Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Altitudinal variation in stomatal conductance, nitrogen content and leaf anatomy in different plant life forms in New Zealand

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Oecologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

This study is part of a series of investigations on the influence of altitude on structure and function of plant leaves. Unlike most other mountain areas, the Southern Alps of New Zealand provide localities where physiologically effective moisture stress occurs neither at high nor at low elevation, but the changes in temperature and radiation with elevation are similar or even steeper than in most other regions. In comparison with results from other mountains, where moisture may impair plant functioning at low elevation, this study allows an estimation of the relative role of water for the expression of various leaf features typically associated with alpine plants. Maximum leaf diffusive conductance (g), leaf nitrogen content (LN), stomatal density (n) and distribution, as well as area (A), thickness (d) and specific area (SLA) of leaves were studied. Three different plant life forms were investigated over their full altitudinal range (m): trees, represented by Nothofagus menziesii (1,200 m), ericaceous dwarf shrubs (1,700 m), and herbaceous plants of the genus Ranunculus (2,500 m). In all three life forms g, LN, and n increased, while SLA and A decreased with elevation. Recent investigations have found similar trends in other mountains from the temperate zone, but the changes are larger in New Zealand than elsewhere. Herbs show the greatest differences, followed by shrubs and then trees.

It is concluded that g is dependent upon light climate rather than water supply, whereas SLA and related structural features appear to be controlled by the temperature regime, as they show similar altitudinal changes under different light and moisture gradients. The higher leaf nitrogen content found at high elevations in all three life forms, suggests that metabolic activity of mature leaves is not restricted by low nitrogen supply at high altitude. In general, the leaves of herbaceous plants show more pronounced structural and functional changes with altitude than the leaves of shrubs and trees.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allan HH (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington, New Zealand

    Google Scholar 

  • Benecke U, Havranek WM (1980) Gas-exchange of trees at altitudes up to timberline, Craigieburn Range, New Zealand. NZ Forest Serv Techn Paper 70:195–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Billings WD, Mooney HA (1968) The ecology of arctic and alpine plants. Biol Rev 43:481–529

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonnier G (1890) Cultures experimentales dans les hautes altitudes. Comptes Rendus des Seances de 1 Academie des Sciences, Paris, 110:363–365

    Google Scholar 

  • Cernusca A (1976) Bestandesstruktur, Bioklima und Energiehaushalt von alpinen Zwergstrauchbeständen. Oecol Plant 11:71–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Chabot BF, Billings WD (1972) Origins and ecology of the sierran alpine flora and vegetation. Ecol Monogr 42:164–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapin III FS (1980) The mineral nutrition of wild plants. Ann Rev Ecol Syst 11:233–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Comstock J, Ehleringer J (1984) Photosynthetic responses to slowly decreasing leaf water potentials in Encelia frutescens. Oecologia (Berlin) 61:241–248

    Google Scholar 

  • DeJong TM (1982) Leaf nitrogen content and CO2 assimilation capacity in peach. J Amer Soc Hort Sci 107:955–959

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrhardt F (1961) Untersuchungen über den Einfluss des Klimas auf die Stickstoffnachlieferung von Waldhumus in verschiedenen Höhenlagen der Tiroler Alpen. Forstwiss Zentralbl 80:193–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Field C (1983) Allocating leaf nitrogen for the maximization of carbon gain: leaf age as a control on the allocation program. Oecologia (Berlin) 56:341–347

    Google Scholar 

  • Field C, Mooney HA (1983) Leaf age and seasonal effects on light, water, and nitrogen use efficiency in a California shrub. Oecologia (Berlin) 56:348–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Field C, Merino J, Mooney HA (1983) Compromises between water-use efficiency and nitrogen-use efficiency in five species of California evergreens. Oecologia (Berlin) 60:384–389

    Google Scholar 

  • Fliri F (1975) Das Klima der Alpen im Raume von Tirol. Univ Verlat Wagner, Innsbruck-München, pp 176–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Franz H (1979) Ökologie der Hochgebirge. Ulmer, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Gates DM, Hiesey WM, Milner HW, Nobs MA (1964) Temperatures of Mimulus leaves in natural environments and in a controlled chamber. Ann Rep Director Carnegie Inst Wash, YB 63:418–426

    Google Scholar 

  • Greer DH (1978) Comparative ecophysiology of some snow tussock (Chionochloa spp) populations in Otago. PhD theses, Dunedin, New Zealand

  • Greer DH (1984) Seasonal changes in photosynthetic activity of snow tussocks (Chionochloa spp.) along an altitudinal gradient in Otago, New Zealand. Oecologia (Berlin) 63:271–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Grubb PJ (1977) Control of forest growth and distribution on wet tropical mountains: with special reference to mineral nutrition. Ann Rev Ecol Syst 8:83–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Haselwandter K, Hofmann A, Holzmann HP, Read DJ (1983) Availability of nitrogen and phosphorus in the nival zone of the alps. Oecologia (Berlin) 57:266–269

    Google Scholar 

  • Heine K (1978) Höhenstufung von Zentral-Otago (Neuseeland) — geoökologischer Überlick. In: Troll C, Lauer W (eds) Erdwiss Forschung 11, geoökologische Beziehungen zwischen der temperierten Zone der Südhalbkugel und den Tropengebirgen. Steiner, Wiesbaden, pp 537–560

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan MA, Tsunoda S (1970) Leaf photosynthesis and transpiration under different levels of air flow rate and light intensity in cultivated wheat species and its wild relatives. Japan J Breeding 20:305–314

    Google Scholar 

  • Körner Ch (1982) CO2 exchange in the alpine sedge Carex curvula as influenced by canopy structure, light and temperature. Oecologia (Berlin) 53:98–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Körner Ch, Bannister P (1985) Stomatal responses to humidity in Nothofagus menziesii. NZ J Bot 23:425–429

    Google Scholar 

  • Körner Ch, Cernusca A (1976) A semi-automatic, recording diffusion porometer and its performance under alpine field conditions. Photosynthetica 10:172–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Körner Ch, Cochrane PM (1983) Influence of plant physiognomy on leaf temperature on clear midsummer days in the Snowy Mountains, south-eastern Australia. Acta Ocecologia-Oecol Plant 4:117–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Körner Ch, Cochrane PM (1985) Stomatal responses and water relations of Eucalyptus pauciflora in summer along an elevational gradient. Oecologia (Berlin) 66:443–455

    Google Scholar 

  • Körner Ch, Mayr R (1981) Stomatal behaviour in alpine plant communities between 600 and 2,600 metres above sea level. In: Grace J, Ford ED, Jarvis PG (eds) Plants and their atmospheric environment. Blackwell, Oxford-London-Edinburgh, pp 205–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Körner Ch, Scheel JA, Bauer H (1979) Maximum leaf diffusive conductance in vascular plants. Photosynthetica 13:45–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Körner Ch, Allison A, Hilscher H (1983) Altitudinal variation in leaf diffusive conductance and leaf anatomy in heliophytes of montane New Guinea and their interrelation with microclimate. Flora 174:91–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Larcher W (1977) Ergebnisser des IBP-Projekts “Zwergstrauchheide Patscherkofel”. Sitzungsber Österr Akad Wiss, Mathemnaturwiss Kl, Abt I 186:301–371

    Google Scholar 

  • Larcher W (1983) Ökophysiologische Konstitutionseigenschaften von Gebirgspflanzen. Ber Dt Bot Ges 96:73–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Mark AF (1965) Central Otago: Vegetation and Mountain climate. In: Central Otago, NZ Geograph Soc, Miscell Ser 5:69–91

  • Mark AF (1975) Photosynthesis and dark respiration in three alpine snow tussocks (Chionochloa spp.) under controlled environments. New Zealand J Bot 13:93–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Mark AF, Adams NM (1979) New Zealand alpine plants (revised ed). Reed, Wellington

    Google Scholar 

  • Mark AF, Sanderson FR (1962) The altitudinal gradient in forest composition, structure and regeneration in the Hollyford Valley, Fjordland. Proc NZ Ecol Soc 9:17–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Masters MA (1978) Ecological aspects of energy capture and utilization in four arctic and alpine rosette species of Saxifraga. Ph D theses, Duke Univ

  • McCracken IJ (1980) Mountain climate in the Craigieburn Range New Zealand. NZ Forest Service Tech Paper 70:41–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Medina E (1984) Nutrient balance and physiological processes at the leaf level. In: Medina E, Mooney HA, Vazquez-Yanes C (eds) Physiology of plants of the wet tropics. Proc Int Symp Mexico 1983, Junk Publ, The Hague Boston Lancaster, pp 139–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney HA (1983) Carbon-gaining capacity and allocation patterns of mediterranean-climate plants. In: Kruger FJ, Mitchell DT, Jarvis JUM (eds) Mediterranean-type ecosystems. Springer, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, pp 103–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney HA, Johnson AW (1965) Comparative physiological ecology of arctic and alpine populations of Thalictrum alpinum L. Ecology 46:721–727

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney HA, Ferrar PJ, Slatyer RO (1978) Photosynthetic capacity and carbon allocation patterns in diverse growth forms of Eucalyptus. Oecologia (Berlin) 36:103–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Mott KA, Gibson AC, O'Leary JW (1982) The adaptive significance of amphistomatic leaves. Plant Cell Env 5:455–460

    Google Scholar 

  • Nachuzrisvili G, Körner Ch (1982) Aspects of water relations of subalpine plants in the Central Caucasus (russ). Dokladi Akademia Nauk SSSR 267:243–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Nobel PS (1980) Leaf anatomy and water use efficiency. In: Turner NC, Kramer PJ (eds) Adaptation of plants to water and high temperature stress. Wiley & Sons, NY, pp 43–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordmeyer AH (1980) Tree nutrient concentrations near timberline, Craigieburn Range, New Zealand. In: Benecke U, Davis MR (eds) Mountain environments and subalpine tree growth. NZ Forest Service Tech Paper 70:83–94

  • Osmond CB (1983) Interactions between irradiance, nitrogen nutrition, and water stress in the sun-shade responses of Solanum dulcamara. Oecologia (Berlin) 57:316–321

    Google Scholar 

  • Rehder H, Schäfer A (1978) Nutrient turnover studies in alpine ecosystems. IV Communities of the central Alps and comparative survey. Oecologia (Berlin) 34:309–327

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheel JA (1979) Die Variabilität des minimalen und maximalen Blattdiffusionswiderstandes. PhD Theses, University Innsbruck

  • Schulze E-D (1980) Photosynthetic production and water relations in different plant-forms as related to altitudinal gradients. In: Benecke U, Davis MR (eds) Mountain environments and subalpine tree growth. N Z Forest Service, Tech Paper 70:213–229

  • Schulze E-D, Hall AE (1982) Stomatal responses, water loss and CO2 assimilation rates of plants in contrasting environments. In: Lange OL, Nobel PS, Osmond CB, Ziegler H (eds) Ecycl Plant Physiol, New Ser, 12B, Physiol Plant Ecol II, Springer, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, pp 181–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith WK, Geller GN (1979) Plant transpiration at high elevations: theory, field measurements, and comparisons with desert plants. Oecologia (Berlin) 41:109–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieszen LL (1978) Summary. In: Tieszen LL (ed) Vegetation and production ecology of an alaskan arctic tundra. Springer, New York, pp 621–645

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieszen LL, Senyimba MM, Imbamba SK, Troughton JH (1979) The distribution of C3 and C4 grasses and carbon isotope discrimination along an altitudinal and moisture gradient in Kenya. Oecologia (Berlin) 37:337–350

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner A (1892) Zur Kenntnis des Blattbaues der Alpenpflanzen und dessen biologischer Bedeutung. Sitzungsber math-naturw Kl Kais Akad Wiss Wien 101:487–547

    Google Scholar 

  • Wardlaw IF, Begg JE, Bagnall D, Dunstone RL (1983) Jojoba: temperature adaptions as expressed in growth and leaf function. Aust J Plant Physiol 10:299–312

    Google Scholar 

  • Wardle P (1974) Alpine timberlines. In: Ives JD, Barry RG (eds) Arctic and alpine environments. Methuen, London, pp 372–402

    Google Scholar 

  • Wielgolaski FE, Kjelvik S, Kallio P (1975) Mineral content of tundra and forest tundra plants in Fennoscandia. In: Wielgolaski FE (ed) Fennoscandian Tundra Ecosystems. 1. Plants and microorganisms. Ecol Stud 16, Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, pp 316–332

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong SC, Cowan IR, Farquhar GD (1979) Stomatal conductance correlates with photosynthetic capacity. Nature 282:424–426

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodward FI (1983) The significance of interspecific differences in specific leaf area to the growth of selected herbaceous species from different altitudes. New Phytologist 95:313–323

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshida S, Coronel V (1976) Nitrogen nutrition, leaf resistance, and leaf photosynthetic rate of the rice plant. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 22:207–211

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Botanik, Universität Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Ch. Körner

  2. Department of Botany, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    P. Bannister & A. F. Mark

Authors
  1. Ch. Körner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Bannister
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. F. Mark
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Körner, C., Bannister, P. & Mark, A.F. Altitudinal variation in stomatal conductance, nitrogen content and leaf anatomy in different plant life forms in New Zealand. Oecologia 69, 577–588 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410366

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410366

Keywords

Search

Navigation