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Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Nitrogen Isotope Values Indicate that Increased Relative Humidity from Fog Decreases Plant Water Use Efficiency in a Subtropical Montane Cloud Forest

Mosher, Stella G, M.S.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1430750042

Abstract Details

2015, MS, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Geology.
Fog is recognized as a highly important source of moisture in cloud forests, yet the degree to which increased relative humidity from fog versus soil moisture from canopy drip affect plant water use efficiency has not been investigated. The oceanic island of Tenerife, Canary Islands presents an ideal cloud forest biome to investigate how fog induced moisture affects plant water use efficiency. The high altitude of Tenerife’s peak, Mount Teide (3,718 m asl) combined with the orographic uplift of moisture-laden northeastern trade winds creates a humid cloud forest on the northern slope of the island. To evaluate the manner in which fog impacts water use efficiency for plants living in Tenerife’s subtropical montane cloud forest, I analyzed carbon isotope discrimination (Δleaf) and nitrogen isotope (δ15N) values in vegetation from Tenerife’s five diverse biomes (coastal scrub, thermophilous forest, cloud forest, pine forest, and subalpine scrub). These isotopes are strongly affected by water use efficiency and soil moisture respectively, which allows them to distinguish the degree to which fog-derived relative humidity versus soil moisture affect plant water use efficiency in cloud forests. Carbon discrimination values are highest in the cloud forest, reflecting a decrease in water use efficiency and poorly regulated stomatal conductance among plants in this biome. Nitrogen isotope values suggest that soil moisture does not substantially impact cloud forest vegetation. Therefore, increased relative humidity from fog is likely driving the high Δleaf values. An improved understanding of how stomatal conductance, and therefore water use efficiency, in cloud forest vegetation is affected by fog will provide insights on cloud forest microclimates and the environment that sustains them. The combination of Δleaf and δ15N values may provide a tool for observing changes in cloud forest vegetation over time and predicting the impacts of impending climate change on cloud forest biomes.
Brooke Crowley, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Yurena Yanes, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Aaron Diefendorf, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
48 p.
Biogeochemistry
Fog; Carbon isotope discrimination; Nitrogen isotopes; Tenerife; Water Use Efficiency; Cloud forests

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mosher, S. G. (2015). Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Nitrogen Isotope Values Indicate that Increased Relative Humidity from Fog Decreases Plant Water Use Efficiency in a Subtropical Montane Cloud Forest [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1430750042

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mosher, Stella. Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Nitrogen Isotope Values Indicate that Increased Relative Humidity from Fog Decreases Plant Water Use Efficiency in a Subtropical Montane Cloud Forest. 2015. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1430750042.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mosher, Stella. "Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Nitrogen Isotope Values Indicate that Increased Relative Humidity from Fog Decreases Plant Water Use Efficiency in a Subtropical Montane Cloud Forest." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1430750042

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1430750042
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.