Are endemics functionally distinct? Leaf traits of native and exotic woody species in a New Zealand forest.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have concluded that native and invasive species share a common set of trait relationships. However, native species in isolated regions might be functionally constrained by their unique evolutionary histories such that they follow different carbon capture strategies than introduced species. We compared leaf traits relating to resource investment, carbon return, and resource-use efficiency in 16 native (endemic) and three non-native (invasive) species in a temperate forest in Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand. Trait differences were more closely associated with leaf habit than nativity. Deciduous species (including invaders) exhibited greater maximum photosynthetic rates at similar resource costs, which resulted in greater nitrogen- and energy-use efficiencies than evergre

SUBMITTER: Heberling JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5931660 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature