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Research article2021Peer reviewedOpen access

Acclimation of leaf respiration temperature responses across thermally contrasting biomes

Zhu, Lingling; Bloomfield, Keith J.; Asao, Shinichi; Tjoelker, Mark G.; Egerton, John J. G.; Hayes, Lucy; Weerasinghe, Lasantha K.; Creek, Danielle; Griffin, Kevin L.; Hurry, Vaughan; Liddell, Michael; Meir, Patrick; Turnbull, Matthew H.; Atkin, Owen K.

Abstract

Short-term temperature response curves of leaf dark respiration (R-T) provide insights into a critical process that influences plant net carbon exchange. This includes how respiratory traits acclimate to sustained changes in the environment. Our study analysed 860 high-resolutionR-T(10-70 degrees C range) curves for: (a) 62 evergreen species measured in two contrasting seasons across several field sites/biomes; and (b) 21 species (subset of those sampled in the field) grown in glasshouses at 20 degrees C : 15 degrees C, 25 degrees C : 20 degrees C and 30 degrees C : 25 degrees C, day : night. In the field, across all sites/seasons, variations inR(25)(measured at 25 degrees C) and the leafTwhereRreached its maximum (T-max) were explained by growthT(mean air-Tof 30-d before measurement), solar irradiance and vapour pressure deficit, with growthThaving the strongest influence.R(25)decreased andT(max)increased with rising growthTacross all sites and seasons with the single exception of winter at the cool-temperate rainforest site where irradiance was low. The glasshouse study confirmed thatR(25)andT(max)thermally acclimated. Collectively, the results suggest: (1) thermal acclimation of leafRis common in most biomes; and (2) the highTthreshold of respiration dynamically adjusts upward when plants are challenged with warmer and hotter climates.

Keywords

climate change; metabolism; phenotypic plasticity; respiration modelling; thermal acclimation; thermal tolerance

Published in

New Phytologist
2021, Volume: 229, number: 3, pages: 1312-1325
Publisher: WILEY