Surviving the Extremes: Seasonal Dynamics of Photochemical Performance in Plants From Cold-Arid Himalayan Mountains
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F67985939%3A_____%2F25%3A00635566" target="_blank" >RIV/67985939:_____/25:00635566 - isvavai.cz</a>
Alternative codes found
RIV/60076658:12310/25:43909776 RIV/00216208:11310/25:10505223
Result on the web
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.70269" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.70269</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ppl.70269" target="_blank" >10.1111/ppl.70269</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Surviving the Extremes: Seasonal Dynamics of Photochemical Performance in Plants From Cold-Arid Himalayan Mountains
Original language description
Plants in extreme environments face pronounced seasonal variations in abiotic conditions, influencing their growth and carbon gain. However, our understanding of how plants in cold-arid mountains sustain carbon assimilation during short growing seasons remains limited. Here, we investigate seasonal dynamics and interspecific variability in photochemical performance of 310 individuals, comprising 10 different dicotyledon plant species across 3100-5300 m in the NW Himalayas, spanning semi-deserts to subnival zones. From early June to late September, we measured Fv/Fm and Phi PSII, assessing Phi PSII relationships with leaf traits (N, P, C, C:N ratio, LMA, and LDMC) and environmental factors (temperature, soil moisture content, etc.). Our findings revealed that high-Himalayan plants maintained relatively stable photosynthetic performance (Fv/Fm = 0.7-0.85), indicating optimal function even under potential stress. Contrary to our hypothesis that Phi PSII peaks mid-season in alpine and subnival zones and early season in steppes and semi-deserts, it declined by 33% across species and habitats throughout the season. This decline was closely associated with nutrient depletion, leaf senescence, and energy-water limitations. Species exhibited distinct strategies, with some prioritising structural resilience over photosynthesis, while others optimised photochemical performance despite environmental constraints. Alpine and subnival plant performance was constrained more by soil moisture deficits and high temperatures than cold temperatures, while deep-rooted steppe and semi-desert plants were primarily constrained by high temperatures and evaporative forcing rather than soil moisture deficit. These results provide new insights into how Himalayan plants adapt to extreme environmental conditions, highlighting the crucial interplay between moisture and temperature in shaping their performance within cold-arid mountains.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10618 - Ecology
Result continuities
Project
<a href="/en/project/GA24-11954S" target="_blank" >GA24-11954S: Alpine plants under climate change: from adaptive strategies to ecosystem functioning</a><br>
Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Physiologia Plantarum
ISSN
0031-9317
e-ISSN
1399-3054
Volume of the periodical
177
Issue of the periodical within the volume
3
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
15
Pages from-to
e70269
UT code for WoS article
001490975000001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105005583938