Comparison on photosynthetic characteristics between Pinus massoniana and Schima superba at the two different rehabilitation vegetation, Changting County, Fujian Province
Abstract:The seasonal variation and daily dynamics of photosynthesis of Pinus massoniana and Schima superba were compared at the two different ecological restoration stages in the soil erosion area, Changting County, Fujian Province. The results showed that the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of P. massoniana displayed variations in seasonal pattern with a peak in October at the initial restoration stage (plot Ⅰ) and two peaks at the subsequent restoration stage (plotⅡ), the higher one in April and the lower one in October. Moreover, the mean Pn in winter for P. massoniana was significantly lower in plotⅡ than in plot I (P<0.05), while it reversed in April (P<0.01), indicating higher cold tolerance of P. massoniana in plot II than in plot I. In addition, there was a similar seasonal dynamics of Pn for S. superba both in plot Ⅰ and plotⅡ, with a peak in July. However, the Pn in plot II was higher than in plot Ⅰ, which still remained high in October, implying that S. superba in plotⅡgrew better after ecological recovery. Based on the variations in stomata conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration and stomata limitation, it was suggested that the slow decrease of Pn after 8:00 a.m. in P. massoniana and S. superba in July and October was closely related to the stomata. This result indicated there was convergent adaptation between these two species under the extreme stress, i.e., limiting evaporation by stomata adjustment, which would lead to the decease in photosynthesis as well. This decrease mainly accounted for the slow growth for the both species in plot Ⅰ. The transpiration rate (Tr) and Pn of S. superba were higher than those of P. massoniana both in plot Ⅰ and plotⅡ, particularly in plotⅡ, suggesting that S. superba may be more competitive than P. massoniana during the ecological restoration.