Variation of δ13C of wood and foliage with canopy height differs between evergreen and deciduous species in a temperate forest

Abstract

We investigated post-photosynthetic fractionation and carbon transfer mechanisms of different plant functional types growing under the same climatic conditions in North-eastern China. The variations in δ13C of trunk and branches were compared with leaf δ13C at different canopy heights of Pinus koraiensis (evergreen coniferous species), Larix gmelinii (deciduous coniferous species) and Quercus mongolica (deciduous broad-leaved species). Results showed that δ13C of leaves increased (became more enriched) with increasing canopy height for both coniferous species (P. koraiensis, L. gmelinii) but not for Q. mongolica (a deciduous broad-leaved species). δ13C of both trunk and branches also increased with sampling height for the evergreen conifer P. koraiensis but did not significantly vary for either of the deciduous species (L. gmelinii or Q. mongolica), except a significant increase in branch δ13C for L. gmelinii. Similarly, δ13C of trunk and branches were strongly correlated with leaf δ13C only in the evergreen conifer, P. koraiensis. 13C was consistently more enriched in trunk, branches, and roots compared to leaves in all three species. Our findings suggest that, even under the same climatic conditions, different plant functional types may exhibit different carbon transfer mechanisms. This is contrary to the previous hypothesis that different carbon transfer mechanisms operate in forests of different climatic zones, especially in tropical and temperate forests. Particularly, the differences occur predominantly between evergreen and deciduous trees rather than between coniferous and broad-leaved trees. The significant difference in δ13C between leaves and wood tissues confirms a previous post-photosynthetic isotope fractionation in temperate forests.