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Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol 50, 383-390, Copyright © 1999 by Oxford University Press

ARTICLES

Optimization theory of stomatal behaviour I. A critical evaluation of five methods of calculation

D Thomas, D Eamus and D Bell
School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, and School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Northern Territory University, Darwin, NT Australia, 9090; Corresponding author e-mail: dane.thomas@ntu.edu.au

There are two principal aims in this first manuscript, first, to compare five methods for calculating the marginal unit water cost of plant carbon gain (E/A) of leaves of two Australian tropical tree species, and second, to test the hypothesis that E/A of tropical tree leaves is constant when leaf-to-air vapour pressure difference (D) varies. Few differences in the absolute values of E/A or the form of the response were found between species. However differences did exist between methods of calculation. Importantly, E/A was rarely constant with changing D. Stomatal limitations of net photosynthesis caused by a reduction in internal carbon dioxide concentration as stomatal conductance declined caused E/A to increase when D was increased. Some methods are applicable to canopy scale field measurements whilst others could only be used in laboratory settings where sufficient control of the environment is possible. The best method of calculation of E/A varied according to the criteria used to judge best. However, overall, despite the large numbers of independent data sets required, Method 1 was judged best for calculating E/A for individual leaves as, although it relies on the largest number of independently derived relationships, it has the fewest assumptions. Methods 2 and 3 were applicable to the field when a number of simplifying assumptions were made.Key words: Stomatal optimization theory, marginal unit water cost.
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