Leaf age dependent changes in within-canopy variation in leaf functional traits: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: Within-canopy variation in leaf structural and photosynthetic characteristics is a major means by which whole canopy photosynthesis is maximized at given total canopy nitrogen. As key acclimatory modifications, leaf nitrogen content (N A) and photosynthetic capacity (A A) per unit area increase with increasing light availability in the canopy and these increases are associated with increases in leaf dry mass per unit area (M A) and/or nitrogen content per dry mass and/or allocation. However, leaf functional characteristics change with increasing leaf age during leaf development and aging, but the importance of these alterations for within-canopy trait gradients is unknown. I conducted a meta-analysis based on 71 canopies that were sampled at different time periods or, in evergreens, includ

SUBMITTER: Niinemets U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5818143 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature