Understanding regulation of leaf internal carbon and water transport using online stable isotope techniques

Abstract

(Table presented.). Summary: The balance of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour exchange between leaves and the atmosphere is strongly controlled by stomatal conductance. However, the influence of transport processes within leaves has recently been gaining prominence. Stable isotope techniques are at the forefront of understanding transport within leaves and the recent development of online, real-time optical isotope analysers has paved the way for new questions to be asked. In this insight, I outline these new techniques and the questions they can potentially address, including assessing possible coordination between mesophyll conductance to CO2 and leaf hydraulic conductance.