Broadleaf and conifer tree responses to long-term enhanced UV-B radiation in outdoor experiments: a review

Abstract

Trees as a perennial growth form require time to evolve the complex response to enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B), and this might lead to slow but important changes in forest ecosystem structure and function. Long-term outdoor experiments on trees however are few in number. The available published results suggest that broadleaf and conifer trees may show different response strategies to enhanced UV-Bradiation. The long-term outdoor experiments indicate species- and season-specific differential responses in tree secondary metabolism, photosynthesis, water relations, and growth and development.

Keywords

• broadleaf tree
• conifer tree
• UV-B radiation
• long-term outdoor experiment