Ecofisiologia de espécies arbóreas no dossel e sub-bosque de uma floresta ombrófila densa na Amazônia central em ano de el niño

Abstract

The reduction of water availability in severe drought conditions, e.g. El Niño, can influence the photosynthesis of tree species in the canopy and understory of tropical forests through changes in steps associated with the assimilation of CO2 (e.g. diffusive and photochemical step). However, it is also known that changes in the availability of irradiance along the vertical profile of rainforests can lead to tree species develop different mechanisms of harvesting and use of this resource. Were investigated in trees species of canopy and understory of a Central Amazonian rain forest the seasonality effects in an El Niño year over photosynthetic leaf traits (Chapter 1) and, the mechanisms of irradiance harvesting and use which allowing complementarity in use of this resource in canopy and understory (Chapter 2). In the chapter 1 were investigated photosynthetic leaf traits related to gas exchange (PNmax - light saturated photosynthesis; gs - stomatal conductance; E - leaf transpiration e Rd - leaf dark respiration), leaf chlorophyll concentration, photochemical performance (Fv/Fm - maximal quantum yield of photosystem II; PIABS - performance index, PItotal - total performance index) and leaf contents of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, during four seasonal precipitation periods, wet (April), wet/dry transition (July), dry (September) and dry/wet transition (November) in the 57 plants belonging to 52 tree species in the forest canopy and understory environments. PNmax reduced during the dry season due to a strong stomatal limitation. The maintenance of photochemical performance and chlorophyll concentration may have favored the PNmax recuperation during the rainfall events in dry/wet transition season. With respect to leaf nutrients contents, the phosphorus was more related to photosynthesis, while higher potassium accumulation was observed in the understory during the dry season. In the chapter 2, the canopy and understory tree species were compared with respect to mechanisms of irradiance harvesting and use. Therefore, were investigated morphoanatomical (LMA – leaf mass area, leaf tissue thickness) and functional leaf traits (leaf chloroplastid pigments, phosphorus and nitrogen content, chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters and gas exchange). Higher photosynthesis values were related with higher leaf mass area, palisade thickness, leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content and photochemical performance in electron transport steps associated with photosystem I. In the other hand, in the understory a higher chloroplastid pigment concentration, chlorophyll nitrogen partition and maximal quantum efficiency for primary photochemistry improve the irradiance harvesting. These traits together with a reduced leaf dark respiration, provided low light compensation point. In summary, the chapter 1 highlights the dry season photosynthesis reduction primarily provided by stomatal conductance limitation and the maintenance of photosynthetic apparatus even in severe dry conditions. The chapter 2 provides evidence for concluding that tree species in the canopy efficiently use the high available irradiance, while in the understory the irradiance harvesting efficiently and reduced leaf dark respiration ensure the positive carbon budget maintenance.