Biotic and abiotic consequences of differences in leaf structure

Abstract

Both within and between species, leaves of plants display wide ranges in structural features. These features include : gross investments of carbon and nitrogen substrates (e.g. leaf mass per unit area) ; stomatal density, distribution between adaxial and abaxial surfaces, and aperture ; internal and external optical scattering structures ; defensive structures, such as trichomes and spines ; and defensive compounds, including UV screens, antifeedants, toxins, and silica abrasives. I offer a synthesis of selected publications, including some of my own. A unifying theme is the adaptive value of expressing certain structural features, posed as metabolic costs and benefits, for (1) competitive acquisition and use of abiotic resources (such as water, light and nitrogen) and (2) regulation of biotic interactions, particularly fungal attack and herbivory. Both acclimatory responses in one plant and adaptations over evolutionary time scales are covered where possible. The ubiquity of trade-offs in function is a recurrent theme ; this helps to explain diversity in solutions to the same environmental challenges but poses problems for investigators to uncover numerous important trade-offs. I offer some suggestions for research, such as on the need for models that integrate biotic and abiotic effects (these must be highly focused), and some speculations, such as on the intensity of selection pressures for these structures.

Genetic map construction and QTL analysis of nitrogen use efficiency in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

“…However, our experiments used the N addition model of Ingestad (1982), and N is provided to the plants in an exponential and progressive manner according to a specific relative growth rate (0.10 and 0.18). At the low N addition rate, the plants are able to adapt to the low N availability (Gutshick 1999). The plants do grow slower, but these are likely able to balance photosynthetic capacity and growth to the available N, and the leaves hardly senesce (Chan-Navarrete et al 2014).…”

Impact of tropospheric ozone on the Euro-Mediterranean vegetation

“…At their southernmost distribution area, Fagus sylvatica (Bauer et al, 1997) and Abies alba (Rinallo & Gellini 1989) have more sclerophyllous leaves than the central European provenances. The typical Mediterranean conditions enhance sclerophylly, as plants grown in dry environments and under excessive light usually develop greater leaf thickness and mass (Gutschick 1999).…”

Grass strategies and grassland community responses to environmental drivers: a review

“…Interestingly enough, Pontes et al (2010) showed that changes in above-ground productivity due to changes in cutting frequency can be explained by traits linked to both tolerance and avoidance mechanisms. The first can be explained, for instance, by the changes in the number of leaves, since a large number of leaves are linked to an increased opportunity for photosynthesis (Gutschick 1999;Franklin and Agren 2002), and the second by the changes in plant stature and palatability. Del-Val and Crawley (2005) has argued that these two mechanisms, i.e.…”