Linking multiple-level tree traits with biomass accumulation in native tree species used for reforestation in Panama

Abstract

To improve establishment yield and carbon accumulation during reforestation, analyses of species adaptations to local environments are needed. Here we measured, at the individual scale, links between biomass accumulation and multiple-level tree traits: biomass partitioning, crown morphology and leaf physiology. The study was carried out on one-and three-year-old individuals of five tropical tree species assigned to pioneer (P) or nonpioneer (NP) functional groups. Among the species, Cedrela odorata, Luehea seemannii and Hura crepitans showed the greatest biomass accumulation. On our seasonally dry site, species performance during the first year was dependent on a greater investment in above-ground foraging, while performance after three years was mainly related to water relations. However, large biomass accumulations were not simply associated with an efficient water use but also with contrasting water uses, based on inter-specific relationships. Generally, greater carbon isotope discrimination (D leaf ) was related to greater allocation to roots. Species with high D leaf generally showed high leaf potential nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE), suggesting that lower water use efficiency (WUE) increases the efficiency of photosynthetically active N. Also, PNUE was negatively correlated to leaf mass per area (LMA), implying that photosynthetically active N is diluted as total leaf mass increases. Finally, no distinction in measured traits, including biomass accumulation, was observed between the two functional groups.

Root architecture and allocation patterns of eight native tropical species with different successional status used in open-grown mixed plantations in Panama

“…This particular difference in leaf morphology between functional types is critical since it provides contrasting nitrogen and water-use efficiencies and different leaf life spans (Terwilliger et al 2001;Onoda et al 2004). In a parallel study conducted in the same experimental site we found a positive relationship between SLA and leaf photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) (Delagrange et al 2008) and Kitajima (1994) and Walters et al (1993), among others, have reported higher photosynthetic rates and SLA values for pioneer species than for non-pioneers when growing under high light conditions. SLA is known to well predict photosynthetic capacity under high light conditions and particularly at The main factors included in the analyses were the functional type (pioneer or non pioneer) and the species nested under these groups Trees (2008) 22:585-596 591 fertile sites (Craven et al 2007).…”

“…All leaves from the saplings were harvested and dried to provide total leaf biomass. We used specific leaf area (SLA) calculated from another study (Delagrange et al 2008) to scale up biomass of leaves to total leaf area per tree. SLA values were obtained from fifteen to twenty-five leaves per species where the leaf area had been measured with a leaf area meter (Li-Cor 3100) before being dried and weighed.…”

Distribution patterns of shrubby N‐fixers and non‐N fixers in an arid valley in Southwest China: implications for ecological restoration

“…In fact, shrubby legumes are widely distributed in regions with a Mediterranean-type climate (Del Pozo and Aronson 2000;Rodrı´guez-Echeverrı´a et al 2003). Actinorhizal species also have been considered as pioneer species in pasture ecosystems (Croat 1978;Delagrange et al 2007). In the arid valley, there are other actinorhizal plants (C. nepalensis and Myrica rubra).…”

Compromising genetic diversity in the wild: unmonitored large-scale release of plants and animals

“…However, chosen tree species are often exotics (frequently Eucalyptus and Pinus spp.) which have desired traits of fast growth, high yield, known site preference and high reproduction [49]. Neither the ecological nor genetic impacts of these approaches have been well studied, nor have genetic monitoring programs been established to watch for impacts on native populations.…”