δC of organic matter transported from the leaves to the roots in Eucalyptus delegatensis: short-term variations and relation to respired CO.

Post-photosynthetic carbon isotope fractionation might alter the isotopic signal imprinted on organic matter (OM) during primary carbon fixation by Rubisco. To characterise the influence of post-photosynthetic processes, we investigated the effect of starch storage and remobilisation on the stable carbon isotope signature (δC) of different carbon pools in the Eucalyptus delegatensis R. T.

A comment on the quantitative significance of aerobic methane release by plants.

A recent study by Keppler et al. (2006; Nature 439, 187-191) demonstrated CH emission from living and dead plant tissues under aerobic conditions. This work included some calculations to extrapolate the findings from the laboratory to the global scale and led various commentators to question the value of planting trees as a greenhouse mitigation option.