Life history is a key factor explaining functional trait diversity among subtropical grasses, and its influence differs between C3 and C4 species.

ABSTRACT: Life history and photosynthetic type both affect the economics of leaf physiological function. Annual plants have lower tissue densities and resource-use efficiencies than perennials, while C4 photosynthesis, facilitated in grasses by specific changes in leaf anatomy, improves photosynthetic efficiency and water-use efficiency, especially in hot climates. This study aimed to determine whether C4 photosynthesis affects differences in functional traits between annual and perennial species. We measured 26 traits and characterised niche descriptors for 42 grasses from subtropical China. Differences in the majority of traits were explained by life history. The ranges of annual species (particularly C4 annuals) extended to regions with greater temperature seasonality and lower precipitation, and

SUBMITTER: Liu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6411383 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature