Response of Cyperus papyrus productivity to changes in relative humidity, temperature and photosynthetically active radiation

Abstract

Ecosystem development is related to climatic conditions. To assess the effect of seasonal changes in climate factors on papyrus ecosystem development, community biomass was estimated non-destructively and climate factors recorded in the wetland. Absolute aerial biomass and productivity were not significantly different between wet and dry seasons. Although there was significant vapour pressure deficit change over the seasons, the impact on net primary productivity was not significant, but exhibited positive association during dry season. Primary productivity was positively related to photosynthetically active radiation during both dry and wet seasons. Except for the dry season that accounted for 26.1% of primary productivity, that of the wet season was independent (0%) of measured weather variables.    Key words: Cyperus papyrus, photosynthetically active radiation, productivity, relative humidity, temperature, wetlands.