Local Adaptation Drives Leaf Thermoregulation in Tropical Rainforest Trees.

ABSTRACT: Tropical forests play a critical role in biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and climate regulation, but are increasingly affected by heatwaves and droughts. Vulnerability to warming may vary within and between species because of phenotypic divergence. Leaf trait variation can affect leaf operating temperatures-a phenomenon termed 'limited homeothermy' when it helps avoid heat damage in warmer conditions. However, evidence for this capacity and the relative roles of acclimation or adaptation remain limited. We measured photosynthetic heat tolerance and leaf thermal traits of three co-occurring rainforest tree species across a thermal gradient in the Australian Wet Tropics. Using a leaf energy balance model parameterised with field-measured traits, we predicted variation in leaf-to-air temp

SUBMITTER: Middleby KB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12409605 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature