The effect of elevational gradient on alpine gingers (Roscoea alpina and R. purpurea) in the Himalayas.

ABSTRACT: There is currently enormous interest in how morphological and physiological responses of herbaceous plants may be affected by changing elevational gradient. Mountain regions provide an excellent opportunity to understand how closely related species may adapt to the conditions that rapidly change with elevation. We investigated the morphological and physiological responses of two Himalayan alpine gingers (Roscoea alpina and R. purpurea) along two different vertical transects of 400 m, R. purpurea between 2,174-2,574 m a.s.l and R. alpina between 2,675-3,079 m a.s.l. We measured the variables of plant height, leaf length, leaf area, specific leaf area, and stomata density at five plots, along the vertical transect at an elevational gap of ca. 100 m. Results reveal

SUBMITTER: Paudel BR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6753920 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature