Differential responses of alpine and non‐alpine Aquilegia species to increased ultraviolet‐B radiation
Abstract. Two species of columbines, Aquilegia caerulea (which lives in alpine environments) and A. canadensis (a lower-elevation species) responded to artifically increased levels of solar UV-B radiation by becoming significantly shorter and developing a significantly greater number of leaves. The degree of shortening was greater in A. canadensis, the non-alpine species, while the number of leaves increased faster in A. caerulea. Significant differences in gashandling and water-use physiological responses were noted, with UV-B treatment leading to decreased water-use efficiency in both species. Concentrations of flavonoids increased significantly in both species following light exposure, whereas alkaloids in A. caerulea appeared to be destroyed by UV-B. No significant changes occurred in β-carotene concentrations in either species.