Effect of Wind on the Relation of Leaf N, P Stoichiometry with Leaf Morphology in Quercus Species

Abstract

Leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry correlates closely to leaf morphology, which is strongly impacted by wind at multiple scales. However, it is not clear how leaf N, P stoichiometry and its relationship to leaf morphology changes with wind load. We determined the leaf N and P concentrations and leaf morphology-including specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dissection index (LDI)-for eight Quercus species under a simulated wind load for seven months. Leaf N and P concentrations increased significantly under these conditions for Quercus acutissima, Quercus rubra, Quercus texana, and Quercus palustris-which have elliptic leaves-due to their higher N, P requirements and a resultant leaf biomass decrease, which is a tolerance strategy for Quercus species under a wind load. Leaf N:P was relatively stable under wind for all species, which supports stoichiometric homeostasis. Leaf N concentrations showed a positive correlation to SLA, leaf N and P concentrations showed positive correlations to LDI under each wind treatment, and the slope of correlations was not affected by wind, which indicates synchronous variations between leaf stoichiometry and leaf morphology under wind. However, the intercept of correlations was affected by wind, and leaf N and P use efficiency decreased under the wind load, which suggests that the Quercus species changes from "fast investment-return" in the control to "slow investment-return" under windy conditions. These results will be valuable to understanding functional strategies for plants under varying wind loads, especially synchronous variations in leaf traits along a wind gradient.

Disentangling the Environmental Factors That Shape Genetic and Phenotypic Leaf Trait Variation in the Tree Qualea grandiflora Across the Brazilian Savanna

“…Populations in environments with higher wind speed had smaller LA, MM and LMR, and higher IMR. Our results are concordant with some studies that reported reductions in LA and SLA and an increase in leaf thickness as morphological responses of plants to higher wind speeds (Wu et al, 2016; Zhang et al, 2018). Moreover, strong winds can lead to shorter and thicker internodes, promoting more mechanical resistance against wind (Huber et al, 2014).…”

Linking soil phosphorus with forest litterfall resistance and resilience to cyclone disturbance: A pantropical meta‐analysis

“…Further, ecosystems that receive chronically low inputs of limiting nutrients like phosphorus generally have mechanisms and structures that increase nutrient recycling relative to the amount of nutrient input (DeAngelis et al, 1989). This can be reflected in phosphorus use differences (e.g., high leaf P retranslocation; Han et al, 2013), likely indicating a selection pressure toward efficient nutrient economics in low‐P sites (DeAngelis et al, 1989) and adaptations for wind resistance (Zhang et al, 2018). Plant traits that vary with soil P may include growth rate, tissue lifespan, wood density (Asner & Goldstein, 1997), and antiherbivore defense (Chapin, 1980; Coley et al, 1985; Grime, 1979).…”

Leaf Nitrogen and Phosphorus Stoichiometry of Cyclocarya paliurus across China

“…Patterns of leaf stoichiometry play a vital role in studying biological nutrient dynamics, biological symbiosis relationship, microbial nutrition, judgment of restrictive elements, consumer-driven nutrient cycle, and global C, N, P biogeochemical cycles [1][2][3][4][5]. The mechanisms of leaf stoichiometry in forests and their relationship to the environment conditions have attracted the attention of many scholars in recent years [6][7][8][9][10].…”