生活污水排放对红树林植物生长的影响

经过 1a的实验结果表明 :生活污水的排放使红树林湿地系统的水体DO值下降 ,BOD5和CODMn值升高 ,TN、TP 增高。排污对红树林植物秋茄、桐花树、白骨壤的生长 (包括树高、茎径和生物量的年增长量以及年净生产力 )有促进作用 ,同时使秋茄、桐花树的年凋落物量增加而白骨壤的年凋落物量减少。表明红树植物对生活污水的适应能力较强 ,利用红树林湿地系统净化生活污水有一定可行性     

High autumn temperature delays spring bud burst in boreal trees, counterbalancing the effect of climatic warming

The effect of temperature during short-day (SD) dormancy induction was examined in three boreal tree species in a controlled environment. Saplings of Betula pendula Roth, B. pubescens Ehrh. and Alnus glutinosa (L.) Moench. were exposed to 5 weeks of 10-h SD induction at 9, 15 and 21 degrees C followed by chilling at 5 degrees C for 40, 70, 100 and 130 days and subsequent forcing at 15 degrees C in a 24-h photoperiod for 60 days. In all species and with all chilling periods, high temperature during SD dormancy induction significantly delayed bud burst during subsequent flushing at 15 degrees C. In A. glutinosa, high temperature during SD dormancy induction also significantly increased the chilling requirement for dormancy release. Field experiments at 60 degrees N with a range of latitudinal birch populations revealed a highly significant correlation between autumn temperature and days to bud burst in the subsequent spring. September temperature alone explained 20% of the variation between years in time of bud burst. In birch populations from 69 and 71 degrees N, which ceased growing and shed their leaves in August when the mean temperature was 15 degrees C, bud burst occurred later than expected compared with lower latitude populations (56 degrees N) in which dormancy induction took place more than 2 months later at a mean temperature of about 6 degrees C. It is concluded that this autumn temperature response may be important for counterbalancing the potentially adverse effects of higher winter temperatures on dormancy stability of boreal trees during climate warming.     

Characterizing the frost sensitivity of black spruce photosynthesis during cold acclimation

We used photosynthetic light response curves to measure and model the responses of two provenances of 3-year-old black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) seedlings to severe artificial frost treatments applied at 2-week intervals during cold acclimation. Black spruce seedlings responded to cold acclimation with long-term suppression of photosynthetic capacity (Amax) and apparent quantum-use efficiency (alpha'). Short-term reductions in both photosynthetic parameters following frost treatments were dependent on the extent of cold acclimation of the seedlings and the severity of the frost treatments. Large reductions in Amax in response to the frost treatments were observed in seedlings that had undergone little cold acclimation and these reductions were associated with an irreversible reduction in alpha'. Such seedlings recovered only partially during the subsequent 23 days, whereas seedlings in most other treatments showed complete recovery of Amax after 13 days. The impact of frost treatments on Amax and alpha' did not vary with seedling provenance. We propose an algorithm that predicts the combined effects of cold acclimation and severe freezing temperatures on the extent of the suppression of A(max) during autumn. The algorithm is based on (1) the maximum Amax observed during the growing season, (2) the accumulation of cold degree-days, based on a minimum nocturnal temperature < 5 degrees C, and (3) the severity of freezing temperatures during autumn. The parameters developed in the algorithm showed that cold acclimation of black spruce seedlings had a greater impact on the reduction of Amax in autumn than did the severe frost treatments. Mean Amax of seedlings subjected to artificial frosts showed a strong correlation with values predicted by the algorithm (r2 = 0.91).     

Dormancy release and chilling requirement of buds of latitudinal ecotypes of Betula pendula and B. pubescens

Bud burst and dormancy release of latitudinal ecotypes of Betula pendula Roth and B. pubescens Ehrh. from Denmark ( approximately 56 degrees N), mid-Norway ( approximately 64 degrees N) and northern Norway ( approximately 69 degrees N) were studied in controlled environments. Dormant seedlings were chilled at 0, 5 or 10 degrees C from October 4 onward and then, at monthly intervals from mid-November to February, batches of seedlings were held at 15 degrees C in an 8-h (SD) or 24-h (LD) photoperiod to permit flushing. A decline in days to bud burst occurred with increasing chilling time in all ecotypes. In November, after 44 chilling days, time to bud burst was least in plants chilled at 0 and 5 degrees C. The difference diminished with increasing chilling time, and in February, after 136 chilling days, bud burst was earliest in plants chilled at 10 degrees C. Long photoperiods during flushing significantly reduced thermal time after short chilling periods (44 and 74 days), but had no effect when the chilling requirement was fully met after 105 or more chilling days. No significant difference in these responses was found between the two species. In both species, chilling requirement decreased significantly with increasing latitude of origin. Bud burst was normal in seedlings overwintered at 12 degrees C, but was erratic and delayed in seedlings overwintered at 15 and especially at 21 degrees C, indicating that the critical overwintering temperature is between 12 and 15 degrees C. We conclude that there is little risk of a chilling deficit in birch under Scandinavian winter conditions even with a climatic warming of 7-8 degrees C. The likely effects of a climatic warming include earlier bud burst, a longer growing season and increased risk of spring frost injury, especially in high latitude ecotypes.     

漳江口红树林昆虫群落结构的研究

对漳江口红树林自然保护区白骨壤纯林和桐花树+秋茄混交林的昆虫群落结构进行调查,结果表明漳江口红树林昆虫种类有12目、72科、88种,主要优势类群有膜翅目、鳞翅目、同翅目和鞘翅目;除少数种类外,多数优势种群对不同的红树植物具有高度选择性;桐花树+秋茄混交林的昆虫群落的丰富度明显高于白骨壤纯林。     

遮荫下2种热带树苗叶片光合特性和抗氧化酶系统对自然降温的响应

选取 2种遮荫条件下 (8%、2 5 %全光照 )西双版纳地区热带雨林上层树种滇南红厚壳和中层树种玉蕊的幼苗 ,测定了雨季末自然降温过程中 2种植物叶片光合特性、抗氧化酶 (SOD、CAT、APX)活性、丙二醛 (MDA)含量的变化。研究结果表明 :低温使 2种植物单位面积叶绿素含量和净光合速率明显下降 ,生长在中等光强下的幼苗比低光强下的幼苗下降的比率大 ,滇南红厚壳比玉蕊下降的比率大。在降温初期 ,即从 10月到 12月初 ,2种光强下 2种植物SOD和APX活性上升 ,CAT活性出现波动 ,黎明光化学效率和MDA含量基本没有变化 ,光合机构没有受到氧化破坏。 12月末 ,中等光强下滇南红厚壳黎明光化学效率降低 ,SOD和APX活性有所下降 ,MDA含量显著上升 ;而低光强下的滇南红厚壳和 2种光强下玉蕊SOD和APX活性仍在上升 ,MDA含量变化较小。这表明 ,2种光强下 2种热带树苗是以不同的方式响应自然降温 ,低温对中等光强下的植物比低光强下的影响大 ,上层树种滇南红厚壳受到的影响比中层树种玉蕊大。同时 ,根据降温过程中抗氧化酶活性和MDA含量的变化 ,大致可将西双版纳热带雨林幼苗对低温的响应分为 2个阶段 ,即第 1阶段为低温适应阶段 ,抗氧化酶活性上升 ,光合机构没有受到明显的氧化破坏 ;第 2阶段 ,中等光强下滇南红厚壳抗氧化酶     

Coordination between water-transport efficiency and photosynthetic capacity in canopy tree species at different growth irradiances

Plasticity in hydraulic architecture of five dominant Atlantic forest species differing in light requirements and growth rates was evaluated in saplings grown at different irradiances to determine if hydraulic architecture changes in coordination with photosynthetic capacity. Saplings were grown in shade-houses at 10, 30, 45 and 65% of full solar irradiance for 4 months. In four of the five species, maximum relative growth rates were observed at intermediate irradiances (30 and 40% of full sun). Slow-growing species had lower maximum electron transport rates (ETR(max)) than fast-growing species. A positive correlation between ETR(max) and maximum leaf hydraulic conductivity (K(L)) was found across species, suggesting that species-specific stem hydraulic capacity and photosynthetic capacity were linked. Species with relatively high growth rates, such as Cedrela fissilis Vell., Patagonula americana L. and Cordia trichotoma (Vell.) Arrab. Ex Stend, exhibited increased K(L) and specific hydraulic conductivity (K(S)) with increased growth irradiance. In contrast, K(S) and K(L) did not vary with irradiance in the slower-growing and more shade-tolerant species Balfourodendron riedelianum (Engl.) Engl. and Lonchocarpus leucanthus Burkart, despite a relatively large irradiance-induced variation in ETR(max). A correlation between K(S) and ETR(max) was observed in fast-growing species in different light regimes, suggesting that they are capable of plastic changes in hydraulic architecture and increased water-transport efficiency in response to changes in light availability resulting from the creation of canopy gaps, which makes them more competitive in gaps and open habitats.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence and CO(2) assimilation of black spruce seedlings following frost in different temperature and light conditions

Effects of artificial frosts on light-saturated photosynthesis (A(max)) and ground, maximal and variable fluorescence variables (F(o), F(m), and F(v) and F(v)/F(m)) were monitored on 1-year-old foliage of black spruce seedlings (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) grown at high (25 degrees C), moderate (15 degrees C) and low (5 degrees C) temperatures and moderate (240 &mgr;mol m(-2) s(-1)) and low (80 &mgr;mol m(-2) s(-1)) irradiances. Photoinhibition of 1-year-old foliage was greater in seedlings grown in moderate light than in seedlings grown in low light. Photoinhibition increased with decreasing growth chamber temperature at both irradiances. Most changes in F(v)/F(m) were caused by changes in F(v). Exposure to -4 degrees C decreased both F(v)/F(m) and A(max) compared with control values. The effect of the -4 degrees C frost treatment was greater in seedlings grown in low light than in seedlings grown in moderate light, probably because seedlings grown in moderate light were already partially photoinhibited before the frost treatment. Following -4 degrees C treatment, neither F(v)/F(m) nor A(max) recovered in seedlings grown in low light. Light-saturated photosynthesis decreased with decreasing growth chamber temperature. Light-saturated photosynthesis was more sensitive to the -3 and -4 degrees C frost treatments in seedlings grown at 25 degrees C than in seedlings grown at 15 and 5 degrees C. The A(max) of seedlings grown at 15 degrees C was sensitive only to the -4 degrees C frost treatment, whereas A(max) of seedlings grown at 5 degrees C was not sensitive to any of the frost treatments. Recovery of A(max) following frost took longer in seedlings grown at high temperatures than in seedlings grown at low temperatures. For seedlings grown at the same temperature but under different irradiances, both A(max) and F(v)/F(m) reflected damage to the photosynthetic system following a moderate frost. However, for seedlings grown at the same irradiance but different temperatures, A(max) provided a more sensitive indicator of frost damage to the photosynthetic system than F(v)/F(m) ratio.     

6种红树树种生长与叶片元素含量及化学计量特征

为探讨红树林树种生长与叶片元素含量特征，比较木榄（Bruguiera gymnorrhiza）、角果木 （Ceriops tagal）、正红树（Rhizophora apiculata）、红海榄（R. stylosa）、白骨壤（Avicennia marina）和桐 花树（Aegiceras corniculatum）6个树种成活率、生长量、叶片元素含量及化学计量。结果表明，栽植 120 d后，6种红树树种的成活率均在85%以上；苗高净生长量在2.60~10.32 cm之间，地径净生长量在 8.62~16.92 mm之间，以桐花树和正红树的生长较快。白骨壤的叶片N含量最高，角果木K含量较高，红海榄Ca含量较高；6种红树叶片N/P值均小于14，属于N制约型植物；叶片化学元素K/P、N/K、Ca/K、Ca/Mg和K/Mg的值存在一定程度的差异。PCA分析结果表明，6种红树树种均能较好地各聚为一类，每个树种对其生长量因子、叶片元素含量因子和化学计量因子响应不同。     

广西英罗港不同红树植物群落土壤理化性质与酶活性的研究

本文对广西英罗港自然保护区不同红树植物群落土壤主要性质进行了较系统的研究。结果表明 ,英罗港不同红树植物群落土壤理化性质和酶活性均存在明显差异 ,土壤粘粒粉粒含量和有机质、全氮、水解氮、全磷、速效磷及盐分含量为 :木榄群落 >红海榄群落 >秋茄群落 >桐花树群落 >白骨群落 ;土壤蔗糖酶、蛋白酶、脲酶、酸性磷酸酶 4种水解酶和过氧化氢酶的活性大小顺序为红海榄群落 >木榄群落 >秋茄群落 >桐花树群落 >白骨壤群落 ,多酚氧化酶则与此相反 ;土壤养分含量和土壤水解酶以及多酚氧化酶活性均随剖面深度而降低 ,过氧化氢酶则呈相反趋势。英罗港红树植物群落土壤酶活性与土壤肥力因素密切相关 ,各土壤酶活性之间也存在不同程度的相关性。因此 ,土壤酶活性可以作为该土壤肥力的指标之一。     

Moderate shade can increase net gas exchange and reduce photoinhibition in citrus leaves

Daily variations in net gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence and water relations of mature, sun-acclimated grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfady.) and orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) leaves were determined in tree canopies either shaded with 50% shade screens or left unshaded (sunlit). Mean daily maximum photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) under shade varied from 500 to 700 micromol m-2 s-1 and was sufficient to achieve maximum net CO2 assimilation rates (A CO2). Responses of grapefruit and orange leaves to shading were remarkably similar. At midday, on bright clear days, the temperatures of sunlit leaves were 2-6 degrees C above air temperature and 1-4 degrees C above the temperatures of shaded leaves. Although midday depressions of stomatal conductance (gs) and A CO2 were observed in both sunlit and shaded leaves, shaded leaves had lower leaf-to-air vapor pressure differences (D) along with higher gs, A CO2 and leaf water-use efficiency than sunlit leaves. Estimated stomatal limitation to A CO2 was generally less than 25% and did not differ between shaded and sunlit leaves. Leaf intercellular CO2 partial pressure was not altered by shade treatment and did not change substantially with increasing D. Radiation and high temperature stress-induced non-stomatal limitation to A CO2 in sunlit leaves was greater than 40%. Reversible photoinhibition of photosystem II efficiency was more pronounced in sunlit than in shaded leaves. Thus, non-stomatal factors play a major role in regulating A CO2 of citrus leaves during radiation and high temperature stress.     

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, nitrogen availability, temperature and the photosynthetic capacity of current-year Norway spruce shoots

Branches of field-grown Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) trees were exposed to either long-term ambient or to elevated CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) using the branch bag technique. The light-saturated photosynthetic rates (A(max)) of current-year shoots differing in nitrogen (N) status were measured at various temperatures and at either ambient (360 micromol mol(-1), AMB) or elevated (ambient + 350 micromol mol(-1), EL) [CO2]. The value of A(max) was determined at various intercellular [CO2]s (A/Ci curves) and used to normalize photosynthetic rates to the mean treatment C(i) values, which were 200 micromol mol(-1) (AMB) and 450 micromol mol(-1) (EL), respectively. Needle N status and temperature strongly affected A(max). The response to N increased with temperature, and the photosynthetic temperature optimum increased with N status. This was assumed to be a result of reduced mesophyll CO2 conductance. The relative increase of Amax in the EL treatment compared to the AMB treatment varied from 15 to 90%, and increased with temperature, but decreased with N status. Nevertheless, the absolute photosynthetic response to EL increased with shoot N status. The relative increase in the instantaneous response of A(max) to elevated [CO2] was about 20% higher than the long-term response, i.e., there was downward acclimation in Amax in response to elevated [CO2]. The photosynthetic temperature optimum increased 4 degrees C with either a short- or a long-term increase in [CO2]. The bag treatment itself increased A(max) by approximately 16% and the temperature optimum of A(max) by approximately 3 degrees C.     

Photosynthetic light response of flooded cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda) seedlings grown in two light regimes

Two-year-old cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda Raf.) seedlings raised in full or partial (27%) sunlight were flooded for 30 days to study the effects of light availability and root inundation on photosynthetic light response. Compared with seedlings receiving full sunlight, seedlings receiving partial sunlight developed leaves with 90% greater blade area, 26% less mass per unit volume, and 35% lower nitrogen (N) concentration per unit area, leading to a 15% reduction in leaf photosynthetic capacity when carbon exchange rates were based on blade area. However, when carbon exchange rates were based on leaf mass, leaves acclimated to partial sunlight exhibited a 15% greater photosynthetic capacity realized primarily through an increased initial slope of the photosynthetic light response (A/PPFD) curve and increased net photosynthesis at leaf saturation (Amax). Short-term flooding increased leaf mass per unit area more than 19%, reduced foliar N concentrations per unit dry mass by 19%, and initiated reductions in Amax and apparent quantum yield (phi) of seedlings in both light regimes. Greatest impairment of Amax (56% area basis, 65% mass basis) and phi (40%) were observed in leaves receiving full sunlight, and the declines were concomitant with a 35% decrease in chlorophyll concentration. Flooding also depressed instantaneous photosynthetic N-use efficiency (PPNUE) such that Amax decreased 54%, and the initial slope of PPNUE/PPFD curves decreased 33 and 50% for leaves acclimated to partial and full sunlight, respectively. The A/PPFD patterns indicated that the magnitude of flood-induced inhibition of the photosynthetic mechanism of cherrybark oak seedlings is determined partly by the light environment.     

Effect of Temperature on the Induction of Bud Dormancy in Ecotypes of Betula pubescens and Betula pendula

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of temperature applied during short day-induced budset on induction of dormancy in six ecotypes of Betula pubescens Ehrh. and two ecotypes of Betula pendula Roth. Seedlings were grown in a phytotron at constant temperatures of 9–21°C under a 12 h photoperiod (SD) during dormancy induction. Induction of dormancy was monitored by following bud flushing and shoot growth after transfer to long photoperiod conditions (24 h) at 18°C. Chilling requirement was studied in seedlings exposed to 10 weeks of SD. In both species induction of bud dormancy developed most rapidly at 15–18°C, and both 9–12°C and 21°C delayed the induction of dormancy. Raising the temperature (from 9 to 21°C) applied during induction of dormancy significantly increased the chilling requirement. These responses were noted for all ecotypes tested, but in general the northern ecotypes entered dormancy more quickly than the southern ones. No such trend was recorded for chilling requirement, although a B. pubescens ecotype from Iceland and another from the coast of northern Norway appeared to require a longer chilling treatment than the other ecotypes. In conclusion, induction and depth of bud dormancy in birch are significantly affected by temperature conditions and these effects may explain some of the annual variation in dormancy and chilling requirement observed in nature.     

广东省沿海红树林现状和发展

广东沿海红树林是沿海防护林体系的重要组成部分，它的管理和造林是生态环境建设的一个内容。对沿海红树林的调查表明：广东沿海红树林现存面积14670hm^2，其中湛江市红树林占总面积的84．8％；全省主要红树林植物有26科40种（其中真红树10种，半红树11种，伴生植物19种）。红树林主要树种有：秋茄、红海榄、木榄、桐花树、无瓣海桑、白骨壤、海漆、榄李、角果木、老鼠勒等。文中对广东红树林推广造林和恢复发展作了评价，为推进红树林建设提供科学依据。     

福建漳江口3种红树植物光合作用日变化特性研究

应用Li-6400XT便携式光合作用测定系统,首次对漳江口红树林天然群落中秋茄、白骨壤、桐花树在自然生境中夏季晴天的叶片净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Cond)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)生理因子的日变化进程及其相互关系,以及环境因子对净光合速率的影响等进行研究。结果表明:秋茄、桐花树叶片净光合速率(Pn)的日变化趋势相似,两者Pn的峰值出现在8∶00和14∶00,而白骨壤Pn的峰值出现在8∶00和16∶00,日均Pn大小为白骨壤>秋茄>桐花树;3种红树的蒸腾速率(Tr)日变化规律各不相同,秋茄和桐花树Tr值最高均出现在8∶00,白骨壤Tr值最高出现在10∶00,日均Tr大小为白骨壤>桐花树>秋茄;水分利用效率(WUE):秋茄和白骨壤16∶00时最高,而桐花树12∶00时最高,日均WUE大小为秋茄>白骨壤>桐花树;植物的Pn和Tr不仅受到环境因子的影响,同时还受到内在生理因子的调节。相关分析结果表明,对Pn和Tr影响最高的环境因子是光合有效辐射(PAR),生理因子则为气孔导度(Cond)。     

Long-term effects of elevated carbon dioxide concentration and provenance on four clones of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis). II. Photosynthetic capacity and nitrogen use efficiency

Four clones of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) from two provenances, at 53.2 degrees N (Skidegate a and Skidegate b) and at 41.3 degrees N (North Bend a and North Bend b), were grown for three growing seasons in ambient (~350 micromol per mol) and elevated (~700 micromol per mol) CO2 concentrations. The clones were grown in stress-free conditions (adequate nutrition and water) to assess the effect of elevated [CO2] on tree physiology. Growth in elevated [CO2] significantly increased instantaneous photosynthetic rates of the clonal Sitka spruce saplings by about 62%. Downward acclimation of photosynthesis (A) was found in all four clones grown in elevated [CO2]. Rubisco activity and total chlorophyll concentration were also significantly reduced in elevated [CO2]. Provenance did not influence photosynthetic capacity. Best-fit estimates of Jmax (maximum rate of electron transport), Vcmax (RuBP-saturated rate of Rubisco) and Amax (maximum rate of assimilation) were derived from responses of A to intercellular [CO2] by using the model of Farquhar et al. (1980). At any leaf N concentration, the photosynthetic parameters were reduced by growth in elevated [CO2]. However, the ratio between Jmax and Vcmax was unaffected by CO2 growth concentration, indicating a tight coordination in the allocation of N between thylakoid and soluble proteins. In elevated [CO2], the more southerly clones had a higher initial N use efficiency (more carbon assimilated per unit of leaf N) than the more northerly clones, so that they had more N available for those processes or organs that were most limiting to growth at a particular time. This may explain the initial higher growth stimulation by elevated [CO2] in the North Bend clones than in the Skidegate clones.     

Ecophysiological characteristics of Taiwan alder (Alnus formosana) seedlings adapted to the subtropical region

We investigated several ecophysiological characteristics of seedlings of a low-elevation (100-200 m) and a high-elevation (2000-2400 m) population of Taiwan alder (Alnus formosana Makino) from subtropical Taiwan. Both populations had a wide optimal temperature range for photosynthesis, and there was little difference in the optimal temperature range for photosynthesis between populations. Photosynthetic rate (P(N)) was near maximal from 20 to 35 degrees C when seedlings of both the low-elevation and the high-elevation populations were acclimated at a day/night temperature of 30/23 degrees C. When seedlings were acclimated at a day/night temperature of 20/10 degrees C, P(N) was near maximal over the range 15-35 degrees C in the low-elevation population and 15-30 degrees C in the high-elevation population. Compared with nine other tree species native to Taiwan, Taiwan alder had a high P(N) and stomatal conductance (g(s)) under well-watered conditions. Reflecting its higher transpiration rate, Taiwan alder had a significantly greater leaf-air temperature difference than camphor (Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl), a co-occurring lowland tree species with leaves similar in shape and size to those of Taiwan alder. Despite higher g(s), high root and shoot hydraulic conductances enabled Taiwan alder to maintain higher leaf water potentials than camphor under well-watered conditions. We conclude that both photosynthetic characteristics and water relations are important factors enabling Taiwan alder to adapt to a wide temperature range, thereby ensuring its success at both high and low elevations in subtropical Taiwan.     

红树林造林树种的选择——以洛阳江湿地为例

在红树林造林时,要充分考虑红树林的耐寒性、向海性和生态安全,根椐实际情况进行树种选择,同时应以混交林为宜,以减少病虫害,并考虑植物的形态、花期、花色差异进行美学搭配,提高其观赏价值。本研究以洛阳江湿地为例,根据红树林的耐寒性、耐盐性、向海性和保护区的生态安全性原则进行树种选择,认为洛阳江红树林的主要造林树种为桐花树、秋茄、白骨壤,引种树种为老鼠簕、木榄、红海榄等。     

Foliar temperature tolerance of temperate and tropical evergreen rain forest trees of Australia

Australian rain forests extend from tropical climates in the north to temperate climates in the south, providing an opportunity to investigate physiological responses to temperature of both temperate and tropical species within the same forest type. Eight, rain forest canopy tree species were selected to cover the 33 degrees latitudinal range of rain forests in eastern Australia. Temperature tolerance was measured in 6-year-old plants grown in a common environment, by exposing leaves to a series of high temperatures during late summer and a series of freezing temperatures during midwinter. Damage was evaluated based on chlorophyll fluorescence measurements made 2 h after exposure and by visual assessment of leaf damage made a week after exposure. Leaves of the tropical species were more heat tolerant and less frost tolerant than leaves of the temperate species, which is consistent with their climate distributions. In contrast, the temperature tolerance of the photosynthetic apparatus was unrelated to climate in a species' native habitat. However, the tropical species underwent significant photoinhibition during winter. All species maintained the integrity of the photosynthetic apparatus and avoided tissue damage over a similar span of temperatures (about 60 degrees C), reflecting the similar annual temperature ranges in Australia's temperate and tropical rain forests. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements and visual assessment of leaf damage provided different estimates of the absolute and relative temperature tolerances of the species, thus emphasizing the importance of a direct assessment of tissue damage for determining a species' temperature tolerance.