Ontogenetic changes in leaf traits of tropical rainforest trees differing in juvenile light requirement.

ABSTRACT: Relationships between leaf traits and the gap dependence for regeneration, and ontogenetic changes therein, were investigated in juvenile and adult tropical rainforest tree species. The juveniles of the 17 species included in the study were grown in high light, similar to the exposed crowns of the adult trees. The traits were structural, biomechanical, chemical and photosynthetic. With increasing species gap dependence, leaf mass per area (LMA) decreased only slightly in juveniles and remained constant in adults, whereas punch strength together with tissue density decreased, and photosynthetic capacity and chlorophyll increased. Contrary to what has been mostly found in evergreen tropical rainforest, the trade-off between investment in longevity and in productivity was evident at an essent

SUBMITTER: Houter NC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3338326 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature