Functional characterisitcs of the arborescent genus Polylepis along a latitudinal gradient in the high Andes
Fecha
2007-09Palabras Clave
Andean Mountain Range, Carbon Relations, Gas Exchange, Low Temperature Resistance, PhotosynthesisMetadatos
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Polylepis is a genus restricted to the Andean Mountain Range, naturally occurring above the upper continuous forest limit. The purpose of this work was to integrate and compare
functional characteristics in terms of water and carbon relations and low temperature resistance mechanisms in different Polylepis species along a latitudinal gradient. The studied species were P. sericea in Venezuela, P. tarapacana in Bolivia and P. australis in Argentina. Seasonal measurements of leaf
water and osmotic potentials, stomatal conductance, CO2 assimilation and respiration rates, and injury and freezing temperatures
were compared. There is a gradient, in terms of functional attributes, along the environmental range. P. tarapacana is the most tolerant species to water stress, while P. sericea avoids the less harsh conditions of its habitat through osmotic adjustments and cell wall elasticity changes. Mean CO2
assimilation rates were higher in P. australis (9μmol·m‑2·s‑1)campared to P. sericea (5μmol·m-2·s-1) and P. tarapacana
(3·μmol·m-2·s-1). Mean night leaf respiration rates were similar for all species (1-2·μmol·m-2·s-1). In terms of low temperature
resistance, P. sericea shows daily osmotic adjustments and a moderate supercooling capacity (-9ºC). The other two species
rely on freezing tolerance in order to survive the more extreme low temperature conditions. The functional attributes
described in this study for the different species in a wide environmental range may explain some aspects of their success
along the latitudinal and altitudinal gradients.
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Información Adicional
Correo Electrónico | aazocar@ula.ve frada@ula.ve cgarcia@ula.ve |
Editor | Interciencia 32(10): 663-668 |
Colación | 663-668 |
País | Venezuela |
Institución | Universidad de Los Andes |