Morpho-functional characteristics of Quercus ilex L. leaves of different age and their ecophysiological behaviour during different seasons

This paper deals with gas exchange measurements in relation to leaf age during different seasons in Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.). Leaves of different age respond differently to changing environmental conditions, and the important role played by the current leaves in the annual carbon gain of Holm oak is underlined. The analysis of photosyntetic performance could be useful to test and implement mathematical models which merge advances knowledges in the scaling-uo approach.