Crown and leaf traits as predictors of subtropical tree sapling growth rates

Li, Ying; Kröber, Wenzel; Bruelheide, Helge; Härdtle, Werner; Oheimb, Goddert von

doi:10.1093/jpe/rtw041

Cited by 56 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Because competition for light is typically size‐asymmetric, height increment has the highest priority for biomass allocation when light is limiting growth (Falster & Westoby ; Pretzsch ). Preferential carbon investments in primary growth are, therefore, to be expected in the young tree communities at the study site, which is confirmed by the rapid height increments observed by Li et al () in this experiment. Crown dimensions and crown shape plasticity, however, critically depend on the proportion of biomass allocated to the branches.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Neighbour species richness and local structural variability modulate aboveground allocation patterns and crown morphology of individual trees

et al. 2019

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Local neighbourhood interactions are considered a main driver for biodiversity–productivity relationships in forests. Yet, the structural responses of individual trees in species mixtures and their relation to crown complementarity remain poorly understood. Using a large‐scale forest experiment, we studied the impact of local tree species richness and structural variability on above‐ground wood volume allocation patterns and crown morphology. We applied terrestrial laser scanning to capture the three‐dimensional structure of trees and their temporal dynamics. We found that crown complementarity and crown plasticity increased with species richness. Trees growing in species‐rich neighbourhoods showed enhanced aboveground wood volume both in trunks and branches. Over time, neighbourhood diversity induced shifts in wood volume allocation in favour of branches, in particular for morphologically flexible species. Our results demonstrate that diversity‐mediated shifts in allocation pattern and crown morphology are a fundamental mechanism for crown complementarity and may be an important driver of overyielding.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Neighbour species richness and local structural variability modulate aboveground allocation patterns and crown morphology of individual trees

et al. 2019

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“…For each planting position considered in the leaf damage assessments, we measured tree height (total length [cm] from stem base to apical meristem) and ground diameter (average of stem diameter [mm] measurements in two different directions, 5 cm above the ground; Li et al, 2014). From these values, we calculated basal area (π*ground diameter 2 /4) and wood volume (basal area*tree height*0.7, where 0.7 is the cylindrical form factor, which is the ratio of total tree wood volume to the volume of a cylinder that has the same height and diameter as the tree (Li, Kröber, Bruelheide, Härdtle, & von Oheimb, 2017). The cylindrical form factor varies with stem diameter and age, and was set equal to 0.7, which is an average value for young trees (Hess, Bienert, Härdtle, & von Oheimb, 2015)).…”

Section: Tree Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Herbivore and pathogen effects on tree growth are additive, but mediated by tree diversity and plant traits

Schuldt

Hönig

Liu

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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Herbivores and fungal pathogens are key drivers of plant community composition and functioning. The effects of herbivores and pathogens are mediated by the diversity and functional characteristics of their host plants. However, the combined effects of herbivory and pathogen damage, and their consequences for plant performance, have not yet been addressed in the context of biodiversity–ecosystem functioning research. We analyzed the relationships between herbivory, fungal pathogen damage and their effects on tree growth in a large‐scale forest‐biodiversity experiment. Moreover, we tested whether variation in leaf trait and climatic niche characteristics among tree species influenced these relationships. We found significant positive effects of herbivory on pathogen damage, and vice versa. These effects were attenuated by tree species richness—because herbivory increased and pathogen damage decreased with increasing richness—and were most pronounced for species with soft leaves and narrow climatic niches. However, herbivory and pathogens had contrasting, independent effects on tree growth, with pathogens decreasing and herbivory increasing growth. The positive herbivory effects indicate that trees might be able to (over‐)compensate for local damage at the level of the whole tree. Nevertheless, we found a dependence of these effects on richness, leaf traits and climatic niche characteristics of the tree species. This could mean that the ability for compensation is influenced by both biodiversity loss and tree species identity—including effects of larger‐scale climatic adaptations that have been rarely considered in this context. Our results suggest that herbivory and pathogens have additive but contrasting effects on tree growth. Considering effects of both herbivory and pathogens may thus help to better understand the net effects of damage on tree performance in communities differing in diversity. Moreover, our study shows how species richness and species characteristics (leaf traits and climatic niches) can modify tree growth responses to leaf damage under real‐world conditions.

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“…Consequently, the larger the crown area, the higher the transpiration and sap ow. Additionally, large projected crown areas are linked to higher leaf numbers and higher transpiration rates (Li et al, 2017). The relationship between DBH and sap ow is attributed to the positive relationship between DBH and sapwood area which directly transports sap ow.…”

Section: Sap Ow Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sap Flow Dynamics and Responses to Grazing and Seasonal Changes in Soil Moisture for Acacia Ancistroclada and Comberatum Molle in a Kenyan Savanna

Ondier

Otieno

Okach

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The Kenyan savanna, which is dominated by Acacia ancistroclada and Comberatum molle, has experienced notable changes in rainfall patterns and increased livestock grazing. A significant decrease in trees spread from 5 % to less than 1 % has been documented for the ecosystem and could be linked to the increased livestock grazing and changes in rainfall patterns, however, scientific evidence is lacking. We utilized sap flow to analyze the hydraulic responses of the prevailing trees to livestock grazing and seasonal changes in soil moisture. Environmental factors including precipitation, air temperature, soil moisture at - 0.3 m, and vapor pressure deficit were simultaneously measured. The results showed that the diurnal variation in sap flux density exhibited a single peak curve at around midday and correlated strongly with vapor pressure deficit and air temperature. Sap flux density was higher in the grazed (27.47 ± 8.65 g m-2s-1) than the fenced plots (20.17 ± 7.27 g m-2s-1). In all the plots, sap flux density followed seasonality in rainfall patterns, increasing and decreasing in wet and dry seasons respectively. The higher crown projected area was responsible for higher sap flow in the grazed plots. The diurnal variation in sap flux density showed that sap flow was coupled to the atmosphere with relatively low boundary layer resistance and the seasonal variation in sap flow was controlled by stomatal regulation. These findings point to the possibility that the dominant tree species in Lambwe are isohydric species. However, additional measurements need to be conducted on the eligibility of the species to confirm the conclusion.

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Crown and leaf traits as predictors of subtropical tree sapling growth rates

Cited by 56 publications

References 67 publications

Neighbour species richness and local structural variability modulate aboveground allocation patterns and crown morphology of individual trees

Neighbour species richness and local structural variability modulate aboveground allocation patterns and crown morphology of individual trees

Herbivore and pathogen effects on tree growth are additive, but mediated by tree diversity and plant traits

Sap Flow Dynamics and Responses to Grazing and Seasonal Changes in Soil Moisture for Acacia Ancistroclada and Comberatum Molle in a Kenyan Savanna

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