Trade-offs between petiole and lamina of different functional plants in Xiao Hinggan Mountains, China

Abstract

Aims At leaf level, trade-offs between petiole (supporting structure) and lamina (assimilation structure) are influenced by several factors. Here, we aim to provide insight into the growth features and life history strategies of plants by exploring the trade-offs between petiole and lamina traits for different functional plants in Northeast China. MethodsWe measured leaf traits in three life-form plants (tree, shrub, herb) of a broadleaved Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forest in Xiao Hinggan Mountains, China. The least significant difference method was used to compare the variation of leaf traits among the three life forms. Trade-offs between lamina and petiole traits were estimated by using standardized major axis method for the three groups, in terms of their life form, leaf type, and shade tolerance.Important findings Significant allometric scaling relationships were found between lamina traits and petiole dry mass in all life forms, leaf types and different shade tolerant tree species, with slopes significantly departing from 1.0. As petiole dry mass increased, the lamina fresh mass and lamina dry mass of trees increased more significant than shrubs and herbs, but tree petioles can support the smallest leaf area for a given petiole dry mass. The regression slope of lamina area-petiole dry mass for simple-leaved species was significantly greater than that of compound-leaved species, but the regression slope of lamina fresh mass-petiole dry mass was opposite, and