Nitrogen content and respiration rate in leaves of the Wrangel Island plants

Abstract

Protein and total nitrogen contents and respiration rate (at 10°C) were estimated in 22 herbaceous species of Wrangel Island (lat. 71° N). Protein nitrogen content and respiration rate in leaves of these plants were found to exceed 1.3- and 2.4-fold the corresponding indices in the temperate zone plants at the same temperature. The relationship between the content of protein nitrogen and respiration in the Wrangel Island species was insignificant (r2 = 0.137), and the authors conclude that the protein content in the northern plants is not the factor determining the respiration rate in particular plant species. It follows that rather than depend on such indirect indices as nitrogen content, the models for carbon cycle in the North should employ direct respiration measurements at natural plant habitats.