Carbon dioxide fixation in aerial roots of the New Zealand mangrove Avicennia marina var. resinifera (Note) |
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| Authors: | Frank I Dromgoole |
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| Institution: | Department of Botany , University of Auckland , Private Bag, Auckland, New Zealand |
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| Abstract: | The CO2 exchange characteristics and chlorophyll content of the pneumatophores of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. var. resinifera (Forst.) Bakh. were examined. The results indicate that, in addition to their primary role in ventilation of the buried roots, the aerial roots have the ability to fix exogenous CO2 via photosynthesis. Consequently, during the day these organs are almost auto trophic in terms of carbon balance. When corrected for the respiration of non‐chlorophyllous tissue, they show photosynthetic rates comparable to those of many other woody plants. |
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| Keywords: | mangrove Avicennia pneumatophores 2 fixation" target="_blank">CO2 fixation chlorophyll content |
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