Acclimation of leaf respiration temperature responses across thermally contrasting biomes

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
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.
Michael Liddell
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-resolution R–T (10–70°C range) curves for: (a) 62 evergreen species measured in two contrasting seasons across several field sites/biomes; and (b) 21species (subset of those sampled in the field) grown in glasshouses at 20°C:15°C, 25°C:20°C and 30°C:25°C, day : night. In the field, across all sites/seasons, variations in R25(measured at 25°C) and the leaf T where R reached its maximum (Tmax) were explained by growth T (mean air-T of 30-d before measurement), solar irradiance and vapour pressure deficit, with growth T having the strongest influence. R25decreased and Tmax increased with rising growth T across all sites and seasons with the single exception of winter at the cool-temperate rainforest site where irradiance was low. The glasshouse study confirmed that R25and Tmax thermally acclimated. Collectively, the results suggest: (1) thermal acclimation of leaf R is common in most biomes; and (2) the high T threshold of respiration dynamically adjusts upward when plants are challenged with warmer and hotter climates.

Journal

New Phytologist

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Volume

229

ISBN/ISSN

1469-8137

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Issue

3

Pages Count

14

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Publisher

Cambridge University Press

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DOI

10.1111/nph.16929