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The effects of varying leaf temperature ( T1) on some ecophysiological characteristics of photosynthesis for Quercus liaotungensis Koiz. under ambient radiation stress around midday on clear summer days were investigated using an IRGA equipped with a temperature-controlled cuvette. Net photosynthetic rate ( PN) decreased as T1 increased from 30 to 35 °C as a result of stomatal closure, whereas non-stomatal limitation led to decreased PN in the T1 range of 35–45 °C. Decreased transpiration rate ( E) and stomatal conductance ( gs) at leaf temperatures above 30 °C were interpreted as a combined ‘feedward’ effect as a result of enhanced leaf-air vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and stomatal closure. Changes in E from T1 30 to 20 °C depended on VPD when gs was maintained constant. Water use efficiency (WUE) varied inversely with T1 by following a hyperbola. A decrease in intercellular CO2 concentration ( Ci) occurred as a result of stomatal closure and a relatively high carboxylation capacity, whereas inactivation of mesophyll carboxylation in combination with photorespiration might be associated with the observed increase in Ci in the T1 range of 40 to 45 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]