Integrative Processes

Abstract

In the previous chapters we have been discussing primarily how individual resources — light, water, CO₂, mineral nutrients — are used and how plants can optimize such uses. New dimensions are added when we consider how plants must sense and resolve conflicting demands for acquiring two or more distinct resources. While Chapter 1 treated functional balance in acquiring both nitrogen and light (or CO₂), and Chapter 4 did likewise for light and water, many topics remain untouched. Balance becomes much more complex when acquisition of one resource such as water has short-term/long-term tradeoffs that differ notably from those in acquisition of another resource such as light. Consider a C₄ grass emerging after a C₃ cover has become established in a drought-prone region. Light is more available to the C₄ grass late in the season, while water is more available earlier.