Increases in photosynthesis of leaves remaining after defoliation may result from shifts in leaf photosynthetic characteristics or from an improved light penetration in the canopy. However, few studies have tried to estimate the relative contribution of these factors to mitigating the negative effects of defoliation. We present a quantitative framework for such an analysis.
There. Easy peasy, Einstein.
2008. And crap like this is interesting. Not a surprise for those of us who selectively thin or defoliate. We aren't doing it for fun.