The Princeton Guide to Ecology

Plant physiological ecology addresses the physiological interactions of plants with the abiotic and biotic environment and the consequences for plant growth, distributions, and responses to changing conditions. Plants have three unique features that influence their physiological ecology: they are autotrophs (obtaining energy from the sun), they are sessile and unable to move, and they are modular, exhibiting indeterminate growth. Plant growth depends on acquisition of four critical resources: light, CO₂, mineral nutrients, and water. Light together with nitrogen-rich enzymes in the leaf drive photosynthetic assimilation of CO₂ into carbohydrates. Uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus, the elements most often limiting growth, is facilitated by symbiotic associations on plant roots with bacteria and fungi, respectively. Most water acquired by plants is lost in transpiration in exchange for CO₂ uptake through stomata. Water moves through a plant by cohesiontension, drawn upward as a result of evaporation from leaves. Excessive tension can lead to embolism, in which air bubbles enter the water column and block water transport. Within the plant, allocation of resources to alternative functions creates important trade-offs that critically influence plant responses and performance in contrasting environments. Physiological ecology plays a critical role in understanding the distributions of individual species and of major biomes at a global scale and is vital to understand the potential impacts of global climate change on vegetation and biodiversity.

acquisition. The processes of acquiring resources from the environment, such as photosynthesis in leaves and nutrient uptake by roots.

allocation. The partitioning of resources among alternative structures or functions within a plant. The principle of allocation states that resources used for one purpose will be unavailable for other purposes, creating trade-offs that strongly influence plant growth and life cycles.

conditions. Factors of the environment that influence an organism but cannot be consumed or competed for (e.g., temperature, pH).

embolism (or cavitation). The blockage of water transport by air bubbles in the xylem (water-transporting cells), causing reduced water transport and, potentially, plant death.

leaf energy balance. The balance of energy inputs and outputs that influence leaf temperature. Solar radiation is the most important input, and transpirational cooling and convective heat loss are the most important outputs.

photosynthetic pathway. Plants exhibit three alternative photosynthetic pathways (C3, C4, and CAM) that differ in underlying biochemical and physiological mechanisms, resulting in contrasting performance depending on temperature and the availability of light, water, and nutrients.

resources. Aspects of the environment that are consumed during growth and that plants compete for. The most important are light, water, nutrients, and space.

water and nutrient use efficiency. The efficiency of photosynthesis relative to investment of water or nutrients, respectively.

Physiological ecology examines how plants acquire and utilize resources, tolerate and adapt to abiotic conditions, and respond to changes in their environment. The study of physiological ecology considers plant physiology in relation to the physics and chemistry of the abiotic world on one hand, and a broad ecological and evolutionary context on the other. Plant physio

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