Age-class differences in shoot photosynthesis and water relations of Fraser fir (Abies fraseri), southern Appalachian Mountains, USA

Abstract

Fraser fir (Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir.) is an endemic tree species found only in refugial mountain-top forests in the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA. Very few studies have investigated the ecophysiology of this species in its natural environment. We measured and compared photosynthetic gas exchange and water relations of understory germinant seedlings 3 years old and ~0.15 to 1 m tall), and saplings (>10 years old and ~1 to 2 m tall) on a leaf-level basis. No significant differences in gas exchange were found among the age classes, although midday xylem water potentials were significantly different among the age classes. Differences in maximum photosynthesis (A_max) were

Citation

Reinhardt, Keith; Johnson, Daniel M.; Smith, William K. 2009. Age-class differences in shoot photosynthesis and water relations of Fraser fir (Abies fraseri), southern Appalachian Mountains, USA. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 39: 1-5\r\nDOI 10.1139/X08-163