Quantitative Research On Spatial Temporal Dynamics Of Stomatal Patchiness On Vicia Faba

Stomatal patchiness, the heterogeneous distribution of stomatal movements on plant leaves, was discovered in leaves widely under various conditions. This spontaneous collective behavior was regarded to optimize CO2 uptake for photosynthesis while preventing excessive water loss. However, it is still controversial on the progress of this process especially the mechanism, partly because the scale it occurs is between which stomata are mostly studied, and partly due to the lack of effective analyzing methods. In this paper we provided a succinct but credible approach to detect and analyze this phenomenon spatial-temporally, which has sufficiently increased the research method and draw some conclusions as follows.We applied image processing, data extraction as well as data analysis to stomatal movement results from microscope experiments with the help of computer technology, especially the programming language:R-language. By adjusting and improving point pattern analysis method, non-linear squares model fitting method and cluster partitioning methods, we come up with a new S-function to divide spatial pattern into three types: regular, random or patchy by quantified computation with statistical significance, and what’s more, able to compare the patch scale and intense of stomatal patchiness between different treatment. We also get the temporal models of stomata movement and grouping them using hierarchical clustering and K-means clustering methods to study the different response under various treatments.In conclusion, sufficient evidences demonstrated that the dynamics including intensity and temporal models of stomatal patchiness are both condition and scale dependent, showing that stomata patchiness is the result of stomata movement with emergent collective behavior from stomata as a self-organized organization. By complementing existing procedures throughout observing and analyzing progresses, we hope this approach would be capable and helpful for further studies on stomatal patchiness and stomatal movement.