Ambient ozone effects on the ecophysiology of sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · American Journal of Botany; (USA)

OSTI ID:6519646

Scherzer, A J; Boerner, R E.J. ^[1]

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1. Ohio State Univ., Columbus (USA)

Sugar maple is among the most widespread and abundant canopy tree species in eastern North America, and is increasing in abundance in the American midwest; yet recent surveys indicate it is declining throughout much of eastern Canada. A number of factors have been cited as causing or contributing to this decline, including both gaseous air pollutants and acidic deposition. The authors hypothesized that ozone has the potential to act as a predisposing factor for sugar maple decline by affecting net carbon gain, carbon allocation, and carbohydrate reserves, resulting in reduced growth and vigor of sugar maple trees. To test this, 1 yr old sugar maple seedlings were fumigated in open top chambers with charcoal-filtered (ozone free) air, ambient ozone, or ambient ozone {plus minus} 15%. Leaf area, biomass, root:shoot ratio, and instantaneous photosynthetic rate, all potential indicators of short term ozone damage, were not significantly affected by a five month exposure to these ozone levels. Ozone may reduce levels of carbohydrate storage in roots, or alter transport of photosynthate from leaves to root, thereby increasing overwintering mortality or reducing spring growth; results of experiments to test these hypotheses will be presented. The genotype of an individual may also affect its response to ozone, and the relative sensitivity of populations may vary among geographic sites. They will also present preliminary data related to geographic patterns of susceptibility to ozone among sugar maple populations.

• OSTI ID: 6519646
• Journal Information: American Journal of Botany; (USA), Journal Name: American Journal of Botany; (USA); ISSN 0002-9122; ISSN AJBOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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