Foliar and ecosystem respiration in an old-growth tropical rain forest

Molly A. Cavaleri; Steven F. Oberbauer; Michael G. Ryan

doi:10.1111/j.1365-3040.2008.01775.x

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Foliar and ecosystem respiration in an old-growth tropical rain forest

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Molly A. Cavaleri, Steven F. Oberbauer, Michael G. Ryan

Year:

2008

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3040.2008.01775.x

Source:

Plant, Cell and Environment. 31: 473-483.

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Abstract

Foliar respiration is a major component of ecosystem respiration, yet extrapolations are often uncertain in tropical forests because of indirect estimates of leaf area index (LAI).A portable tower was used to directly measure LAI and night-time foliar respiration from 52 vertical transects throughout an old-growth tropical rain forest in Costa Rica. In this study, we (1) explored the effects of structural, functional and environmental variables on foliar respiration; (2) extrapolated foliar respiration to the ecosystem; and (3) estimated ecosystem respiration. Foliar respiration temperature response was constant within plant functional group, and foliar morphology drove much of the within-canopy variability in respiration and foliar nutrients.

Keywords

autotrophic respiration, canopy structure, carbon balance, foliar N, foliar P, LMA, photosynthesis, plant functional group, Q10, tropical wet forest

Citation

Cavaleri, Molly A.; Oberbauer, Steven F.; Ryan, Michael G. 2008. Foliar and ecosystem respiration in an old-growth tropical rain forest. Plant, Cell and Environment. 31: 473-483.