喜旱莲子草对遮荫的可塑性反应:入侵地与原产地种群的比较

表型可塑性可能在外来植物的成功入侵和随后的扩散中起到至关重要的作用。一些研究者推测喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)入侵地种群可能比原产地种群对光强具有更强的可塑性反应。为了验证该假说,我们在正常光照和遮荫(30%正常光照)条件下研究了喜旱莲子草原产地(阿根廷)和入侵地(美国)种群在形态特征和生物量分配上是否存在显著差异。结果表明:(1)喜旱莲子草对光照强度具有很强的可塑性。在遮荫处理下,其根冠比和分枝生物量比显著降低,而比茎长和比叶面积显著增加;(2)原产地和入侵地喜旱莲子草的总生物量和比叶面积对遮荫的可塑性没有显著差异。入侵地种群的根冠比、分枝强度和比茎长的可塑性显著小于原产地种群;(3)无论在正常或低光照条件下,入侵地种群的根冠比(–20.8%)、分枝强度(–54.6%)、比茎长(–18.5%)和比叶面积(–8.6%)均显著低于原产地种群。这些结果表明,喜旱莲子草对光照强度具有很强的可塑性,这可能是该物种可以分布于从河岸带草丛到疏林灌丛等各种生境的主要原因;从原产地到入侵地,喜旱莲子草与耐阴性有关的性状对光照的可塑性显著降低,可能是该物种在入侵地能够形成单优势种群的主要原因。     

三种高寒植物幼苗生物量分配及性状特征对光照和养分的响应

为了解高寒植物幼苗对生境资源异质性的适应策略,以高寒草甸中常见的3种草本植物大耳叶风毛菊(Saussurea macrota)、甘西鼠尾草(Salvia przewalskii)和千里光(Senecio scandens)为材料,比较研究了这3种植物幼苗对不同光照和养分资源的响应。结果表明:光照和养分异质性显著影响了3种植物幼苗的性状特征和生物量分配,并存在一定的交互影响。随着光照的降低,3个物种的幼苗的生物量和根分配呈现降低趋势,但是其株高、比叶面积、叶分配、茎分配却逐渐升高。在低养分条件下,3个物种幼苗的总生物量、株高、比叶面积和叶分配均降低,而根分配均却显著增加。对于光照和养分资源异质性而言,光照异质性对高寒植物生物量分配和性状特征的改变具有更大的影响。喜阴物种大耳叶风毛菊和喜光物种甘西鼠尾草比中性生境物种千里光表现出了较大的性状特征和生物量分配的可塑性指数。     

生态因子及其交互作用对拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)表型可塑性的影响

以拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)两种基因型(ws-0和col-0)材料,采用复因子混合水平正交试验设计开展盆栽实验,研究了土壤盐分、土壤水分、光照强度、去叶处理等生态因子及其交互作用对受试植株18个表型特征的影响.结果表明生态因子对植物表型可塑性的影响是有针对性的:土壤水分主要影响植物体构件数目;土壤盐分主要影响生物量、角果数及种籽总数等直接反映植株适合度的表型特征;光照条件则主要影响植物的物候表型特征.植物体表型可塑性的方向随水分梯度的变化而发生改变.生态因子交互作用对植物表型可塑性的影响效果不是各因子独立作用的简单加和:对某个表型特征都有显著影响的两个生态因子其交互作用对该特征可能没有影响;反之,受两个生态因子交互作用影响显著的表型特征也可能不受它们的独立影响.在对生态因子交互作用作出响应时,col-0的9个特征表现出可塑性,而ws-0仅有4个表型是可塑的;同一基因型内彼此相关的表型特征在可塑性上也具一致性.抽苔时莲座叶数与角果平均籽粒数不受任何生态因子及其交互作用的影响,这两个表型作为数量特征而未表现出可塑性.     

华中五味子叶表型可塑性及环境因子对叶表型的影响

表型可塑性是指同一基因型的生物个体在不同环境条件下产生不同表型的特性,这一特性促使物种适应异质环境,具有更宽的生态幅。居群和物种水平广义的表型可塑性研究可揭示植物在自然环境中的生态意义并丰富对植物种群分布的了解。华中五味子(Schisandra sphenanthera)是一种资源严重减少的常用野生药材物种,对其进行研究和保护非常必要。叶是华中五味子主要的光合作用器官,随环境改变叶表型有很大变化,因此从居群水平上对华中五味子叶表型可塑性进行分析,揭示叶表型可塑性大小,探究环境因子对叶表型的影响,可为华中五味子的保护提供依据。该研究运用GIS技术从较大尺度(9省市26县27个居群)对华中五味子叶表型可塑性进行分析,并用表型可塑性指数和变异系数2种方法对叶表型可塑性进行评价,运用隶属函数和最大熵模型将3类(土壤、气候和地形)13个环境因子对叶表型的影响进行分析。结果表明,华中五味子7个叶表型(叶长、叶宽、叶柄长、叶面积、叶形指数、叶齿数和二级叶脉数)均存在可塑性,其中叶面积可塑性最大,叶形指数可塑性最小。3类环境因子中对叶表型影响最大的为土壤因子,气候因子次之,最小为地形因子。权重分析显示,土壤全钾含量对叶长和叶面积影响最大,有机碳含量、海拔、土壤全磷含量、坡度和年降水量分别对叶宽、叶柄长、叶形指数、叶齿数和二级叶脉数影响最大。研究结果表明,对多个叶表型有影响的5个共有重要因子为土壤全钾含量、全磷含量、有机碳含量、年降水量和坡度,它们与对应叶表型间的隶属函数多为高斯型,具有最优值,可通过人工控制达到最优值来促进其生长。该结果为华中五味子野生抚育和迁地种植提供理论参考。     

不同光强对入侵种三裂叶豚草表型可塑性的影响

通过人工遮光,研究了不同光照强度下入侵植物三裂叶豚草的形态、生物量分配以及光合特性的表型可塑性.结果表明:与对照相比,遮光条件下,三裂叶豚草的株高、冠宽、单株叶面积、比叶面积和叶生物量比重显著增加,总生物量、单位叶面积生物量和根冠比减小;在全光照条件下,其冠宽和单株叶面积较小,根冠比较大,有利于高温强光下减少水分散失,表现出对不同光强较强的形态和生物量可塑性.遮光使三裂叶豚草叶片的日均净光合速率、蒸腾速率和气孔导度下降,胞间CO2浓度上升.正午光照最强时,低遮光处理植株的净光合速率、蒸腾速率和气孔导度最大.中遮光和高遮光条件下,其叶绿素含量显著增加,叶绿素a/b显著减小,有利于提高三裂叶豚草的光能利用效率,以适应弱光环境.     

不同光环境对海南龙血树幼苗表型可塑性及生存策略的影响

为了解光照对海南龙血树(Dracaena cambodiana)幼苗生长的影响,研究了不同光照环境下海南龙血树幼苗形态、生理特性和生物量分配的变化,并分析了其生态适应性。结果表明,海南龙血树幼苗的形态、生理和生物量分配指标在不同光照强度间存在显著差异,各指标的可塑性指数为0.08~0.86,其中根茎叶及总生物量的可塑性指数普遍较高(0.67~0.86),表明海南龙血树幼苗有较好的光照适应性,其策略主要是通过调整根茎叶生物量的分配来适应光照的变化。随着光照强度的降低,海南龙血树幼苗的比叶面积、叶根比呈现显著增大趋势,表明幼苗可通过增加单株叶面积比例,扩大光合作用面积,有效调节自身生物量配置。37.3%自然光照(L2)是海南龙血树幼苗生长的最佳光照强度。现存海南龙血树生境改变,生境缺少林荫以致光照强度过大,不利于幼苗根系生长,难以度过干旱季节,可能是海南龙血树自然更新失败的重要原因之一。     

Adaptive plasticity in response to light and nutrient availability in the clonal plant Duchesnea indica

克隆植物蛇莓对光照强度和养分条件的适应性可塑性 表型可塑性可帮助植物缓冲环境压力并使其表型与当地环境相匹配,但目前仅少数性状的可塑性被广泛认为是适应性的。为充分理解可塑性的适应性意义,仍需进一步研究更多的植物功能性状及其环境因子。本研究将匍匐茎克隆植物蛇莓(Duchesnea indica)的21个基因型种植于不同的光照和养分条件下,并利用选择梯度分析检测了形态和生理可塑性对光照强度和养分有效性变化的适应性值。在遮荫条件下,蛇莓适合度(果实数、分株数和生物量)降低,节间缩短变细,成熟叶叶绿素含量降低,但叶柄长度、比叶面积、老叶叶绿素含量均增加。在低养分条件下,植株叶柄缩短,叶面积缩小变厚,叶绿素含量降低,但果实数量和根冠比增加。选择梯度分析表明,叶柄长度和老叶叶绿素含量对光照变化的可塑性是适应性的,老叶和成熟叶叶绿素含量对养分变化的可塑性也是适应性的。因此,不同性状的可塑性适应值取决于特定的生态背景。该研究的发现有助于理解克隆植物表型可塑性响应环境变化的适应性意义。     

不同光照和水分条件对土著灾变种金钟藤形态性状和化感作用的影响

金钟藤为海南原产,近20年来种群数量迅速增多,并对许多次生林、人工林和灌木林造成严重危害。金钟藤种群成灾的生境或区域有不同的光照和水分条件,而灾变种往往通过较高的表型可塑性来适应多样的生境条件。为揭示土著灾变种金钟藤适应多样生境条件的生理生态机制,本文通过温室盆栽试验研究了不同光照和水分条件对金钟藤生长、形态性状及其可塑性、化感作用的影响。结果表明,高光干旱条件下金钟藤生物量有所降低。在低光下,金钟藤增加了茎总长度、比茎长、比叶面积,降低了根冠比。这些形态性状的表型可塑性指数平均为0.36。高光干旱生长条件下,金钟藤叶片水浸液对生菜种子萌发和芽长生长的抑制作用较低,可能是因为在这种胁迫条件下,金钟藤降低了对竞争(化感)的资源投入。形态性状的可塑性可能促进了金钟藤在林下低光环境下更好的捕获光能和快速生长至冠层,而化感作用的可塑性说明金钟藤可能通过调节对竞争(化感)的资源投入来适应多样的水分条件。金钟藤在形态性状和化感作用方面的可塑性可能是其适应多样生境条件并爆发成灾的生理生态机制之一。     

不同基因型羊草数量性状的可塑性及遗传分化

为了深入探讨植物对环境变化的适应机制,该文以内蒙古草原区羊草(Leymus chinensis)不同基因型为对象,在人工控制条件下,研究了羊草基因型、刈割、干旱及其交互作用对羊草11个数量性状的影响。结果显示:(1)所观测的11个性状(光系统Ⅱ光化学效率、最大净光合速率、蒸腾速率、比叶面积、相对生长速率、分蘖增长数、地上及地下生物量、叶总酚浓度、根非结构性碳水化合物总量和根冠比)受环境因素(干旱、刈割或两者交互)影响显著,表明该物种具有较强的表型可塑性;且在4种环境条件(对照、刈割、干旱、刈割干旱)下,不同基因型羊草的反应规范并不一致,其中,最大净光合速率、蒸腾速率、比叶面积、相对生长速率、叶总酚浓度和根非结构性碳水化合物总量受环境和基因型交互作用影响显著,表明这些性状的表型可塑性具有一定的遗传基础。(2)对同一环境条件下,不同基因型间的性状进行分析显示,分蘖增长数、地下生物量和根非结构性碳水化合物含量在4种环境条件下均未检测到基因型间的差异;而其余8个性状在基因型间的差异显著,表明这些性状的差异具有一定的遗传基础,其中,与生长相关的6个性状的遗传力(H~2)较高,均大于0.5,而叶总酚浓度和根冠比仅在刈割干旱条件下检测出显著差异,H~2分别为0.145和0.202。这些实验结果为理解羊草这一重要物种在内蒙古草原区的广泛分布提供了适应机制方面的数据支持,为合理预测未来气候变化对该物种的影响提供了科学依据,为合理利用和保护该物种及其生态系统提供了理论依据。     

不同光照和水分条件下鬼针草属入侵种与本地种生长、光合特征及表型可塑性的比较

为探讨鬼针草属(Bidens)入侵种的入侵性,利用同质园种植实验比较了该属入侵种三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa)和大狼耙草(B.frondosa)与本地种金盏银盘(B.biternata)和狼耙草(B.tripartita)在光照与水分交互作用下的形态、生长、生物量分配、光合特征及其表型可塑性的差异。结果表明:入侵种的株高和生物量在低光低水条件下与本地种相似,在有利的光照和水分条件(高光高水)下显著高于本地种,相对生长速率在高光条件下均高于本地种。入侵种在高光处理下增加了对地下部分的资源投入,在低光处理下增加了对叶的投入,且低光低水条件下比叶面积显著高于本地种。这些特性可能提高了入侵种对资源的捕获和利用能力,使其既能耐受不利的环境,又能在有利的条件下表现最大化。入侵种和本地种的形态、生长和光合生理等参数对水分变化的可塑性指数均较小,对光照变化的可塑性指数均较大。入侵种的多数变量对光照响应的可塑性指数大于本地种,较大的表型可塑性可能促进其成功入侵。另外,入侵种和本地种的光合生理参数无显著差异。相对于光合特征,形态、生长、生物量分配和表型可塑性等可能对鬼针草属入侵种的入侵性更为重要。     

两种热带木质藤本幼苗形态、生长和光合能力对光强和养分的响应

比较了两种不同攀援习性, 卷须缠绕种薄叶羊蹄甲(Bauhinia tenuiflora)和茎缠绕种刺果藤(Byttneria aspera), 木质藤本植物的形态、生长及光合特性对不同光强(4%、35%和全光照)和土壤养分(高和低)的响应。两种藤本植物大部分表型特征主要受光照的影响, 而受土壤养分的影响较小。弱光促进地上部分生长, 弱光下两种植物均具有较大的比叶面积(specific leaf area, SLA)、茎生物量比(stem mass ratio, SMR)和平均叶面积比(mean leaf area ratio, LARm)。高光强下, 两种植物的总生物量和投入到地下部分的比重增加, 具有更大的根生物量比(root mass ratio, RMR)、更多的分枝数、更高的光合能力( maximum photosynthetic rate, Pmax)和净同化速率(net assimilation rate, NAR), 综合表现为相对生长速率(relative growth rate, RGR)增加。两种藤本植物的Pmax与叶片含氮量的相关性均未达显著水平, 但刺果藤的Pmax与SLA之间呈显著的正相关, 而薄叶羊蹄甲的Pmax与SLA之间相关性不显著。在相同光照强度和土壤养分条件下, 卷须缠绕种薄叶羊蹄甲的RGR显著高于茎缠绕种刺果藤。薄叶羊蹄甲的RGR与NAR呈显著正相关, 其RGR与SLA、平均叶面积比(LARm)及Pmax之间相关性不显著。刺果藤的RGR与NAR呈显著的正相关, 而与SLA存在显著的负相关。上述结果表明, 与土壤养分相比, 光照强度可能是决定木质藤本分布更为重要的生态因子。卷须缠绕种薄叶羊蹄甲由于具有特化的攀援器官, 在形态上和生理上具有更大的可塑性, 这使得卷须缠绕种木质藤本在与其它植物的竞争中更具优势。     

两种热带木质藤本幼苗形态、生长和光合能力对光强和养分的响应

比较了两种不同攀援习性,卷须缠绕种薄叶羊蹄甲（Bauhinia tenuiflora）和茎缠绕种刺果藤（Byttneria aspera）,木质藤本植物的形态、生长及光合特性对不同光强（4％、35％和全光照）和土壤养分（高和低）的响应。两种藤本植物大部分表型特征主要受光照的影响,而受土壤养分的影响较小。弱光促进地上部分生长,弱光下两种植物均具有较大的比叶面积（specific leaf area,SLA）、茎生物量比（stem mass ratio,SMR）和平均叶面积比（mean leaf area ratio,LARm）。高光强下,两种植物的总生物量和投入到地下部分的比重增加,具有更大的根生物量比（root mass ratio,RMR）、更多的分枝数、更高的光合能力（maximum photosynthetic rate,Pmax）和净同化速率（net assimilation rate,NAR）,综合表现为相对生长速率（relative growth rate,RGR）增加。两种藤本植物的Pmax与叶片含氮量的相关性均未达显著水平,但刺果藤的Pmax与SU志间呈显著的正相关,而薄叶羊蹄甲的Pmax与SLA之间相关性不显著。在相同光照强度和土壤养分条件下,卷须缠绕种薄叶羊蹄甲的RGR显著高于茎缠绕种刺果藤。薄叶羊蹄甲的RGR与NAR呈显著正相关,其RGR与SLA、平均叶面积比（EARm）及Pmax之间相关性不显著。刺果藤的RGR与NAR呈显著的正相关,而与SLA存在显著的负相关。上述结果表明,与土壤养分相比,光照强度可能是决定木质藤本分布更为重要的生态因子。卷须缠绕种薄叶羊蹄甲由于具有特化的攀援器官,在形态上和生理上具有更大的可塑性,这使得卷须缠绕种木质藤本在与其它植物的竞争中更具优势。     

Phenotypic plasticity of lianas in response to altered light environment

The growth, morphology and biomass allocation of 11 liana species (six light-demanding and five shade-tolerant) were investigated by growing plants in three contrasting light environments (i.e., field, forest edge and forest interior). Our objectives were to determine: (1) changes in plant traits at the species level; and (2) differences in light-demanding and shade-tolerant species in response to altered light environment. We found that all seedlings of liana species increased in total biomass, total leaf area, relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), height, basal diameter, root length, leaf number, root mass/total plant mass (RMR) and root-to-shoot dry biomass (R/S ratio), and decreased in leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf size, stem mass-to-total plant mass ratio (SMR) and leaf mass-to-total plant mass ratio (LMR) with increasing light availability. Under the three light environments, the two types of species differed significantly in total biomass, total leaf area, RGR, NAR, LAR, SLA and leaf number, and not in leaf area. Only light-demanding species differed significantly in height, root length, basal diameter, RMR, SMR, LMR and R/S ratio. The mean plasticity index of growth and biomass allocation were relatively higher than the morphological variables, with significant differences between the two groups. Our results showed that liana species respond differently to changing light environments and that light-demanding species exhibit higher plasticity. Such differences may affect the relative success of liana species in forest dynamics.     

Net Assimilation Rate Determines the Growth Rates of 14 Species of Subtropical Forest Trees

Growth rates are of fundamental importance for plants, as individual size affects myriad ecological processes. We determined the factors that generate variation in RGR among 14 species of trees and shrubs that are abundant in subtropical Chinese forests. We grew seedlings for two years at four light levels in a shade-house experiment. We monitored the growth of every juvenile plant every two weeks. After one and two years, we destructively harvested individuals and measured their functional traits and gas-exchange rates. After calculating individual biomass trajectories, we estimated relative growth rates using nonlinear growth functions. We decomposed the variance in log(RGR) to evaluate the relationships of RGR with its components: specific leaf area (SLA), net assimilation rate (NAR) and leaf mass ratio (LMR). We found that variation in NAR was the primary determinant of variation in RGR at all light levels, whereas SLA and LMR made smaller contributions. Furthermore, NAR was strongly and positively associated with area-based photosynthetic rate and leaf nitrogen content. Photosynthetic rate and leaf nitrogen concentration can, therefore, be good predictors of growth in woody species.     

New seed morphological features in Moehringia L. (Caryophyllaceae) and their taxonomic and ecological significance

Abstract

Relative growth rate (RGR) is a fundamental trait for comparative plant ecology but cannot be measured in situ, leading to problems in interpreting vegetation function. However, the components of RGR (net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR), leaf weight ratio (LWR), and specific leaf area (SLA)) can be calculated for wild plants from morphological measurements (leaf area, leaf dry mass, whole plant dry mass), which potentially reflect RGR. Seeds of 19 species from Italian prealpine calcareous grasslands were collected and seedlings were cultivated under controlled conditions. RGR, NAR, LAR, LWR and SLA were analysed. The results demonstrated that RGR was positively correlated with SLA and LAR (p < 0.01). Furthermore, LAR was positively correlated with LWR and negatively with NAR (p < 0.05). Monocotyledons showed significantly higher LAR, LWR and NAR than dicotyledons, as the latter allocated a greater proportion of biomass to stems, but RGR and SLA showed no such phylogenetic constraint. Therefore SLA is the most reliable indicator of RGR in ecological and functional surveys of prealpine calcareous grasslands, and has the additional advantage that it can be measured from leaf material alone. Lower mean RGR and SLA for calcareous grassland species suggests that this vegetation is less likely to recover from the effects of disturbance than meadows and dry meadows.     

Ecophysiological responses to light availability in three Blechnum species (Pteridophyta, Blechnaceae) of different ecological breadth

In Chilean evergreen temperate forest, fern species of the genus Blechnum occur in diverse microhabitats ranging from large gaps to heavily shaded understoreys. We hypothesised that differences in the ecological breadth of three co-occurring Blechnum species would be associated with differences in magnitude of ecophysiological responses to light availability. We quantified the field distribution of each species in relation to diffuse light availability (% canopy openness), and measured in situ variation in photosynthetic capacity (A), dark respiration (R (d)) and specific leaf area (SLA) across the light gradient. The response of SLA of each species was also evaluated in a common garden in two light conditions (understorey and forest edge). The three Blechnum species differed significantly in the range of light environments occupied (breadth: B. chilense > B. hastatum > B. mochaenum). Despite significant interspecific differences in average A and R (d), the response of these traits to light availability did not differ among species. However, there was significant interspecific variation in both the mean value and the plasticity of SLA to light availability, the species with least ecological breadth (B. mochaenum) showing a flatter reaction norm (lower response) than its two congeners. This pattern was also found in the common garden experiment. The adjustment of leaf morphology (SLA) to light availability appears to be an important mechanism of acclimation in these Blechnum species. The narrow range of light environments occupied by B. mochaenum may be at least partly attributable to its inability to display phenotypic plasticity in SLA to changes in light availability.     

四种亚高山针叶林树种的表型可塑性对不同光照强度的响应

以青藏高原东缘亚高山针叶林群落演替后期种岷江冷杉、演替中后期种粗枝云杉和青榨槭、及先锋树种红桦为材料,研究了不同光强下生长的4种树苗生长、生物量分配、叶片形态和光合特性,探讨植物幼苗的形态和生理特征的表型可塑性与光适应的关系。结果表明：（1）弱光环境中生长的4种植物的基茎、相对生长速率、叶片厚度、根重比、最大净光合速率、光饱和点、光补偿点、暗呼吸速率较低,而比叶面积、地上／地下生物量、茎长／茎重、叶重比和茎重比较高。（2）大部分光环境下岷江冷杉幼苗的最大净光合速率和暗呼吸速率低于粗枝云杉,青榨槭幼苗的最大净光合速率和暗呼吸速率略低于红桦。（3）高光强下生长的粗枝云杉和红桦幼苗的相对生长速率分别大于岷江冷杉和青榨槭,但在低光强下则与之相反。（4）粗枝云杉和红桦幼苗的11种可塑性指数平均值则分别大于岷江冷杉和青榨槭。岷江冷杉适应弱光环境的能力略强于粗枝云杉和红桦,但适应强光的能力较差。生理适应的可塑性指数大于形态适应的可塑性指数,表明前者在4种植物幼苗光适应方面起到了重要的作用。研究结果支持树种的生理生态特性决定了其演替状况和生境选择的假说。     

Differences in seedling growth behaviour among species: trait correlations across species, and trait shifts along nutrient compared to rainfall gradients

1 Species-pairs from woody dicot lineages were chosen as phylogenetically independent contrasts (PICs) to represent evolutionary divergences along gradients of rainfall and nutrient stress, and within particular habitat types, in New South Wales, Australia. Seedlings were grown under controlled, favourable conditions and measurements were made for various growth, morphological and allocation traits.
2 Trait correlations across all species were identified, particularly with respect to seedling relative growth rate (RGR) and specific leaf area (SLA), a fundamental measure of allocation strategy that reflects the light-capture area deployed per unit of photosynthate invested in leaves.
3 Across all species, SLA, specific root length (SRL) and seed reserve mass were the strongest predictors of seedling RGR. That is, a syndrome of leaf and root surface maximization and low seed mass was typical of high RGR plants. This may be a high-risk strategy for individual seedlings, but one presumably mitigated by a larger number of seedlings being produced, increasing the chance that at least one will find itself in a favourable situation.
4 Syndromes of repeated attribute divergence were identified in the two sets of gradient PICs. Species from lower resource habitats generally had lower SLA. Thus, in this important respect the two gradients appeared to be variants of a more general 'stress' gradient.
5 However, trends in biomass allocation, tissue density, root morphology and seed reserve mass differed between gradients. While SLA and RGR tended to shift together along gradients and in within-habitat PICs, no single attribute emerged as the common, primary factor driving RGR divergences within contrasts. Within-habitat attribute shifts were of similar magnitude to those along gradients.     

Plasticity in seedling morphology,biomass allocation and physiology among ten temperate tree species in response to shade is related to shade tolerance and not leaf habit

• Mechanisms of shade tolerance in tree seedlings, and thus growth in shade, may differ by leaf habit and vary with ontogeny following seed germination. To examine early responses of seedlings to shade in relation to morphological, physiological and biomass allocation traits, we compared seedlings of 10 temperate species, varying in their leaf habit (broadleaved versus needle‐leaved) and observed tolerance to shade, when growing in two contrasting light treatments – open (about 20% of full sunlight) and shade (about 5% of full sunlight).
• We analyzed biomass allocation and its response to shade using allometric relationships. We also measured leaf gas exchange rates and leaf N in the two light treatments.
• Compared to the open treatment, shading significantly increased traits typically associated with high relative growth rate (RGR) – leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), and allocation of biomass into leaves, and reduced seedling mass and allocation to roots, and net assimilation rate (NAR). Interestingly, RGR was not affected by light treatment, likely because of morphological and physiological adjustments in shaded plants that offset reductions of in situ net assimilation of carbon in shade. Leaf area‐based rates of light‐saturated leaf gas exchange differed among species groups, but not between light treatments, as leaf N concentration increased in concert with increased SLA in shade.
• We found little evidence to support the hypothesis of a increased plasticity of broadleaved species compared to needle‐leaved conifers in response to shade. However, an expectation of higher plasticity in shade‐intolerant species than in shade‐tolerant ones, and in leaf and plant morphology than in biomass allocation was supported across species of contrasting leaf habit.