Environmental controls of carbon uptake in two woody species with contrasting distributions at the edge of cliffs

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Abstract
Thuja occidentalis L. and Acer saccharum Marsh. show mutually exclusive distribution patterns along forested cliff edges of the Niagara Escarpment; T. occidentalis occurs at the cliff edge and on the cliff face, whereas A. saccharum occurs with increasing frequency away from the cliff edge. To reveal the controls of such patterns, seasonal and diurnal courses of net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), and xylem water potential were measured in situ and related to fluctuations in light, temperature, and moisture. For each species, saplings growing in the cedar zone near the cliff edge were compared with saplings growing in the deciduous forest zone farther from the cliff edge on the plateau. The carbon uptake of both species was most often limited by light; limitation by temperature, atmospheric, or soil moisture was rare. Acer saccharum was slightly better adapted than T. occidentalis to growth at the low light levels in both zones because of a greater light-use efficiency. During severe drought, both species showed reductions in Pn and gs when growing near the cliff edge. In the deciduous forest, in contrast, Pn of T. occidentalis, but not A. saccharum, was significantly reduced, suggesting that A. saccharum may out complete T. occidentalis for water. In the spring and fall, T. occidentalis had higher P1n and gs in the deciduous forest than at the cliff edge. However, all differences in gas exchange rates between trees in the deciduous forest and at the cliff edge were small and relatively rare. During most of the growing season, Pn and gs differed little between saplings in the two zones. This suggests that the pattern of abundance is not controlled to a substantial degree by carbon gain at the sapling stage.