Biotropica. - St. Louis, Mo
Related dataset(s)
Publication
Hoboken : Wiley , 2020
ISSN
0006-3606
DOI
10.1111/BTP.12817
Volume/pages
52 :6 (2020) , p. 1183-1193
ISI
000539933600001
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Effects of phosphorus limitations on Life, Earth system and Society (IMBALANCE-P).
Global Ecosystem Functioning and Interactions with Global Change.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 17.07.2020
Last edited 02.10.2024
To cite this reference