Investigation of some physiological and morphological changes in sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl. subsp. iberica) depending on the altitude

This study was carried out to determine the changes of some physiological and morphological properties of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl. subsp. iberica (Steven ex Bieb.) Krassiln.) along altitudinal gradients. In order to detect these changes depending on the altitude, the measurements were carried out in three areas at altitudes of 320 m, 717 m and 922 m that have similar characteristics in terms of environmental factors such as soil type, slope and aspect. The selected sun and shade leaves of sessile oaks that are present in the areas were evaluated separately. As a result of measurements, particularly gas exchanges of plants exhibit statistical differences along altitudinal gradients. The values that measured in full sun exposed leaves show that Pn, gs, Ci, Ci/Ca increase, VpdL decreases, E first decreases and then increases, Pn/E first increases and then decreases with the increase of altitude. It was determined that the area at 922 m shows significant differences in terms of these properties from the other two altitudes. The increase in Pn values ​​of the shadow leaves was not found sufficient statistically. In other gas exchange events, similar results were obtained like in the sun leaves. The variation of the leaf water potential values with the increase of altitude ​​were not statistically significant and it could not be determined significant differences between the areas. Area, width and length values in sun leaves showed significant differences depending on the elevational changes and 922 m area revealed significant differences from other areas. However, there were no significant differences in shade leaves statistically in terms of these characteristics. It was determined that in sun leaves dry weight, LDMC, chlorophyll content, % N, C, H values and in shadow leaves SLA, LMA, LDMC, % H values show significant differences due to changes in elevation. In terms of many investigated properties, mostly the area at 922 m was found to show strong differences from 320 m and 717 m areas.