Responses of hybrid poplar clones and red maple seedlings to ambient O 3 under differing light within a mixed hardwood forest

C. Wei, J. M. Skelly, S. P. Pennypacker, J. A. Ferdinand, J. E. Savage, R. E. Stevenson, D. D. Davis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

The responses of ramets of hybrid poplar (Populus spp.) (HP) clones NE388 and NE359, and seedlings of red maple (Acer rubrum, L.) to ambient ozone (O 3) were studied during May-September of 2000 and 2001 under natural forest conditions and differing natural sunlight exposures (sun, partial shade and full shade). Ambient O3 concentrations at the study site reached hourly peaks of 109 and 98 ppb in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Monthly 12-h average O3 concentrations ranged from 32.3 to 52.9 ppb. Weekly 12-h average photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) within the sun, partial shade and full shade plots ranged from 200 to 750, 50 to 180, and 25 to 75 μmol m-2 s-1, respectively. Ambient O3 exposure induced visible foliar symptoms on HP NE388 and NE359 in both growing seasons, with more severe injury observed on NE388 than on NE359. Slight foliar symptoms were observed on red maple seedlings during the 2001growing season. Percentage of total leaf area affected (%LAA) was positively correlated with cumulative O3 exposures. More severe foliar injury was observed on plants grown within the full shade and partial shade plots than those observed on plants grown within the sun plot. Lower light availability within the partial shade and full shade plots significantly decreased net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and stomatal conductance (gwv). The reductions in Pn were greater than reductions in gwv, which resulted in greater O3 uptake per unit Pn in plants grown within the partial shade and full shade plots. Greater O3 uptake per unit Pn was consistently associated with more severe visible foliar injury in all species and/or clones regardless of differences in shade tolerance. These studies suggest that plant physiological responses to O3 exposure are likely complicated due to multiple factors under natural forest conditions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)199-214
Number of pages16
JournalEnvironmental Pollution
Volume130
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2004

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Toxicology
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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