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Research article2019Peer reviewedOpen access

Catchment properties and the photosynthetic trait composition of freshwater plant communities

Iversen, L. L.; Winkel, A.; Baastrup-Spohr, L.; Hinke, A. B.; Alahuhta, J.; Baattrup-Pedersen, A.; Birk, S.; Brodersen, P.; Chambers, P. A.; Ecke, F.; Feldmann, T.; Gebler, D.; Heino, J.; Jespersen, T. S.; Moe, S. J.; Riis, T.; Sass, L.; Vestergaard, O.; Maberly, S. C.; Sand-Jensen, K.;
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Abstract

Unlike in land plants, photosynthesis in many aquatic plants relies on bicarbonate in addition to carbon dioxide (CO2) to compensate for the low diffusivity and potential depletion of CO2 in water. Concentrations of bicarbonate and CO2 vary greatly with catchment geology. In this study, we investigate whether there is a link between these concentrations and the frequency of freshwater plants possessing the bicarbonate use trait. We show, globally, that the frequency of plant species with this trait increases with bicarbonate concentration. Regionally, however, the frequency of bicarbonate use is reduced at sites where the CO2 concentration is substantially above the air equilibrium, consistent with this trait being an adaptation to carbon limitation. Future anthropogenic changes of bicarbonate and CO2 concentrations may alter the species compositions of freshwater plant communities.

Published in

Science
2019, Volume: 366, number: 6467, pages: 878-881
Publisher: AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE

    Sustainable Development Goals

    SDG14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Ecology

    Publication identifier

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aay5945

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/103227