千岛湖次生林优势种植物光合特性对不同光环境的响应

在林窗、林缘、林下3种自然光环境下,对千岛湖次生林优势种马尾松、苦槠、石栎和青冈栎在不同季节的光合作用日变化、光响应、CO2响应和叶绿素荧光参数进行比较,探讨优势种对光环境的适应及响应的差异,以期了解群落演替的内在机制.结果表明:在3种光环境下,马尾松、苦槠的日均净光合速率(Pn)为夏季最高,石栎、青冈栎为秋季最高.在林窗、林缘中,年均最大净光合速率(Amax)、光饱和点(LSP)、光补偿点(LCP)、暗呼吸速率(Rd)均为马尾松最高,苦槠次之,青冈栎和石栎最低;林下生境中,青冈栎的年均Amax、表观量子效率(AQY)最高,其次是石栎和苦槠,马尾松最低.3种生境中,马尾松的年均最大羧化速率(Vc max)、最大电子传递速率(Jmax)和磷酸丙糖利用率(TPU)均显著高于其他3种优势种.马尾松、苦槠4个季节的PSII最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)均为林窗最高,石栎、青冈栎为林下最高;马尾松、苦槠的Fv/Fm最大值出现在夏季,石栎、青冈栎出现在秋季.马尾松、苦槠更适合生长于林窗等高光强生境中,而石栎、青冈栎在林下等低光强生境中生长较好.随着演替的进程,群落郁闭度增大,石栎和青冈栎将取代马尾松和苦槠成为群落演替顶极阶段的优势种.     

浙江天台山七子花群落主要植物种类的光合特性

对分布在浙江天台山的七子花群落主要植物种类的光合生理生态特性进行了研究。结果表明：夏季,位于群落冠层上层、林窗、林缘的七子花及主要伴生植物叶片的光合日进程均呈“双峰“曲线,有明显的光合“午休“现象。而位于冠层中、下层以及林下的七子花、草本植物,其光合日进程曲线平缓。从冠层上层到下层,七子花叶片的日均净光合速率（Pn）呈下降趋势。林窗、林缘的七子花小树叶片日均Pn比林下大,冠层上层的七子花中树叶片与林窗、林缘的小树叶片日均Pn差异不显著。七子花在不同生境中与伴生植物相比,日均Pn较低,光合能力较弱。同一植株七子花冠层上层叶片叶绿素含量最低,下层次之,中层最高。阴生草本植物在弱光下仍有很高的叶绿素含量。植物叶片的光合能力大小与叶绿素含量高低不呈正相关。相对常绿树种而言,七子花光补偿点较高、光饱和点较低,对光适应的生态幅度较窄。     

天台山东南石栎光合生理生态特性

分别对林窗、林缘和林下 3种生境的东南石栎光合生理生态特性进行了研究。结果表明 ,林窗、林缘生境的东南石栎在 6月、8月和 11月晴天 ,净光合速率日进程为双峰型 ,2月晴天为单峰型 ;林下一年不同月份的净光合速率日进程均为单峰型。 8月 ,东南石栎叶片已发育成熟 ,叶绿素含量高 ,硝酸还原酶活力大 ,水热条件优越 ,光照强 ,此时光合能力达到一年中的高峰。在 8月 ,东南石栎的光补偿点最低 ,光饱和点最高 ;东南石栎的光补偿点较低、光饱和点较高 ,其对光适应的生态幅较宽。东南石栎日均净光合速率比伴生种类高 ,有利于其在群落中占领空间取得优势地位     

极小种群野生植物黄梅秤锤树的光合生理特性

黄梅秤锤树(Sinojackia huangmeiensis)是我国特有种,被列为国家Ⅱ级重点保护植物和极小种群野生植物。为探讨黄梅秤锤树对不同光环境的响应与适应,选择3种生境中(林窗、林下、全光照)的植株为研究对象,比较不同生境中叶片表型性状、光合特征和叶绿素荧光特征。结果表明：林窗和林下生境黄梅秤锤树的比叶面积(SLA)显著高于全光照生境,叶厚度(LT)和叶干物质含量(LDMC)显著低于全光照生境;最大净光合速率(P_max)和光饱和点(LSP)在全光照生境中最高,光补偿点(LCP)和暗呼吸速率(R_d)在林下生境中最低;林窗和全光照生境黄梅秤锤树的表观电子传递速率(ETR)、PSⅡ实际光量子产量[Y(II)]、光化学猝灭系数(qP)和非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)都高于林下生境。黄梅秤锤树通过增加SLA,降低LCP、R_d和NPQ来适应弱光环境,通过增加LT、LDMC、LSP和NPQ来适应强光环境,对不同的生境表现出较强的适应性,对其种群更新与维持具有重要意义,也为其人工引种的成功提供重要保障。     

不同生境朝鲜淫羊藿生长与光合特征

选择朝鲜淫羊藿野外生存的林缘、林窗和林下3种生境,研究朝鲜淫羊藿形态特征、光合特征、叶绿素含量、生物量积累及分配对不同光环境的响应。结果表明,朝鲜淫羊藿株高、茎径、总叶面积等形态指标随光照强度减弱明显减小,各生境间差异显著。随光照强度降低,朝鲜淫羊藿的净光合速率、水分利用效率、气孔限制值、叶绿素a/b降低,而胞间CO2浓度、光能利用效率、叶绿素b和总叶绿素含量增加。各器官生物量积累随光照强度减弱而降低,各生境间差异极显著,其中,林缘地上生物量是林窗的1.6倍,林下的3.1倍。生物量分配方面,叶生物量比、叶面积比率、比叶面积随光照强度减弱而增加,根状茎生物量比和根冠比降低,林缘、林窗与林下差异极显著;林下、林缘、林窗朝鲜淫羊藿地上部分生物量比分别为0.733、0.659、0.664,林下朝鲜淫羊藿与林缘、林窗存在不同的光利用策略和生存策略。朝鲜淫羊藿作为极易遭受利用和生境破坏威胁的物种,宜在适度荫闭的林缘和疏林下开展野生抚育或仿生态栽培。     

不同生境下的象头花光合生理特性探究

以象头花(Arisaema franchetianum Engl.)为研究对象, 对林缘、林下两种生境中其光合特性进行对比研究, 探究象头花对不同生境适应和响应机制。用便携式光合仪Li-6400XT测量两种生境中象头花的光响应曲线, 并采用5种光响应模型对其进行拟合, 结合测定不同生境下的环境因子及植株长势。结果表明: (1)两种生境中象头花光响应曲线的最适模型均为改进指数模型(2)林缘、林下的光饱和点(LSP)分别为516.405 μmol•m-2•s-1、638.500 μmol•m-2•s-1, 最大净光合速率(Pmax)分别为4.290 μmol•m-2•s-1、6.740 μmol•m-2•s-1; (3)两种生境中象头花叶片的气孔导度(Cs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、空气温度(Tair)、样品室相对湿度(RH-S)和胞间CO2浓度(Ci)与净光合速率(Pn)相关性极为显著(P<0.01); (4)林缘、林下两种生境中的自然环境因子温度、湿度未见显著差异(P>0.05), 仅林缘光照显著高于林下光照(P<0.05), 但林下植株长势更好。得出如下结论: 象头花为阴生植物, 适于在林下生长, 在实际的自然栽培中林下光照(0.28±0.17%)可作为遮光种植的初步参照。     

川西亚高山森林林窗不同时期土壤转化酶和脲酶活性的特征

为了解川西亚高山森林林窗对不同时期土壤生态过程的影响,于2012年6月—2013年5月期间,根据温度动态过程,对比研究了生长季节(土壤完全融化期、生长季节前期和生长季节后期)与非生长季节(冻结初期、深冻期和融化期)川西亚高山粗枝云杉(Picea asperata)人工林林窗中心、林缘和林下土壤有机层和矿质土壤层转化酶和脲酶活性变化过程。结果表明:林窗不同区域中,土壤有机层转化酶活性均高于矿质土壤层;在生长季节,土壤有机层和矿质土转化酶活性表现为:林窗中心林下林缘,而脲酶活性表现为:林窗中心林缘林下。冻结初期和深冻期林窗中心土壤转化酶活性均高于林缘和林下,而在融化期林下转化酶活性高于林窗中心和林缘;冻结初期和融化期林下土壤脲酶活性显著高于林窗中心和林缘,而在深冻期林窗不同区域土壤脲酶活性没有显著差异。林窗不同区域在不同时期对土壤转化酶和脲酶活性的响应有着深刻影响。     

濒危植物南川升麻光合生理生态的初步研究

 本文研究了南川升麻在林缘、林窗和林下3种生境中的光合特性和光合、呼吸日进程。结果表明,在3种生境下光补偿点无显著差异,在20μmol·m-1·s-2左右,而光饱合点则有较大差异。在3种生境下的光合日变化曲线均为单峰曲线,无“午休”现象,光合峰值是林缘>林窗>林下。影响光合日进程的最主要的生态因子为光合有效辐射强度;光合最适温度较低。呼吸日进程在3种生境下没有显著差异,与温度日变化基本一致。     

林窗面积对香椿生长及光合生理特性的影响

研究了川中丘陵区柏木人工林内人造林窗面积[50 m2(Ⅰ),100 m2(Ⅱ)和200 m2(Ⅲ),旷地(CK)]对香椿生长、光合特性及相关生理特征的影响。结果表明:林窗面积对香椿的树高、地径和冠面积影响显著,以林窗Ⅱ最大,CK最小;随着林窗面积的增加,香椿的日均净光合速率增加,但午时的净光合速率初始量子效率、近光饱和点、最大净光合速率、光氮利用率、光能利用效率都显著降低,光合能力下降;香椿的叶绿素a/b、叶片厚度、比叶鲜重、比叶干重、单位面积叶氮含量、丙二醛、超氧化物歧化酶及可溶性蛋白含量随着林窗面积的增加而增加,而叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量都降低,表明香椿对因林窗面积变化而导致的光强改变有较强的适应性,这在一定程度上促进了生长及光合能力的差异;旷地内香椿的"光合午休"及林窗内日均Pn的降低可归因于非气孔因素限制。说明香椿对生境的变化适应性较强,而且100 m2的林窗在其形成初期能有效促进香椿维持较高的生产力和光合能力。     

不同光环境下亚热带常绿阔叶树种和落叶阔叶树种幼苗的叶形态和光合生理特征

由于地球环境的演变,亚热带常绿阔叶林中常有落叶阔叶成分的存在,但从生态角度,其存在的机理尚不清楚.通过比较研究常绿阔叶优势树种大头茶与落叶阔叶树种枫香幼苗的叶形态和光合生理特征对不同光环境(旷地、林窗、林下)的响应,尝试解释落叶成分遗留的基础.结果表明:①枫香具有较小的比叶重(LMA)和较高的光合氮利用效率(PNUE),在高光环境中,并未受到光抑制,具有较高的光合可塑性,尤其在林窗,表现出较大头茶高3倍的光合能力(Pnmax),保证了其在较短的生长季节积累更多的光合产物,增强与常绿树种的竞争力;②常绿阔叶树种大头茶具有较大的LMA,在旷地受到严重的光抑制,将更多的氮用于化学防御中.在林窗和林下具有相对高的Pnmax,生长幅度较广,但在林下将更多的氮投入到比生长更为重要的生存消耗中.而枫香在林下响应表现为Rubisco活性降低,光合受阻;③两树种在林窗均表现出较高的光合适应性,具有最大的光合能力(Pnmax)及合理的氮在光合机构中的分配系数,说明林窗是它们更新的最佳环境.但枫香的光合作用更依赖于光照,而大头茶则更依赖于CO2浓度;④总之,落叶阔叶树种以其较高的形态可塑性和对高光的光合生理可塑性能够在常绿阔叶林种生存、生长,并成为常绿阔叶林中固有成分的主要原因之一.     

不同生境下濒危植物膝柄木幼树的生态适应性

膝柄木是我国极度濒危植物,也是广西滨海过渡带天然植被的重要组成树种.为了解光因子对膝柄木天然更新的限制影响,该文对林缘、林窗、林下三种不同光照生境下膝柄木幼树的生理和生长指标的年际变化特征进行了研究.结果表明:(1)光合有效辐射不足影响了膝柄木幼树的生长.林下幼树的地径、株高和叶面积增长量显著降低,而生长于光照充足林缘...     

森林光环境对4种乔木幼树光合和光谱反射特性的影响

在林窗、林缘、林下3种自然光环境下,对吉林蛟河阔叶红松林常见树种拧筋槭、白牛槭、色木槭和红松的光合和光谱特性进行对比研究,以期从生理生态角度探讨它们对自然光环境的适应能力和响应机制。结果表明：4种乔木幼树叶片的光饱和点(LSP)和光补偿点(LCP)随着生长环境光强的下降而减小,林下各树种幼树LSP和LCP显著低于林窗内幼树(P<0.05);除白牛槭外林下其他树种最大净光合效率(P_nmax)均显著小于林窗内幼树(P<0.05);不同树种幼树表观量子效率(AQY)和暗呼吸速率(R_d)随光环境的变化并没有出现明显的变化规律,各环境间差异较小。除白牛槭外,其他树种幼树叶绿素归一化指数(Chl NDI)随环境光强的减少而增大,林下树种的光化学反射指数(PRI)普遍高于光条件更好环境下树种,说明林下幼树叶片叶绿素含量和光合速率大于其他光环境;各树种植物叶片水分指数(WI)在不同光环境之间存在显著差异,环境光强越大植物叶片WI越小,植物叶片水分浓度越小。林缘下3种槭属幼树结构不敏感植被光谱指数(SIPI)显著小于其他光环境(P<0.05)...     

干旱胁迫下胡杨光合光响应过程模拟与模型比较

以塔里木干旱荒漠区2年生胡杨幼苗为试材,盆栽模拟荒漠生境5种水分梯度,利用Li-6400便携式光合作用系统测定胡杨在干旱胁迫下光合作用的光响应过程,并采用4种光响应模型对其进行拟合与比较,以期优选出适用于干旱荒漠环境的光响应模型,阐明胡杨光合作用对干旱胁迫的响应规律与适应机制。结果表明:胡杨净光合速率(P_n)随干旱胁迫加剧呈下降趋势,同一光强(PAR)下P_n降幅增大。中度干旱胁迫以下(土壤相对含水量,RSWC45%)胡杨在高PAR下仍能维持相对较高P_n,光抑制程度轻;直角双曲线、非直角双曲线和指数模型均可较好地模拟P_n-PAR响应过程,但最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))、光饱和点(LSP)拟合值与实测值差异极显著(P0.01)。中度干旱胁迫以上(RSWC45%)胡杨P_n随PAR升高而显著下降,LSP与P_(nmax)极显著降低,光抑制现象明显;仅直角双曲线修正模型拟合的胡杨光响应过程、光响应参数与实际情况较吻合。4种模型模拟效果顺序:直角双曲线修正模型指数模型非直角双曲线模型直角双曲线模型。4种光响应模型对干旱胁迫具有不同的适应性,直角双曲线修正模型适用于各种水分条件,尤其适用于干旱荒漠生境,其它3种模型适用于水分条件较好的生境。光响应特征参数对干旱胁迫的响应阈值不同。随干旱胁迫加剧,胡杨表观量子效率(AQY)、P_n、LSP与P_(nmax)持续降低,严重干旱胁迫下暗呼吸速率(R_d)、LCP反而明显增大。RSWC45%胡杨仍能保持较高的AQY、P_(nmax)、LSP,RSWC45%其P_(nmax)、LSP显著降低,干旱胁迫显著抑制了胡杨光合进程和光强耐受范围,降低了光合效率,严重干旱胁迫严重影响胡杨苗木的正常生长和光合作用。干旱荒漠环境下,胡杨采取缩窄光照生态幅、降低光能利用率和减少呼吸消耗来积极抵御荒漠干旱逆境伤害的生态对策。因此,从极端干旱荒漠区种群保护与植被恢复角度来看,胡杨林土壤水分应维持在RSWC 50%左右,符合干旱缺水地区植物生长和高效用水的管理原则。     

贝壳砂生境干旱胁迫下杠柳叶片光合光响应模型比较

以黄河三角洲贝壳堤岛3年生杠柳(Periploca sepium)苗木为试验材料, 模拟设置贝壳砂生境下的4种水分梯度, 利用CIRAS-2型光合作用系统测定杠柳叶片在不同干旱胁迫下的光合作用光响应过程, 采用4种光响应模型进行拟合分析, 以比较贝壳砂生境干旱胁迫下适宜的光响应模型, 探讨最佳光响应模型参数对干旱胁迫的适应规律。结果表明: 4种模型对杠柳叶片光合作用光响应过程拟合效果的优劣顺序为: 直角双曲线修正模型>非直角双曲线模型>指数模型>直角双曲线模型, 后3种模型均为没有极值的函数, 故不能很好地拟合光响应曲线光抑制过程, 并不能直接求解最大净光合速率(P_nmax)和光饱和点(LSP)。光响应参数拟合效果最佳表现为: 非直角双曲线模型的暗呼吸速率(R_d), 直角双曲线模型的光补偿点(LCP), 直角双曲线修正模型的P_nmax和LSP。4种光响应模型对干旱胁迫具有不同的适应性, 直角双曲线修正模型适应各种水分条件, 直角双曲线模型和指数模型较适合轻度干旱胁迫条件, 非直角双曲线模型较适合重度干旱胁迫条件。随干旱胁迫的加剧, 光响应参数表观量子效率(AQY)、R_d和LCP先升高后下降, 净光合速率(P_n)、P_nmax和LSP逐渐下降。轻度、中度和重度干旱胁迫下, LSP分别比对照下降5.2%、16.3%和34.5%, P_nmax分别比对照下降17.8%、39.0%和59.0%。水分充足条件下, 杠柳叶片光能利用最强, 光照生态幅最宽; 重度干旱胁迫下, 杠柳叶片表现出明显的光饱和、光抑制现象, 光能利用减弱, 光合能力受到较大限制。     

Photosynthetic Physiological Characteristics of Tetracentron sinense Oliv in Different DBH Classes and the Factors Restricting Regeneration

Tetracentron sinense is an endangered tree species mainly distributed in Western China. In natural population of T. sinense, fewer young individuals and their concentration in the forest understory, whereas middle-aged individuals gradually transited from the understory to the forest gap and edge habitats, resulting in poverty natural population regeneration. Individuals from different age classes of T. sinense may differ in their photosynthetic adaptability to the different light conditions in the understory, forest gaps and forest edges. Whether these differences are the main factors limiting the natural regeneration of this species remains unclear. This study aims at elucidate the changes in photosynthetic physiological characteristics with age, and discuss the effective conservation and management strategies for this species. We used the Li-6400XT photosynthetic analyzer to examine the photosynthesis characteristics (including P_n-PAR, P_n-CO₂ and SLA) of T. sinense individuals of different diameters at breast height (DBH) classes, and analyzed the different DBH individuals' differences in photosynthetic and physiological. The results showed that the photosynthetic adaptability of T. sinense to a light environment would be different throughout the life cycle. The ability to adapt to the light environment, CO₂ utilization potential and accumulation of photosynthetic substances was significantly higher in the reproductive initiation stage of T. sinense than other stages. T. sinense individuals' environmental adaptability in the pre-reproductive stage was relatively weak, which may be one of the main factors limiting natural regeneration. Therefore, the area of forest gaps in T. sinense natural populations should be expanded by artificial interference to facilitate the growth of young individuals and promote population regeneration.

     

Photosynthetic acclimation in shade-developed leaves of Euterpe edulis Mart (Arecaceae) after long-term exposure to high light

To analyze acclimation of Euterpe edulis seedlings to changes in light availability, we transferred three-year-old seedlings cultivated for six months under natural shade understory [≈ 1.3 mol(photon) m^?2 d^?1] to a forest gap [≈ 25.0 mol(photon) m^?2 d^?1]. After the transfer, changes in chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf gas-exchange parameters, as well as in the light-response curves of photosynthesis and photosynthetic induction parameters, were analyzed during the following 110 days. Simultaneously measured photosynthetic characteristics in the shaded seedlings grown in understory served as the control. Despite the fact that the understory seedlings were under suboptimal conditions to achieve their light-saturated net photosynthetic rate (P _Nmax), light-response curves and photosynthetic induction parameters indicated that the species had the low respiration rate and a fast opening of stomata in response to the intermittent occurrence of sunflecks, which exerted a feed-forward stimulation on P _Nmax. Sudden exposure to high light induced photoinhibition during the first week after the transfer of seedlings to gap, as it was shown by the abrupt decline of the maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m). The photoinhibition showed the time-dependent dynamics, as the F_v/F_m of the seedlings transferred to the forest gap recovered completely after 110 days. Furthermore, the net photosynthetic rate increased 3.5-fold in relation to priorexposure values. In summary, these data indicated that more than 21 days was required for the shade-acclimated seedlings to recover from photoinhibition and to relax induction photosynthetic limitations following the sudden exposure to high light. Moreover, the species responded very quickly to light availability; it highlights the importance of sunflecks to understory seedlings.     

Trade-offs between light interception and leaf water shedding: a comparison of shade- and sun-adapted species in a subtropical rainforest

Species in high-rainfall regions have two major alternative approaches to quickly drain off water, i.e., increasing leaf inclination angles relative to the horizontal plane, or developing long leaf drip tips. We hypothesized that shade-adapted species will have more pronounced leaf drip tips but not greater inclination angles (which can reduce the ability to intercept light) compared to sun-adapted species and that length of leaf drip tips will be negatively correlated with photosynthetic capacity [characterized by light-saturated net photosynthetic rates (A _max), associated light compensation points (LCP), and light saturation points (LSP)]. We tested this hypothesis by measuring morphological and physiological traits that are associated with light-interception and water shedding for seven shade-adapted shrub species, ten sun-adapted understory shrub species, and 15 sun-adapted tree species in a subtropical Chinese rainforest, where mean annual precipitation is around 1,600 mm. Shade-adapted understory species had lower LMA, A _max, LSP, and LCP compared to understory or canopy sun-adapted species; their leaf and twig inclination angles were significantly smaller and leaf drip tips were significantly longer than those in sun-adapted species. This suggests that shade-adapted understory species tend to develop pronounced leaf drip tips but not large leaf inclination angles to shed water. The length of leaf drip tips was negatively correlated with leaf inclination angles and photosynthetic capacity. These relationships were consistent between ordinary regression and phylogenetic generalized least squares analyses. Our study illustrates the trade-offs between light interception and leaf water shedding and indicates that length of leaf drip tips can be used as an indicator of adaptation to shady conditions and overall photosynthetic performance of shrub species in subtropical rainforests.     

Spatial and seasonal patterns of microsite light availability in a remnant fragment of deciduous riparian forest and their implication in the conservation ofArisaema heterophyllum, a threatened plant species

Seasonal and spatial patterns of light availability were investigated in the understory of a small fragment (approximately 1300 m²) of a riparian deciduous forest of the Kokai River in central Japan dominated byQuercus acutissima Carruth., with the aim to understand the characteristics of microsite light availability forArisaema heterophyllum Blume, a threatened plant species uniquely associated with the riparian habitat. Diffuse site factor, which is the ratio of PFD (photon flux density, 400–700 nm) at a microsite to the open sky reference under diffuse light condition, was shown to be a satisfactory index for the evaluation of light availability for the understory plants in the habitat. Diffuse site factor 1,0 1,000 understory microsites along a 20 m transect from the edge to the interior of the forest, showed conspicuous seasonal changes in both mean and variation. Light availability decreased with seasonal tree canopy regeneration, with the highest spatial heterogeneity being recorded during the time of canopy closure. Auto-correlations of microsite light availability between different seasons were considerably high, suggesting the stability of relative light availability for individual microsites throughout the growing season ofA. heterophyllum. Fairly high light availability during summer season, which surpassed 20% of the open sky reference in most microsites, would be important for the growth and persistence of summer herbaceous plants likeA. heterophyllum.     

荆条叶性状对野外不同光环境的表型可塑性

光照是影响植物生长和分布的重要环境因子。对生长在野外5种不同光环境下(林外、阔叶林林缘、阔叶林林下、针叶林林窗和针叶林林下)的荆条的叶片进行取样研究,通过对光合作用光响应曲线、叶绿素荧光、叶绿素含量、叶片氮磷含量以及叶片形态的测量,来反映荆条对不同光环境的表型可塑性。研究结果表明,荆条叶片对于野外不同的光环境具有很好的适应机制,叶片功能性状受到结构性状的调节。低光下通过高的比叶面积(SLA)、单位质量叶绿素含量、光系统II最大量子产量,低的暗呼吸速率、光饱和点、光补偿点、叶绿素a,b的比值来提高对光能的利用效率,维持生长;高光下则通过与SLA有关的叶片结构的变化对光合作用进行调节。大多数的叶性状只受到日光照总量的影响,SLA的大小与日最高光强有关,可以对不同日变化模式的光照做出迅速的响应,是适应不同光照的敏感指标。尽管光照是不同光环境下影响荆条叶性状的主要环境因子,土壤养分含量同样会对叶性状产生影响,高土壤养分下的高叶长与叶柄长的比值体现了植物对资源获取和支撑结构之间分配的权衡。