What Is Respiratory Compensation?

Compensation point refers to the equilibrium point where plants' photosynthesis and respiration are equal. When the plant is at the compensation point, the organic matter produced by photosynthesis is just consumed by respiration, so there is no new organic matter for plant growth or animal consumption. The compensation point changes with changes in plant species, season, and age. Only when the light intensity or carbon dioxide concentration is higher than the compensation point can trees accumulate dry matter and ensure continuous growth. Compensation points can also be used to determine and compare the negative tolerance of tree species. The light compensation point of negative-tolerant species is lower than that of light-tolerant species. The carbon dioxide compensation point of low light breathing plants is lower than that of high light breathing plants. ^[1-2]

Compensation point refers to the equilibrium point where plants' photosynthesis and respiration are equal. When the plant is at the compensation point, the organic matter produced by photosynthesis is just consumed by respiration, so there is no new organic matter for plant growth or animal consumption. The compensation point changes with changes in plant species, season, and age. ^[2]

The compensation point refers to the light intensity when the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by photosynthesis and the amount of carbon dioxide released by respiration are equal. The carbon dioxide concentration at this time is called the carbon dioxide compensation point. Only when the light intensity or carbon dioxide concentration is higher than the compensation point can trees accumulate dry matter and ensure continuous growth. Compensation points can also be used to determine and compare the negative tolerance of tree species. The light compensation point of negative-tolerant species is lower than that of light-tolerant species. The carbon dioxide compensation point of low light breathing plants is lower than that of high light breathing plants. ^[1]

The compensation point is the light intensity (light intensity compensation point) or carbon dioxide concentration (carbon dioxide compensation point) when the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by photosynthesis and the amount of carbon dioxide released by respiration are equal. Plants do not accumulate dry matter at the point of compensation. Under normal growth conditions, the natural light intensity is often greater than the compensation point, so plants can increase dry weight. Plants accumulate dry matter only when light intensity or carbon dioxide concentration is above the compensation point. The light intensity compensation point of hi-yin plants is lower than that of Xiyang plants; the carbon dioxide compensation point of non-light-breathing plants is lower than that of light-breathing plants. ^[3]