Photosynthetic Characteristics of Leontopodium leontopodioides Growing at Different Altitudes

The photosynthetic characteristics of the leaves of Leontopodium leontopodioides growing at three different altitudes (2 300,2 700 and 3 800 m above sea level) in the northeastern part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were comparatively studied.As a result,it was consequently found that as the altitudes increased,the chlorophyll content tend to decline and the chlorophyll a/b ratio and the relative carotinoid content tended to rise.At 3 800 m above sea level,the photosynthetic rate,apparent quantum yield,light compensation point of Leontopodium leontopodioides were low and its light saturation point was high,compared with those at 2 300 above sea level.The study revealed that the changes of Leontopodium leontopodioides in its photosynthetic characteristics was a adaptive response to adverse environments as well as a consequence resulting from the stressful ecological conditions existing in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for ages.