Photosynthetica 2004, 42(3):371-376 | DOI: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046155.40940.0c

Leaf Physiological Traits and their Importance for Species Success in a Mediterranean Grassland

J.T. Tsialtas1, T.S. Pritsa2, D.S. Veresoglou1
1 Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Agriculture, Laboratory of Ecology & Environmental Protection (267), Greece
2 Laboratory of Biology of Horticultural Plants, Greece

We related leaf physiological traits of four grassland species (Poa pratensis, Lolium perenne, Festuca valida, and Taraxacum officinale), dominant in a Mediterranean grassland, to their origin and success at community level. From early May to mid-June 1999, four leaf samplings were done. Species originating from poor environments (P. pratensis, F. valida) had low carbon isotope discrimination (Δ), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf water and mineral contents, and net photosynthetic rate on mass basis (Pmass) but high chlorophyll content. The reverse traits were evident for the fast-growing species (L. perenne, T. officinale). Under the resource-limiting conditions (soil nitrogen and water) of the Mediterranean grassland, the physiological traits of P. pratensis and F. valida showed to be more adapted to these conditions leading to high species abundance and dominance.

Additional key words: carbon isotope discrimination; chlorophyll; leaf water content; nitrogen; photosynthesis; specific leaf area

Published: September 1, 2004  Show citation

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Tsialtas, J.T., Pritsa, T.S., & Veresoglou, D.S. (2004). Leaf Physiological Traits and their Importance for Species Success in a Mediterranean Grassland. Photosynthetica, 42(3), 371-376. doi: 10.1023/B:PHOT.0000046155.40940.0c
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