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Stable Carbon Isotopes in Terrestrial Ecosystem Research

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Book cover Stable Isotopes in Ecological Research

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 68))

Abstract

It has been known for some time that terrestrial plants, the primary producers, possess δ13C values substantially lower (more negative, 13C-depleted) than that of ambient atmospheric CO2 (ca. -7.7%). This trend toward 13C depletion is characteristic of reduced organic carbon. The suggestion by Bender (1968) that there is a systematic relationship between the photosynthetic carbon reduction pathways (C3 and C4 systems) and δ13C values provided a predictive pattern for this naturally occurring variation. This, in association with substantial field verification of these broad fractionation patterns, made available a powerful research tool. This tool has now resulted in fundamental contributions to our understanding of ecology, especially in areas related to patterns, both qualitative and quantitative, of energy flow through trophic levels; in assessments of environmental and genetic control of plant distribution patterns; and in analyses of water-use efficiency.

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Authors
  1. L. L. Tieszen
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  2. T. W. Boutton
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, University of California, 90024, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    P. W. Rundel  & K. A. Nagy  & 

  2. Department of Biology, University of Utah, 84112, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    J. R. Ehleringer

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Tieszen, L.L., Boutton, T.W. (1989). Stable Carbon Isotopes in Terrestrial Ecosystem Research. In: Rundel, P.W., Ehleringer, J.R., Nagy, K.A. (eds) Stable Isotopes in Ecological Research. Ecological Studies, vol 68. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3498-2_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3498-2_11

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