Ecophisiological aspects in horticultural research

Peer Reviewe

Gδ-Embeddings in Hilbert space, II

AbstractIn this paper—which is a continuation of [10]—we exhibit some topological conditions on a Banach space which ensure that it contains isometric copies of infinite-dimensional conjugate spaces. This result is used to identify a large class of Banach spaces that are hereditarily separable duals. A method of defining a “Jamestree sum” of a countable number of Banach spaces is given. It is used to construct various counterexamples; for instance, there exists for each integer n a Banach space that can be mapped into Hilbert space via the composition of n but not (n − 1) Gδ-embeddings. We also continue the investigation of the global structure of some geometrically defined Banach spaces. For example, it is shown that a separable Banach space X with the Radon-Nikodym property (R.N.P.) has a subspace y with a boundedly complete finite-dimensional decomposition (F.D.D.) such that XY has an F.D.D. and the R.N.P

Thermodynamically stable noncomposite vortices in mesoscopic two-gap superconductors

In mesoscopic two-gap superconductors with sizes of the order of the coherence length noncomposite vortices are found to be thermodynamically stable in a large domain of the $T - H$ phase diagram. In these phases the vortex cores of one condensate are spatially separated from the other condensate ones, and their respective distributions can adopt distinct symmetries. The appearance of these vortex phases is caused by a non-negligible effect of the boundary of the sample on the superconducting order parameter and represents therefore a genuine mesoscopic effect. For low values of interband Josephson coupling vortex patterns with $L_1 \neq L_2$ can arise in addition to the phases with $L_1 =L_2$, where $L_1$ and $L_2$ are total vorticities in the two condensates. The calculations show that noncomposite vortices could be observed in thin mesoscopic samples of MgB$_{2}$.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Europhysics Letter

Theory of Spontaneous Polarization of Endohedral Fullerenes

A pseudo-Jahn-Teller model describing central atom distortions is proposed for endohedral fullerenes of the form A@C$_{60}$ where A is either a rare gas or a metal atom. A critical (dimensionless) coupling $g_c$ is found, below which the symmetric configuration is stable and above which inversion symmetry is broken. Vibronic parameters are given for selected endohedral fullerenes.Comment: 4 pages, REVTEX, 1 Postscript figure. [Phys. Rev. Lett. (in press)

Needle age-related and seasonal photosynthetic capacity variation is negligible for modelling yearly gas exchange of a sparse temperate Scots pine forest

In this study, we quantified the predictive accuracy loss involved with omitting photosynthetic capacity variation for a Scots pine (<i>Pinus sylvestris</i> L.) stand in Flanders, Belgium. Over the course of one phenological year, we measured the maximum carboxylation capacity at 25 &deg;C (<i>V</i>_m25), the maximum electron transport capacity at 25 &deg;C (<i>J</i>_m25), and the leaf area index (LAI) of different-aged needle cohorts in the upper and lower canopy. We used these measurements as input for a process-based multi-layer canopy model with the objective to quantify the difference in yearly gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) and canopy transpiration (<i>E</i>_can) simulated under scenarios in which the observed needle age-related and/or seasonal variation of <i>V</i>_m25 and <i>J</i>_m25 was omitted. We compared simulated GEP with estimations obtained from eddy covariance measurements. Additionally, we measured summer needle N content to investigate the relationship between photosynthetic capacity parameters and needle N content along different needle ages. <br><br> Results show that <i>V</i>_m25 and <i>J</i>_m25 were, respectively, 27% and 13% higher in current-year than in one-year old needles. A significant seasonality effect was found on <i>V</i>_m25, but not on <i>J</i>_m25. Summer needle N content was considerably lower in current-year than in one-year-old needles. As a result, the correlations between <i>V</i>_m25 and needle N content and <i>J</i>_m25 and needle N content were negative and non-significant, respectively. Some explanations for these unexpected correlations were brought forward. Yearly GEP was overestimated by the canopy model by &plusmn;15% under all scenarios. The inclusion and omission of the observed needle age-related <i>V</i>_m25 and <i>J</i>_m25 variation in the model simulations led to statistically significant but ecologically irrelevant differences in simulated yearly GEP and <i>E</i>_can. Omitting seasonal variation did not yield significant simulation differences. Our results indicate that intensive photosynthetic capacity measurements over the full growing season and separate simulation of needle age classes were no prerequisites for accurate simulations of yearly canopy gas exchange. This is true, at least, for the studied stand, which has a very sparse canopy and is exposed to high N deposition and, hence, is not fully representative for temperate Scots pine stands. Nevertheless, we believe well-parameterized process-based canopy models – as applied in this study – are a useful tool to quantify losses of predictive accuracy involved with canopy simplification in modelling

Exact zero-point energy shift in the e⊗(n E)e\otimes (n~E), t⊗(n H)t\otimes (n~H) many modes dynamic Jahn-Teller systems at strong coupling

We find the exact semiclassical (strong coupling) zero-point energy shifts applicable to the $e\otimes (n E)$ and $t\otimes (n H)$ dynamic Jahn-Teller problems, for an arbitrary number $n$ of discrete vibrational modes simultaneously coupled to one single electronic level. We also obtain an analytical formula for the frequency of the resulting normal modes, which has an attractive and apparently general Slater-Koster form. The limits of validity of this approach are assessed by comparison with O'Brien's previous effective-mode approach, and with accurate numerical diagonalizations. Numerical values obtained for $t\otimes (n H)$ with $n =8$ and coupling constants appropriate to C$_{60}^-$ are used for this purpose, and are discussed in the context of fullerene.Comment: 20 pages, 4 ps figure

Dynamical Jahn-Teller Effect and Berry Phase in Positively Charged Fullerene I. Basic Considerations

We study the Jahn-Teller effect of positive fullerene ions $^2$C$_{60}^{+}$ and $^1$C$_{60}^{2+}$. The aim is to discover if this case, in analogy with the negative ion, possesses a Berry phase or not, and what are the consequences on dynamical Jahn-Teller quantization. Working in the linear and spherical approximation, we find no Berry phase in $^1$C$_{60}^{2+}$, and presence/absence of Berry phase for coupling of one $L=2$ hole to an $L=4$/$L=2$ vibration. We study in particular the special equal-coupling case ($g_2=g_4$), which is reduced to the motion of a particle on a 5-dimensional sphere. In the icosahedral molecule, the final outcome assesses the presence/absence of a Berry phase of $\pi$ for the $h_u$ hole coupled to $G_g$/$H_h$ vibrations. Some qualitative consequences on ground-state symmetry, low-lying excitations, and electron emission from C$_{60}$ are spelled out.Comment: 31 pages (RevTeX), 3 Postscript figures (uuencoded

The carbon budget of terrestrial ecosystems at country-scale – a European case study

We summed estimates of the carbon balance of forests, grasslands, arable lands and peatlands to obtain country-specific estimates of the terrestrial carbon balance during the 1990s. Forests and grasslands were a net sink for carbon, whereas croplands were carbon sources in all European countries. Hence, countries dominated by arable lands tended to be losing carbon from their terrestrial ecosystems, whereas forest-dominated countries tended to be sequestering carbon. In some countries, draining and extraction of peatlands caused substantial reductions in the net carbon balance. Net terrestrial carbon balances were typically an order of magnitude smaller than the fossil fuel-related carbon emissions. Exceptions to this overall picture were countries where population density and industrialization are small. It is, however, of utmost importance to acknowledge that the typically small net carbon balance represents the small difference between two large but opposing fluxes: uptake by forests and grasslands and losses from arable lands and peatlands. This suggests that relatively small changes in either or both of these large component fluxes could induce large effects on the net total, indicating that mitigation schemes should not be discarded a priori. In the absence of carbon-oriented land management, the current net carbon uptake is bound to decline soon. Protecting it will require actions at three levels; a) maintaining the current sink activity of forests, b) altered agricultural management practices to reduce the emissions from arable soils or turn into carbon sinks and c) protecting current large reservoirs (wetlands and old forests), since carbon is lost more rapidly than sequestered

Atmospheric drivers of storage water use in Scots pine

International audienceIn this study we determined the microclimatic drivers of storage water use in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in a temperate climate. The storage water use was modeled using the ANAFORE model, integrating a dynamic water flow and ? storage model with a process-based transpiration model. The model was calibrated and validated with sap flow measurements for the growing season of 2000 (26 May?18 October). Because there was no severe soil drought during the study period, we were able to study atmospheric effects. Incoming radiation was the main driver of storage water use. The general trends of sap flow and storage water use are similar, and follow more or less the pattern of incoming radiation. Nevertheless, considerable differences in the day-to-day pattern of sap flow and storage water use were observed, mainly driven by vapour pressure deficit (VPD). During dry atmospheric conditions (high VPD) storage water use was reduced. This reduction was disproportionally higher than the reduction in measured sap flow. Our results suggest that the trees did not rely more on storage water during periods of atmospheric drought, without severe soil drought. A third important factor was the tree water deficit. When storage compartments were depleted beyond a threshold, storage water use was limited due to the low water potential in the storage compartments. The maximum relative contribution of storage water to daily transpiration was also constrained by an increasing tree water deficit