The Role of Leaf Anatomy and Morphology in Determining Ozone Susceptibility in Cut-Leaf Coneflower
Dolan CL. 2011. The Role of Leaf Anatomy and Morphology in Determining Ozone Susceptibility in Cut-Leaf Coneflower. Appalachian State University
ABSTRACT: Tropospheric ozone is one of the most important air pollutants globally and has deleterious impacts on both animal and plant health. The phytotoxic effects of ozone result in foliar injury known as stipple, decreases in photosynthesis and can reduce yield. Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata var. digitata) is an ozone sensitive native wildflower growing within Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) where ozone pollution is often a problem. Individual coneflowers exhibit substantial variation in ozone sensitivity, yet the causes for this are not yet known. The purpose of my study was to evaluate whether differences in leaf anatomy and morphology between sensitive and tolerant individuals of coneflower were responsible for this variation in ozone susceptibility. I hypothesized that sensitive individuals would have thinner leaf and mesophyll layers, greater internal airspace, greater exposed cell surface, and thinner cell walls....
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Dolan, Chrisha
- Date of Issue
- 2011-08
- Publisher
- Appalachian State University
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- air pollution effects, anatomy, APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, cut-leaf coneflower, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, morphology, ozone, Purchase Knob, Rudbeckia laciniata var. digitata, SER, Southeast Region, thesis, vascular plants