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Carbon Isotope Fractionation and Plant Water-Use Efficiency

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Book cover Stable Isotopes in Ecological Research

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 68))

Abstract

In order for plants to grow, they must fix carbon. Carbon usually enters the leaves as carbon dioxide, diffusing through pores in the epidermis called stomata. Increased stomatal conductance, g, of leaves causes an increase in the partial pressure of CO2 inside the leaves, p i . This usually causes an increase in the rate of CO2 assimilation, A, but also allows a greater rate of transpirational water loss, E. Such an action by a plant is a gamble, because while it increases the likelihood of growth and reproductive success, it also increases the probability of desiccation and death (Cowan 1986).

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Authors
  1. G. D. Farquhar
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  2. K. T. Hubick
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  3. A. G. Condon
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  4. R. A. Richards
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, University of California, 90024, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    P. W. Rundel  & K. A. Nagy  & 

  2. Department of Biology, University of Utah, 84112, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    J. R. Ehleringer

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© 1989 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

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Farquhar, G.D., Hubick, K.T., Condon, A.G., Richards, R.A. (1989). Carbon Isotope Fractionation and Plant Water-Use Efficiency. In: Rundel, P.W., Ehleringer, J.R., Nagy, K.A. (eds) Stable Isotopes in Ecological Research. Ecological Studies, vol 68. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3498-2_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3498-2_2

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