Enhancement of photosynthesis in post-disturbance resprouts of two co-occurring Mediterranean Erica species

The higher growth rates of resprouting shoots compared with those of mature plants in resprouter woody species are supported by higher rates of photosynthesis and transpiration. In this contribution we hypothesize that species with higher resprouting vigour will show a larger enhancement of photosynthesis in resprouting shoots. We test this hypothesis by comparing gas exchange and leaf parameters between resprouting and mature plants in Erica scoparia and E. australis. These two Erica species co-occur in Mediterranean heathlands of the Strait of Gibraltar. Erica scoparia has a higher rate of post-disturbance starch recovery than E. australis, which makes it more resistant to recurrent disturbance. We tested the hypothesis that enhancement of photosynthesis and water use characteristics of resprouting shoots compared with mature plants should be more pronounced in E. scoparia. In both species, resprouts had higher efficiency in the use of light and higher maximum net photosynthesis than mature shoots. However, contrary to expectations, differences in the photosynthetic performance between resprouts and mature plant shoots were larger in E. australis. Higher root to shoot ratios in resprouting E. australis plants, determined by their slower above-ground recovery, together with stronger demand from carbon sinks might explain this result.