Functional Trait Variation Among and Within Species and Plant Functional Types in Mountainous Mediterranean Forests.

ABSTRACT: Plant structural and biochemical traits are frequently used to characterise the life history of plants. Although some common patterns of trait covariation have been identified, recent studies suggest these patterns of covariation may differ with growing location and/or plant functional type (PFT). Mediterranean forest tree/shrub species are often divided into three PFTs based on their leaf habit and form, being classified as either needleleaf evergreen (Ne), broadleaf evergreen (Be), or broadleaf deciduous (Bd). Working across 61 mountainous Mediterranean forest sites of contrasting climate and soil type, we sampled and analysed 626 individuals in order to evaluate differences in key foliage trait covariation as modulated by growing conditions both within and between the Ne, Be, and Bd fun

SUBMITTER: Fyllas NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7065597 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature