Responses to heatwaves of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and antioxidants ascorbic acid and glutathione in congeneric pairs of Acacia and Eucalyptus species from relatively cooler and warmer climates

Abstract

Key message: Two species from warmer climates, but not the corresponding congeneric species from relatively cooler ones, decreased stomatal conductance upon heatwaves, and one of them showed significant decrease in the efficiency of open reaction centres of PSII in the light. In contrast, responses of major antioxidants ascorbic acid and glutathione to heatwaves were more similar between congeneric species than between species from similar climates. Abstract: According to climate change predictions, heatwaves will increase in frequency and intensity. This can threaten survival of sensitive tree species. Heatwaves affect photosynthetic capacity and cause an imbalance between light driven elec..