Leaf Phenology and Seasonal Variation of Photosynthesis of Invasive Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry) and Two Co-Occurring Native Understory Shrubs in a Northeastern United States Deciduous Forest

Cheng Yuan Xu; K L Griffin; W S F Schuster

doi:10.1007/s00442-007-0807-y

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Leaf Phenology and Seasonal Variation of Photosynthesis of Invasive Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry) and Two Co-Occurring Native Understory Shrubs in a Northeastern United States Deciduous Forest

Journal article

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Leaf Phenology and Seasonal Variation of Photosynthesis of Invasive Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry) and Two Co-Occurring Native Understory Shrubs in a Northeastern United States Deciduous Forest

Cheng Yuan Xu, K L Griffin and W S F Schuster

Oecologia, Vol.154(1), pp.11-21

2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-007-0807-y

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Abstract

Ecology

leaf longevity

phenology

photosynthetic acclimation

photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency

shade adaptation

Early leafing and extended leaf longevity can be important mechanisms for the invasion of the forest understory. We compared the leaf phenology and photosynthetic characteristics of Berberis thunbergii, an early leafing invasive shrub, and two co-occurring native species, evergreen Kalmia latifolia and late leafing Vaccinium corymbosum, throughout the 2004 growing season. Berberis thunbergii leafed out 1 month earlier than V. corymbosum and approximately 2 weeks prior to the overstory trees. The photosynthetic capacity [characterized by the maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco (V (cmax)) and the RuBP regeneration capacity mediated by the maximum electron transport rate (J (max))] of B. thunbergii was highest in the spring open canopy, and declined with canopy closure. The 2003 overwintering leaves of K. latifolia displayed high V (cmax) and J (max) in spring 2004. In new leaves of K. latifolia produced in 2004, the photosynthetic capacity gradually increased to a peak in mid-September, and reduced in late November. V. corymbosum, by contrast, maintained low V (cmax) and J (max) throughout the growing season. In B. thunbergii, light acclimation was mediated by adjustment in both leaf mass per unit area and leaf N on a mass basis, but this adjustment was weaker or absent in K. latifolia and V. corymbosum. These results indicated that B. thunbergii utilized high irradiance in the spring while K. latifolia took advantage of high irradiance in the fall and the following spring. By contrast, V. corymbosum generally did not experience a high irradiance environment and was adapted to the low irradiance understory. The apparent success of B. thunbergii therefore, appeared related to a high spring C subsidy and subsequent acclimation to varying irradiance through active N reallocation and leaf morphological modifications.

Details

Title: Leaf Phenology and Seasonal Variation of Photosynthesis of Invasive Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry) and Two Co-Occurring Native Understory Shrubs in a Northeastern United States Deciduous Forest
Authors: Cheng Yuan Xu (Author) - Columbia University, United States
K L Griffin (Author) - Columbia University, United States
W S F Schuster (Author) - Black Rock Forest Consortium, United States
Publication details: Oecologia, Vol.154(1), pp.11-21
Publisher: Springer
Date published: 2007
DOI: 10.1007/s00442-007-0807-y
ISSN: 0029-8549
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450279302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Ecology

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