Leaf Level Physiology, Chemistry and Structural Traits, Far North Queensland SuperSite, Robson Creek, 2012

Objectives: Set-up of AI curves, N, P and LMA values for dominant species. Establish the extent to which rates of respiration in the light change in response to associated traits and to climatic moisture in Robson Creek. Experimental design and methods: In August 2012, we surveyed AI curves and related leaf traits (area:mass ratios, and concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus) in 14 tropical species growing at the Robson Creek TERN site. Leaves were sampled from different trees ranging from 1 to 4 replicates per species from 9 species and 1-2 replicates per species from 5 species. Light response curves of leaf CO2 exchange were used to calculate rates of leaf respiration in the light (using the ‘Kok’ method).Objectives: Set-up of ACi curves, N, P and LMA values for dominant species. Establish the extent to which rates of light saturated photosynthesis, Vcmax and Jmax change in response to associated traits and to climatic moisture in Robson Creek. Experimental design and methods: In August 2012, we surveyed ACi curves and related leaf traits (area:mass ratios, and concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus) in 13 tropical species growing at the Robson Creek TERN site. Leaves were sampled from different trees ranging from 1 to 4 replicates per specie. Asat(light saturated photosynthesis), Amax (CO2 saturated photosynthesis), Ci (intercellular partial pressure of CO2) and Rlight(CO2 evolution from mitochondria in the light, other than that associated with the PCO cycle) were used to calculate rates of Vcmax (maximum velocity of the carboxylase) and Jmax (maximum rate of carboxylation allowed by the electron transport). Vcmax and Jmax were corrected for temperature.