Leaf economics and hydraulic traits are decoupled in five species‐rich tropical‐subtropical forests. (25th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Le; McCormack, M. Luke; Ma, Chengen; Kong, Deliang; Zhang, Qian; Chen, Xiaoyong; Zeng, Hui; Niinemets, Ülo; Guo, Dali; Peñuelas, Josep
• Is Part Of: Ecology letters. Volume 18:Number 9(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 899
• Page End: 906
• Publication Date: 2015-06-25
• Subjects: Ecology -- Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1111/ele.12466
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-023X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ele12466-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Leaf economics and hydraulic traits are critical to leaf photosynthesis, yet it is debated whether these two sets of traits vary in a fully coordinated manner or there is room for independent variation. Here, we tested the relationship between leaf economics traits, including leaf nitrogen concentration and leaf dry mass per area, and leaf hydraulic traits including stomatal density and vein density in five tropical‐subtropical forests. Surprisingly, these two suites of traits were statistically decoupled. This decoupling suggests that independent trait dimensions exist within a leaf, with leaf economics dimension corresponding to light capture and tissue longevity, and the hydraulic dimension to water‐use and leaf temperature maintenance. Clearly, leaf economics and hydraulic traits <italic>can</italic> vary independently, thus allowing for more possible plant trait combinations. Compared with a single trait dimension, multiple trait dimensions may better enable species adaptations to multifarious niche dimensions, promote diverse plant strategies and facilitate species coexistence.</p> </abstract>