Photosynthetic and gas exchange characteristics of dominant woody plants on a moisture gradient in an African savanna

Abstract

AbstractWe determined key photosynthetic gas exchange parameters, and their temperature dependence, in dominant woody plants at four savanna sites on a moisture gradient in Botswana, southern Africa. Leaf stable carbon and nitrogen (N) isotope and morphological measures were made concurrently. Sampling of these predominantly non‐N‐fixing species took place during an exceptional rainfall season, representing near‐optimum conditions for primary production at these sites. The mean specific leaf area and leaf size were positively related to mean annual rainfall (MAR); species with larger leaves of lower density were more abundant in wetter sites. Almost all species at all sites showed high net light‐saturated photosynthetic rates (Amax≫10 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1) due both to high CO2 carboxylation (Vc,max) and RubP‐regeneration capacity (Jmax). These high rates were associated with high values of leaf [N]. Across all sites, the temperature response of Amax showed no clear optimum, and a gradual drop from 25°C to 35°C, without notable temperature limitation at leaf temperatures in excess of 35°C. Dark respiration rate (Rday) across all species and sites increased exponentially with increasing leaf temperature. Species sampled at selected sites revealed a negative relationship between leaf δ13C (stable carbon isotope ratio) and MAR, suggesting higher leaf‐level water‐use efficiency at drier sites when integrated over the life of the leaf. At wetter sites, specific leaf [N] was lower and photosynthetic nitrogen‐use efficiency increased, a pattern reflected at the ecosystem level by less 15N enrichment of leaves at these sites. Taken together, the results suggest a switch from water‐use to nitrogen‐use efficiency constraints with increasing moisture availability. These constraints impact leaf form and function significantly, and may emerge at the ecosystem level in aspects of water and N cycling.