Different leaf cost-benefit strategies of ferns distributed in contrasting light habitats of sub-tropical forests.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Ferns are abundant in sub-tropical forests in southern China, with some species being restricted to shaded understorey of natural forests, while others are widespread in disturbed, open habitats. To explain this distribution pattern, we hypothesize that ferns that occur in disturbed forests (FDF) have a different leaf cost-benefit strategy compared with ferns that occur in natural forests (FNF), with a quicker return on carbon investment in disturbed habitats compared with old-growth forests.

Methods

We chose 16 fern species from contrasting light habitats (eight FDF and eight FNF) and studied leaf functional traits, including leaf life span (LLS), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations (N and P), maximum net photosynthetic

SUBMITTER: Zhu SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4765538 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature