Seasonal variation and trade-off between frost resistance and photosynthetic performance in woody species

Abstract

We tested the seasonal variability of frost resistance and photosynthesis characteristics, namely net photosynthetic rate at saturating irradiance and ambient atmospheric CO2 concentrations, maximum carboxylation rate, and measurements based on the JIP-test, namely maximum quantum yield of PSII and the performance index. Additionally, we measured leaf functional traits, namely specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, stomatal pore area index, and chlorophyll content. We assessed all traits weekly on two evergreen species Berberis vulgaris and Quercus × hispanica as well as the two summer green species Betula pendula and Quercus pubescens. We found that there was a high seasonal variability in all traits except stomatal pore area index. In a multivariate analysis, we could show trade-offs between growth rates and leaf thickness on the first axis, as well as resistance and performance on the second axis. The findings help understand ecophysiological processes and fine-tune biosphere models.