Canopy-top measurements do not accurately quantify canopy-scale leaf thermoregulation

Review Plant Sciences

Thermal sensitivity across forest vertical profiles: patterns, mechanisms, and ecological implications

Nidhi Vinod et al.

Summary: Rising temperatures affect forests at different scales, with significant vertical variation across forest strata. This study evaluates the vertical variation in microclimate, leaf temperatures, traits, and gas exchange in forests, and discusses the implications for tree and ecosystem ecology. Integrating these patterns and mechanisms into models is critical for predicting forest-climate feedback as the climate continues to change.

NEW PHYTOLOGIST (2023)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

No evidence of canopy-scale leaf thermoregulation to cool leaves below air temperature across a range of forest ecosystems

Christopher J. Still et al.

Summary: Understanding the relationship between leaf temperature and air temperature is crucial for predicting forest responses to climate warming. Previous hypotheses suggest that leaves should cool below air temperature at higher temperatures, but new research shows that canopy leaves are usually warmer than air. Future climate warming may lead to even higher canopy leaf temperatures, affecting forest carbon cycling and mortality risk.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (2022)

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Article Agronomy

Only sun-lit leaves of the uppermost canopy exceed both air temperature and photosynthetic thermal optima in a wet tropical forest

Benjamin D. Miller et al.

Summary: The study in a Puerto Rican tropical wet forest revealed that air temperature and vapor pressure deficit increased with height. Leaf temperature did not significantly differ across different heights, but the top canopy layer was significantly hotter than the rest of the foliage and air temperature. Sun-lit foliage and shaded foliage in tropical vegetation showed different thermoregulation strategies.

AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY (2021)

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Article Ecology