Light interception and canopy radiation balance of staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina)

Abstract

We measured interaction of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at a staghorn sumac ( Rhus typhina L.) canopy near Peterborough, Ontario, during summer 2006. Measurements included above-canopy and below-canopy incoming and reflected PAR fluxes and leaf area index (LAI). The ratio of down-welling PAR below the canopy to the flux incident at the top of the canopy (τ) and proportion of incident PAR absorbed by the canopy (fPAR), were calculated. While the canopy was leafless, the sumac stems absorb 10%–20% of incident PAR. LAI increased rapidly during the month of June, and correspondingly τ decreased rapidly while fPAR increased rapidly. Mean values of τ and fPAR at maximum LAI were 0.38±0.09 (SD) and 0.60 ±0.04, respectively. Neither variable showed a relationship with solar zenith angle. We present a simple idealized model of PAR interaction with sumac. Although only one stand was studied, we hypothesize that these results may be more widely applicable to other mature sumac stands.