Phenotypic integration and life history strategies among populations of Pinus halepensis: an insight through structural equation modelling.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Understanding inter-population variation in the allocation of resources to specific anatomical compartments and physiological processes is crucial to disentangle adaptive patterns in forest species. This work aims to evaluate phenotypic integration and trade-offs among functional traits as determinants of life history strategies in populations of a circum-Mediterranean pine that dwells in environments where water and other resources are in limited supply.

Methods

Adult individuals of 51 populations of Pinus halepensis grown in a common garden were characterized for 11 phenotypic traits, including direct and indirect measures of water uptake at different depths, leaf area, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, non-structural carbohydrates, stem diamet

SUBMITTER: Santini F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6943711 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature