Publication Date:
2011-07-13
Description:
We thank Miglietta et al. (1) for their interest in our study (2). Their first and main point arises from the idea that plant transpiration (T) is driven by atmospheric demand, giving plants limited control over the water they lose. Miglietta et al. (1) add that stomatal density (D) will not change in response to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]), so future changes in T are unlikely. This idea neglects plant physiology and is not supported by recent observations (3). Maximal T is limited by maximal stomatal conductance (gsmax) with stomata fully open. When atmospheric demand exceeds a plant's water...
Keywords:
Letters
Print ISSN:
0027-8424
Electronic ISSN:
1091-6490
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
,
Natural Sciences in General
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