Photosynthetic pathways in freshwater aquatic plants

Trends in Ecology and Evolution
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Abstract

Recent studies show that generalizations about photosynthetic pathways, derived from terrestrial plant studies, do not apply to aquatic plants. Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis is of selective value not only in arid environments, where it enhances water-use efficiency, but also in aquatic plants of oligotrophic waters, where it enhances competitive ability in carbon acquisition. C4 photosynthesis is present in many aquatic species, but in these species it is not coupled with the specialized anatomy of terrestrial C4 plants. The ratio of the stable carbon isotopes, 13C/12C, in the biomass of terrestrial plants is a marker of their photosynthetic pathway. In aquatic environments, additional resistances to carbon-isotope fractionation make this technique of limited use in detecting photosynthetic pathways.

Suggested Citation

Keeley, J., 1990, Photosynthetic pathways in freshwater aquatic plants: Trends in Ecology and Evolution, v. 5, no. 10, p. 330-333, https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-5347(90)90180-L.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Photosynthetic pathways in freshwater aquatic plants
Series title Trends in Ecology and Evolution
DOI 10.1016/0169-5347(90)90180-L
Volume 5
Issue 10
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Western Ecological Research Center
Description 4 p.
First page 330
Last page 333
Additional publication details