Recovery of metabolites via subnivean photosynthesis in Arctic tundra plants: Implications for climate change

Abstract Plants have evolved numerous strategies for surviving the harsh conditions of the Arctic. One strategy for Arctic evergreen and semi‐evergreen species is to photosynthesize beneath the snow during spring. However, the prevalence of this photosynthesis and how recent photosynthates are used...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecosphere
Main Authors: Nicholas Wright‐Osment, Christina Lynn Staudhammer, Steve Oberbauer, Behzad Mortazavi, Gregory Starr
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4936
https://doaj.org/article/e07117f278d249f4a38a61dfe7e595b4
Description
Summary:Abstract Plants have evolved numerous strategies for surviving the harsh conditions of the Arctic. One strategy for Arctic evergreen and semi‐evergreen species is to photosynthesize beneath the snow during spring. However, the prevalence of this photosynthesis and how recent photosynthates are used is still unknown. Here we ask, how is newly acquired carbon beneath the snow allocated? To answer this question, we delivered isotopically labeled 13CO2 to tussock tundra plants before snowmelt. Soluble sugars and starches were preferentially enriched with 13C in all five species tested, with lipids having comparatively low 13C enrichment. These results provide evidence of the recovery of metabolites used over the long winter. Additionally, these new soluble sugars may function in photoprotection and cold tolerance as plants release from snow cover. Climate change, by reducing the duration of subnivean photosynthesis of these species, will limit metabolite production before snowmelt, which may lead to a reduction in the ability of these species to compete effectively during the growing season, potentially leading to changes in community structure.