The Leaf Economics Spectrum Constrains Phenotypic Plasticity Across a Light Gradient.

ABSTRACT: The leaf economics spectrum (LES) characterizes multivariate correlations that confine the global diversity of leaf functional traits onto a single axis of variation. Although LES is well established for traits of sun leaves, it is unclear how well LES characterizes the diversity of traits for shade leaves. Here, we evaluate LES using the sun and shade leaves of 75 woody species sampled at the extremes of a within-canopy light gradient in a subtropical forest. Shading significantly decreased the mean values of LMA and the rates of photosynthesis and dark respiration, but had no discernable effect on nitrogen and phosphorus content. Sun and shade leaves manifested the same relationships among N _mass, P _mass, A _mass, and R _mas

SUBMITTER: Chen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7300261 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature