Sensory photobiology and ecophysiology of plants - SenPEP

Research

Current topics

Direct effects of natural ultraviolet radiation on plants and indirect effects on other trophic levels

We have been studying for about 12 years the effects of UV-B and UV-A on the growth and secondary metabolism of forest trees. Initially we focused on direct effects and herbivory. Currently we are studying effects on leaf litter decomposition and soil fauna. We are also doing an assessment of the suitability of different action spectra for describing different responses measured outdoors in mature trees and tree seedlings. Initially we focused on simulating ozone depletion and enhancing UV with lamps. Lately we have been studying natural UV using filters to attenuate or remove it from daylight.

Light mediated plant-plant interactions: mechanisms, ecological implications and practical applications

P. Aphalo started doing research on this subject before arriving in Finland. This was the first research subject of the group and it has continued to be one of its focuses. There have been periods of more intense activity, and produced papers that had high impact on the ecophysiological and ecological research community. Currently one of its focuses is on applications of management of light quality in forest tree nursery conditions.

Interactions in stomatal function: the modulation of the light sensitivity of stomata by other environmental factors. Physiological bases and ecological role.

This is at the moment an idea in search of funding. It is a very current and interesting subject related to work that P. Aphalo did at the start of his career. New equipment has been acquired by our department that makes research along this line possible. It has important implications for understanding acclimation of plants to different growing conditions, and also for crop and tree breeding and management.

Our philosophy and method

Our research philosophy is to look at interactions in addition to effects of single variables. We mainly work with whole plants, either indoors or in the field. We do manipulative experiments. We are very careful about experimental design and statistics as a way of obtaining reliable data. Sometimes we develop simulation models to study the coherence and implications of the results we obtain from our experiments.