Ecophysiology of Sunfleck Utilization by Understory Plants

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This research will examine how sunflecks in forest understories affect the growth, reproduction and ecological performance of plants. The availability of light for photosynthesis limits plant growth in the understory and much of the light that is received comes in the form of brief periods of direct sunlight (sunflecks) that penetrate holes in the overstory canopy. Sunflecks and the larger sun "patches" created by tree or branch falls are ecologically important but little studied. These are highly variable both spatially and temporally because of differences in overstory canopy structure. Research in this proposal will examine how light of different frequencies and durations. influences growth performance. How plants acclimate to fluctuating light and the constraints to efficient utilization of this light will also be investigated. The research will be carried out primarily on a tropical forest understory herb, Alocasia macrorrhiza. Understory herbs are an important but poorly understood component of tropical forests. This work has several implications for forest management and agriculture. Regeneration of forests occurs through establishment of seedings in the understory or in gaps. An understanding of the environmental and physiological controls on the growth and ecology of these plants is therefore important for understanding how to manage and maintain these forests.