A test of ecophysiological theories on tropical forest functional traits along a VPD gradient.

ABSTRACT: Forest primary production is a crucial process for both ecosystem functioning and global carbon cycling. Primary production responds to both temperature and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) through separate mechanisms. Vegetation models need to quantify both responses. However, due to their often high correlations, most observational data sets used to test models or theories hardly distinguish them. Here we evaluate ecophysiological theories on the effect of VPD using tree trait data collected along a VPD gradient in West Africa. Study sites spanned an annual rainfall range of 1200-2050 mm, with varying seasonality but minimal temperature variation. Most photosynthetic traits show trends consistent with predictions from optimality theory, including higher net CO2 assimilation rates and greate

SUBMITTER: Zhang-Zheng H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12241516 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature