Relationship between net photosynthetic rate and leaf life span of six submerged plants in experimental ponds

Abstract

Net photosynthetic rate and leaf life span were measured in six submerged plants, Potamogeton crispus L., P. malaianus Miq., Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray, Hydrilla verticillata (L. f.) Royle, Egeria densa Planch., and Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) St. John, growing in a nutrient-rich experimental pond. A negative correlation between net photosynthetic rate and leaf life span is observed among submerged and floating-leaved plant species as well as for trees among diverse terrestrial ecosystems. Differences in net photosynthetic rate and leaf life span of the submerged plants should be related to differences in the light condition of habitats and life history strategy.