Photosynthetic utilization efficiency of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation by Scots pine and birch forest stands in the southern Taiga

Absorption and utilization of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were investigated in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and birch (Betula pendula Roth.) stands that were 41 years old at the end of the experimental period. Canopy depth of the Scots pine stand was about half that of the birch stand (6.5 versus 11.0 m), but absorption of PAR was similar in the two stands. The Scots pine forest canopy, with a leaf area index of 8.9, absorbed 90% of the incoming PAR (APAR), whereas the birch forest canopy, with a leaf area index of 5.9, absorbed 92% of APAR. During maximum foliage development, the upper Scots pine canopy absorbed more PAR than the upper birch canopy (75 versus 66%). The upper, middle and lower layers of the Scots pine canopy contained 37, 48 and 15% of the total needle surface area, respectively. The corresponding distribution of foliage surface area in the three layers of the birch canopy was 50, 30 and 20%, respectively. Measurements of photosynthetic rate were combined with estimates of leaf area index and stand phytomass to determine rates of primary production on a sunny day, a cloudy day, and on an annual basis. The energy equivalents of short- and long-term carbon gain were used with determinations of APAR to calculate photosynthetic utilization efficiency. Throughout the growing season, photosynthetic utilization efficiency of APAR in the upper canopy layer of the Scots pine forest was almost twice that in the lower canopy layer. In the birch forest, photosynthetic utilization efficiency was greater in the lower canopy layer than in the upper canopy layer. In all cases, utilization efficiency was higher in the birch stand than in the Scots pine stand (52 versus 29 J kJ(-1)). Taking account of respiration of the non-photosynthetic parts of each stand (night respiration of needles or leaves; respiration of branches, trunk and roots), estimated utilization efficiency of APAR for net primary production was 11 J kJ(-1) for Scots pine and 19 J kJ(-1) for birch. Solar conversion ratios, expressed as whole-plant net primary productivity per unit of APAR for the growing season, were 0.81 g MJ(-1) for Scots pine and 0.93 g MJ(-1) for birch.