Increased levels of UV-B have been shown to alter growth, physiological processes, anatomical properties, and competitive relations in numerous crop and herbaceous plants. Relatively few studies have evaluated responses of woody perennials, especially trees, to greater levels of UV-B radiation.
Trees are long-lived and subject to the accumulated effects of environmental stress.
Conifers may be especially vulnerable to UV-B because foliage can be retained for up to 17 years. The focus of the research is on changes in leaf anatomy, photosynthesis, carbon allocation, and other biochemical processes. Results Early results indicate that all species being evaluated are sensitive to increased UV-B, but the degree of sensitivity varies by species. Radiotracer techniques are used to correlate how carbon moves from plant parts to protective UV-B absorbing compounds in leaves and to discover how damaged photosynthetic plant machinery repairs itself.