Influence of sunflecks on the δ ¹³ C of Adenocaulon bicolor plants occurring in contrasting forest understory microsites

Summary

Leaf characteristics and carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C) of Adenocaulon bicolor were examined in the understory of a redwood forest along a gradient of microsites that differed in the amount of direct (sunfleck) photon flux density. Comparisons were made between plants that had been shaded from sunflecks with shadow bands but still received diffuse light, and adjacent plants that received both sunflecks and diffuse light. The δ¹³C of the shaded plants were 1.2‰ lower than predicted from the intercellular CO₂ pressure (p_i), probably because of recycling of respired CO₂ in the understory. Plants receiving sunflecks had higher δ¹³C values because assimilation during sunflecks occurred at a lower p_i than assimilation in diffuse light. The amount that their δ¹³C was higher was positively correlated with predicted direct photon flux density received by a plant. Leaf weight per unit area increased with increasing PFD. Although plants receiving sunflecks had greater leaf weights per unit area and photosynthetic capacities than those under shadow bands, there was no apparent acclimation of photosynthetic capacity to the differences in PFD among the microsites.