Functional dynamics of energy variables and their impacts on growth and population attributes of a woody perennial at arid wasteland

Abstract

Different forms of energy, such as radiation energy (photosnthtecially active radiation), thermal energy (factors that determine climate) and Gibbs free energy (chemical form of energy released by the catabolic processes of intermediary metabolism, retained within energy molecules such as ATP and NADPH, and then used either to build new tissue or to perform physiological work), and their availability affect the various aspects of species intrinsic as well extrinsic parameters. In the present investigation, various energy variables (latent heat, energy availability (PET), energy-water balance (AET) and net radiation), maintenance and construction respiration, net and gross primary productivity, growth and community attributes were quantified for a desert woody annual plant Corchorus depressus inhabiting different wastelands. The study was conducted in two consecutive years and the samplings were carried out during three distinct seasonal events, including rain (pulse), winter (inter-pulse) and summer (no-pulse event). Student’s t-test showed significant variation among the parameters quantified. Negative relationships of net primary production and gross primary production with heat index were established. Among the solar-energy variables, incoming solar radiation exhibited linear positive relationship with relative importance value of C. depressus, seed output, and a power positive relationship with percentage cover. Total respiration as well as construction cost also exhibited positive relationships with above traits of C. depressus. These results confirmed efficient energy-utilisation ability of this species that indirectly produces strong competence to other invading species, and such efficient species would be a suitable choice for wasteland management and rehabilitation.