The role of anthocyanins for photosynthesis of Alaskan arctic evergreens during snowmelt

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Abstract

The period during spring Snowmelt represents a challenging time for arctic tundra evergreens. As a result of relatively clear skies and increasing solar zeniths, radiation loads can be high, even under snow cover, while air and soil temperatures may be very low. Anthocyanin pigmentation is a prominent feature of most tundra evergreens during the spring melt. We suggest that these anthocyanins protect plants from photodamage at this critical period. The patterns of anthocyanin production and occurrence in tundra evergreen plants are compatible with light screening by these pigments. Anthocyanins are located in the outer palisade cells, consistent with protection of the photosynthetic tissues from radiation. Anthocyanin concentrations increase while plants remain under snow cover and attain their maximum shortly after Snowmelt in the spring, when radiation levels are highest but temperatures remain low. Photosynthetic activity is present under the snow in tundra evergreen plants, and is similar in pattern to anthocyanin concentrations, increases as depth of snow cover declines. Anthocyanin content declines once temperatures increase during the growing season, but increase again with the occurrence of fall frost at the end of the growing season. Variation in anthocynanin pigmentation is related to plant microsite (exposure to light) and leaf cohort; leaves with high nitrogen (exposed or young leaves) have higher anthocyanin concentrations. We believe this light screening strategy is an important aspect of the acquisition of carbon reserves for many tundra evergreen plants during the short growing season.

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