The “Kluge-Lüttge Kammer”: A Preliminary Evaluation of an Enclosed, Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) Mesocosm that Allows Separation of Synchronized and Desynchronized Contributions of Plants to Whole System Gas Exchange

U. Rascher; E. G. Bobich; C. B. Osmond

doi:10.1055/s-2005-873008

Plant Biology, Table of Contents

Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2006; 8(1): 167-174
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-873008

Short Research Paper

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart KG · New York

The “Kluge-Lüttge Kammer”: A Preliminary Evaluation of an Enclosed, Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) Mesocosm that Allows Separation of Synchronized and Desynchronized Contributions of Plants to Whole System Gas Exchange

U. Rascher¹ ^, ² , E. G. Bobich¹ ^, ³ , C. B. Osmond¹ ^, ⁴

¹Biosphere 2 Laboratory, Columbia University, Oracle, AZ 85623, USA
²Institute of Chemistry and Dynamics of the Geosphere, ICG‐III, Phytosphere, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Stetternicher Forst, 52425 Jülich, Germany
³Present address: Biological Sciences Department, California State Polytechnic University, 3801 W Temple Ave, Pomona, CA 91768-4032, USA
⁴Present address: School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia

Abstract

Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is recognized as a photosynthetic adaptation of plants to arid habitats. This paper presents a proof-of-concept evaluation of partitioning net CO₂ exchanges for soil and plants in an arid, exclusively CAM mesocosm, with soil depth and succulent plant biomass approximating that of natural Sonoran Desert ecosystems. We present the first evidence that an enclosed CAM-dominated soil and plant community exposed to a substantial day/night temperature difference (30/20 °C), exhibits a diel gas exchange pattern consisting of four consecutive phases with a distinct nocturnal CO₂ uptake. These phases were modulated by plant assimilation and soil respiration processes. Day-time stomatal closure of the CAM cycle during phase III was used to eliminate aboveground photosynthetic assimilation and respiration and thereby to estimate belowground plant plus soil respiration. Rapid changes in temperature appeared to synchronize single plant gas exchange but individual plant gas exchange patterns were desynchronized at constant day/night temperatures (25 °C), masking the distinct mesocosm pattern. Overall, the mean carbon budget of this CAM model Sonoran Desert system was negative, releasing an average of 22.5 mmol CO₂ m^-2 d^-1. The capacity for nocturnal CO₂ assimilation in this exclusively CAM mesocosm was inadequate to recycle CO₂ released by plant and soil respiration.

Key words

Agave schottii - Opuntia engelmannii - gas exchange - Ferocactus wislizeni - mesocosm - Cylindropuntia versicolor - Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) - Carnegiea gigantea.

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U. Rascher

Institute of Chemistry and Dynamics of the Geosphere, ICG‐III, Phytosphere
Forschungszentrum Jülich

Stetternicher Forst

52425 Jülich

Germany

Email: u.rascher@fz-juelich.de

Editor: R. C. Leegood