Coordination between leaf and stem traits related to leaf carbon gain and hydraulics across 32 drought-tolerant angiosperms

Abstract

We examined 15 traits in leaves and stems related to leaf C economy and water use for 32 co-existing angiosperms at ridge sites with shallow soil in the Bonin Islands. Across species, stem density was positively correlated to leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf lifespan (LLS), and total phenolics and condensed tannins per unit leaf N (N-based), and negatively correlated to leaf osmotic potential and saturated water content in leaves. LMA and LLS were negatively correlated to photosynthetic parameters, such as area-, mass-, and N-based assimilation rates. Although stem density and leaf osmotic potential were not associated with photosynthetic parameters, they were associated with some parameters of the leaf C economy, such as LMA and LLS. In the principal component (PCA) analysis, the first three axes accounted for 74.4% of total variation. Axis 1, which explained 41.8% of the total variation, was well associated with parameters for leaf C and N economy. Similarly, axis 2, which explained 22.3% of the total variation, was associated with parameters for water use. Axis 3, which explained 10.3% of the total variation, was associated with chemical defense within leaves. Axes 1 and 2 separated functional types relatively well, i.e., creeping trees, ruderal trees, other woody plants, C(3) shrubs and forbs, palms, and CAM plants, indicating that plant functional types were characterized by similar attributes of traits related to leaf C and N economy and water use. In addition, when the plot was extended by two unrelated traits, leaf mass-based assimilation rates and stem density, it also separated these functional types. These data indicate that differences in the functional types with contrasting plant strategies can be attributed to functional integration among leaf C economy, hydraulics, and leaf longevity, and that both leaf mass-based assimilation rates and stem density are key factors reflecting the different functions of plant species.

Geometrical similarity analysis of photosynthetic light response curves, light saturation and light use efficiency

“…P max has been regarded as a representative value of a leaf's potential carbon gain (cf. Mediavilla and Escudero 2003;Wright et al 2004;Kitajima et al 2005;Ishida et al 2008;He et al 2009;Hikosaka and Shigeno 2009;Karagatzides and Ellison 2009;Nagano et al 2009;Reich et al 2009;Santiago and Kim 2009;Sardans et al 2010). However, the mechanistic link between P max and time-integrated carbon gain remains unclear (Kruger and Volin 2006).…”

Foliar trait contrasts between African forest and savanna trees: genetic versus environmental effects

“…Studies which have reported significant variations (e.g. an unpublished study cited in work by Poorter et al (2009) and Ishida et al (2008)) also found that differences due to phylogeny were as large or larger than differences due to phenology.…”

Comparison of Wood Density and Water Content Between Dry Evergreen and Dry Deciduous Forest Trees in Central Cambodia

“…The traits of stem woody parts, namely wood density and water content, have a strong relationship with their functional traits, such as drought tolerance, crown architecture, growth rate, survival, and photosynthesis, especially in tropical forests (Bucci et al 2004, Hiromi et al 2012, Inoue et al 2015, Ishida et al 2008, Kenzo et al 2011, Markesteijn et al 2011, Martin et al 2013, Santiago et al 2004. For example, trees with low wood density exhibit a faster growth rate compared with trees of high wood density, whereas trees with high wood density usually have a high survival rate due to their stronger resistance to physical stress, pathogens, and pest attacks (Curran et al 2008, King et al 2005, 2006, Kitajima 1994.…”