Large differences in leaf cuticle conductance and its temperature response among 24 tropical tree species from across a rainfall gradient.

ABSTRACT: More frequent droughts and rising temperatures pose serious threats to tropical forests. When stomata are closed under dry and hot conditions, plants lose water through leaf cuticles, but little is known about cuticle conductance (g_min ) of tropical trees, how it varies among species and environments, and how it is affected by temperature. We determined g_min in relation to temperature for 24 tropical tree species across a steep rainfall gradient in Panama, by recording leaf drying curves at different temperatures in the laboratory. In contrast with our hypotheses, g_min did not differ systematically across the rainfall gradient; species differences did not reflect phylogenetic patterns; and in most species g_min did not significantly increase betwe

SUBMITTER: Slot M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9290923 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature