In consideration of their origin the adaptive strategies of the evergreen species of the Mediterranean maquis were analysed. Rosmarinus officinalis L., Erica arborea L., and Erica multiflora L. had the lowest net photosynthetic rate (PN) in the favourable period [7.8±0.6 μmol(CO2) m-2s-1, mean value], the highest PN decrease (on an average 86 % of the maximum) but the highest recovery capacity (>70 % of the maximum) at the first rainfall in September. Cistus incanus L. and Arbutus unedo L. had the highest PN during the favourable period [15.5±5.2 μmol(CO2) m-2s-1, mean value], 79 % decrease during drought, and a lower recovery capacity (on an average 54 %). Quercus ilex L., Phillyrea latifolia L., and Pistacia lentiscus L. had an intermediate PN in the favourable period [9.2±1.3 μmol(CO2) m-2s-1, mean value], a lower reduction during drought (on an average 63 %), and a range from 62 % (Q. ilex and P. latifolia) to 39 % (P. lentiscus) of recovery capacity. The Mediterranean species had higher decrease in PN and stomatal conductance during drought and a higher recovery capacity than the pre-Mediterranean species. Among the pre-Mediterranean species, P. latifoliahad the best adaptation to long drought periods also by its higher leaf mass per area (LMA) which lowered leaf temperature thus decreasing transpiration rate during drought. Moreover, its leaf longevity determined a more stable leaf biomass during the year. Among the Mediteranean species, R. officinalis was the best adapted species to short drought periods by its ability to rapidly recover. Nevertheless, R. officinalis had the lowest tolerance to high temperatures by its PN dropping below half its maximum value when leaf temperature was over 33.6°C. R. officinalismay be used as a bioindicator species of global change. and L. Gratani, L. Varone.
Morphological (dry mass, DM; surface area, LA; leaf mass per area, LMA), anatomical (leaf thickness, L), phenological (leaf life span, LL), and physiological (net photosynthetic rate, PN) leaf traits of the evergreen species co-occurring in the Mediterranean maquis developing at Castelporziano (Rome) were tested. The correlation analysis indicated that LMA variation was tightly associated with LL variations: Cistus incanus and Arbutus unedo had a short LL (4±1, summer leaves, and 11±1 months, respectively) and low LMA (153±19 g m-2) values, Quercus ilex, Phillyrea latifolia, and Pistacia lentiscus high LMA (204±7 g m-2) and long LL (22±3 months), Erica arborea, Erica multiflora, and Rosmarinus officinalis a short LL (9±2 months) and an either high (213±29 g m-2, R. officinalis and E. multiflora) or low (115±17 g m-2, E. arborea) LMA. LMA values were significantly (p≤0.05) correlated with PN (r≥0.68). In the tested species, LMA increased in response to the decrease of the total rainfall during the leaf expansion period. LMA variation was due to the unequal variation of DM and LA in the considered species. LMA is thus a good indicator of evergreen maquis species capability to respond to climate change, in particular to total rainfall decrease in the Mediterranean basin. and L. Gratani, L. Varone.
The relationship between net photosynthetic (PN) and leaf respiration (R) rates of Quercus ilex, Phillyrea latifolia, Myrtus communis, Arbutus unedo, and Cistus incanus was monitored in the period February 2006 to February 2007. The species investigated had low R and PN during winter, increasing from March to May, when mean air temperature reached 19.2 °C. During the favourable period, C. incanus and A. unedo had a higher mean PN (16.4±2.4 µmol m-2 s-1) than P. latifolia, Q. ilex, and M. communis (10.0±1.3 µmol m-2 s-1). The highest R (1.89±0.30 µmol m-2 s-1, mean of the species), associated to a significant PN decrease (62 % of the maximum, mean value of the species), was measured in July (mean R/PN ratio 0.447±0.091). Q10, indicating the respiration sensitivity to short-term temperature increase, was in the range 1.49 to 2.21. Global change might modify R/PN determining differences in dry matter accumulation among the species, and Q. ilex and P. latifolia might be the most favoured species by their ability to maintain sufficiently higher PN and lower R during stress periods. and L. Gratani, L. Varone, R. Catoni.