Life Sciences Commons^™

Seasonal Variation In The Maximum Rate Of Leaf Gas Exchange Of Canopy And Understory Trees In An Amazonian Semideciduous Forest, Kerrie M. Sendall, George L. Vourlitis, Francisco A. Lobo

Kerrie M Sendall

Leaf gas exchange, water potential, and specific leaf area of two tropical semi-deciduous tree species, Brosimum lactescens S. Moore and Tovomita schomburgkii Planch & Triana, were quantified to establish how these properties were affected by seasonal variations in rainfall and leaf canopy position. The study was conducted at a site near Sinop Mato Grosso, Brazil, which is located within the ecotone of savanna and tropical rain forest. Both species exhibited significant declines in leaf water potential (ΨL), specific leaf area, area- and mass-based light saturated photosynthesis and dark respiration, and maximum stomatal conductance during the dry-season, suggesting that leaf structural …