Leaf Trait Covariation and Its Controls: A Quantitative Data Analysis Along a Subtropical Elevation Gradient

Yang, Yanzheng; Gou, Ruikun; Li, Wei; Kassout, Jalal; Wu, Jun; Li-ming, Wang; Peng, Changhui; Lin, Guanghui

doi:10.1029/2021jg006378

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…In addition, the study of phenotypic variation along elevation gradients has been useful to examine trait-environment relationship across both species and lineages [ 42 ]. This information is crucial to understand how environmental selection drives phenotypic adjustments in traits that impact on the fitness of individuals, promoting an efficient exploitation of resources in a given environment, and how consistent are those adjustments across lineages [ 43 ]. At the same time, it allows us to understand how the differential use of resources supported by the trait-environment relationship allows species to coexist in an area, impacting the patterns of diversity and differentiation observed along strong environmental gradients, thus defining the composition and structure of communities [ 44 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and morphological variation of tree ferns (Cyatheaceae) along an elevation gradient

Merino,

Ramírez-Barahona,

Olson

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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Knowing how species and communities respond to environmental change is fundamental in the context of climate change. The search for patterns of abundance and phenotypic variation along altitudinal gradients can provide evidence on adaptive limits. We evaluated the species abundance and the variation in morphometric and stomatal characters in five tree ferns species (Cyathea fulva, C. divergens, C. myosuroides, Alsophila firma and Gymnosphaera salvinii) distributed along an elevation gradient in a well-preserved Mexican cloud forest. Variation at the community and species level was assessed using exploratory and multivariate data analysis methods. We wanted to explore if the species abundance is environmentally determined, to determine the degree of variation along the elevation gradient, to test for differences between zones and associations with elevation, humidity and soil nutrients, and to assess contribution of the intra- and interspecific variation to the community response to elevation and soil nutrients. The studied fern community showed strong species turnover along the elevation gradient, with some influence of soil nutrient concentration, supporting environmental determinism. All measured characters displayed variation along the gradient. Stomatal characters (size and density) had significantly less variation than morphometric characters (trunk diameter, stipe length and blade length), but stomatal density also shows interesting intraspecific patterns. In general, patterns within the fern community suggest a strong influence of species identity, especially of species inhabiting the lower edge of the cloud forest, which showed the clearest morphometric and stomatal patterns, associated to contrasting environments rather than to changes in elevation. The coincidence between morphometric and stomatal patterns in this area suggest hydraulic adjustments in response to contrasting environments. Our results provide evidence that tree ferns species respond to environmental changes through adjustments of morphometric plasticity and stomatal density, which is relevant to predict possible responses to variation in environmental conditions resulting from climate change.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and morphological variation of tree ferns (Cyatheaceae) along an elevation gradient

Merino,

Ramírez-Barahona,

Olson

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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“…This strategy is evident in attributes such as reduced leaf size, lower specific leaf area, thicker leaf, higher leaf length-to-width ratio, and lower vein density. Contrarily, the abundance of resources at lower elevations can result in a resource-acquisitive strategy, leading to larger leaf size, higher specific leaf area, thicker leaf, and lower vein density (Marod et al 2018;Midolo et al 2019;Ochoa-beltrán et al 2021;Yang et al 2021). Some of the important leaf traits indicative of either resource-use or resource-acquisitive strategy include leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf thickness, leaf toughness, vein density, leaf mass to area ratio (LMA), leaf length to width ratio, leaf nitrogen mass (Nmass), leaf nitrogen area (Narea), and among others (Cruz-Maldonado et al 2021;Midolo et al 2019;Sack and Scoffoni 2013;Shi et al 2018;Yang et al 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Contrarily, the abundance of resources at lower elevations can result in a resource-acquisitive strategy, leading to larger leaf size, higher specific leaf area, thicker leaf, and lower vein density (Marod et al 2018;Midolo et al 2019;Ochoa-beltrán et al 2021;Yang et al 2021). Some of the important leaf traits indicative of either resource-use or resource-acquisitive strategy include leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf thickness, leaf toughness, vein density, leaf mass to area ratio (LMA), leaf length to width ratio, leaf nitrogen mass (Nmass), leaf nitrogen area (Narea), and among others (Cruz-Maldonado et al 2021;Midolo et al 2019;Sack and Scoffoni 2013;Shi et al 2018;Yang et al 2021). The specific leaf area, leaf life span, massbased nitrogen, and mass-based assimilation are some traits associated with the plant's growth, survival, and light requirement (Poorter and Bongers 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leaf Traits of Parashorea malaanonan Along Elevational Gradient in Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, Philippines

Ebale,

Hernandez,

Tinio

2023

J. Sylva Lestari

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Studying leaf trait variation and relationships along elevational gradients will enhance our understanding of how plants respond to changing environmental conditions. Thus, we analyzed the leaf traits variation in ecologically and economically important Parashorea malaanonan and the potential influence of environmental covariables (rainfall, relative humidity, and air temperature) on leaf traits along an elevational gradient in Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR). Three sampling sites were selected based on elevation, i.e., low (400–500 masl), mid (500–600 masl), and high (> 600 masl). The leaf samples were collected from seedlings, saplings, and adult trees of P. malaanonan. There was no significant variation in most of the measured leaf traits, leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf thickness (LT), leaf length-to-width ratio (L:W) across sampling sites, except vein density (VD). The SLA and LT at high elevations are significantly and negatively correlated (r2 = 0.7396). The environmental covariables had a significant (p < 0.05) impact on the leaf traits of P. malaanonan. The observed variation in some leaf traits may have been influenced by the elevation gradient and its associated environmental conditions. Thus, P. malaanonan may have developed adaptive mechanisms to cope with the changing environment. Keywords: conservation, elevational gradients, environmental variables, leaf traits, Parashorea malaanonan

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“…Changes in the abiotic environment along elevational gradients also cause variations in functional leaf traits (Read et al, 2014 ). For example, leaf size and specific leaf area (SLA) generally decrease with increasing elevation (Midolo et al, 2019 ; Wright et al, 2017 ), whereas leaf water content tends to increase (Cruz‐Maldonado et al, 2021 ; Yang et al, 2021 ), despite the considerable variations in elevational patterns reported among individual studies. All these traits are associated with plant quality for herbivores (Callis‐Duehl et al, 2017 ; Wright et al, 2004 ), so their changes can contribute to elevational changes in herbivory.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevational changes in insect herbivory on woody plants in six mountain ranges of temperate Eurasia: Sources of variation

Kozlov

Zverev

Zvereva

2022

Ecology and Evolution

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Current theory predicts that the intensity of biotic interactions, particularly herbivory, decreases with increasing latitude and elevation. However, recent studies have revealed substantial variation in both the latitudinal and elevational patterns of herbivory. This variation is often attributed to differences in study design and the type of data collected by different researchers. Here, we used a similar sampling protocol along elevational gradients in six mountain ranges, located at different latitudes within temperate Eurasia, to uncover the sources of variation in elevational patterns in insect herbivory on woody plant leaves. We discovered a considerable variation in elevational patterns among different mountain ranges; nevertheless, herbivory generally decreased with increasing elevation at both the community‐wide and individual plant species levels. This decrease was mostly due to openly living defoliators, whereas no significant association was detected between herbivory and elevation among insects living within plant tissues (i.e., miners and gallers). The elevational decrease in herbivory was significant for deciduous plants but not for evergreen plants, and for tall plants but not for low‐stature plants. The community‐wide herbivory increased with increases in both specific leaf area and leaf size. The strength of the negative correlation between herbivory and elevation increased from lower to higher latitudes. We conclude that despite the predicted overall decrease with elevation, elevational gradients in herbivory demonstrate considerable variation, and this variation is mostly associated with herbivore feeding habits, some plant traits, and latitude of the mountain range.

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Leaf Trait Covariation and Its Controls: A Quantitative Data Analysis Along a Subtropical Elevation Gradient

Cited by 9 publications

References 57 publications

Distribution and morphological variation of tree ferns (Cyatheaceae) along an elevation gradient

Distribution and morphological variation of tree ferns (Cyatheaceae) along an elevation gradient

Leaf Traits of Parashorea malaanonan Along Elevational Gradient in Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, Philippines

Elevational changes in insect herbivory on woody plants in six mountain ranges of temperate Eurasia: Sources of variation

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