Vein network redundancy and mechanical resistance mitigate gas exchange losses under simulated herbivory in desert plants.

ABSTRACT: Herbivory can impact gas exchange, but the causes of interspecific variation in response remain poorly understood. We aimed to determine (1) what effects does experimental herbivory damage to leaf midveins have on leaf gas exchange and, (2) whether changes in leaf gas exchange after damage was predicted by leaf mechanical or venation traits. We hypothesized that herbivory-driven impacts on leaf gas exchange would be mediated by (1a/1b) venation networks, either by more vein resistance, or possibly trading off with other structural defenses; (2a/2b) or more reticulation (resilience, providing more alternate flow pathways after damage) or less reticulation (sectoriality, preventing spread of reduced functionality after damage). We simulated herbivory by damaging the midveins of four leaves f

SUBMITTER: Duarte MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10029807 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature