Leaf photosynthesis of three typical plant species affected by the subsidence cracks of coal mining: a case study in the semiarid region of Western China

Abstract

Increased attention has been paid to effects of coal mining subsidence on the growth of plants. Studying the changes of plants photosynthetic physiology under the disturbance of coal mining subsidence is the basis for understanding dynamic exchanges of plant energy and water at that mining area. The 52302 working face of the Shendong mining area was selected as the experimental site, with Artemisia ordosica, Caragana korshinskii, and Populus spp. as the research targets. Changes in leaf photosynthesis were monitored in plants at a subsidence crack area. We showed collapse cracks decreased soil moisture and caused drought stress. The photosynthetic capacity of leaves was reduced. Compared with plants from the control area, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, and transpiration rate were reduced in all three plant species. The activity of PSII reaction center and electron transport at the donor and acceptor sites significantly decreased.