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.     

生物量分配影响三种不同海拔起源的松树生长

松属的思茅松（Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis）、云南松（P. yunnanensis）和高山松（P. densata）是组成中国西南不同海拔针叶森林的主要树种,然而这三个树种在发育速度尤其是高生长方面表现出明显的差异。为了弄清引起这些变异的生理和形态学原因,本文将三种松树种植于同一环境下,对其光合作用、生物量分配、生长速率和叶片性状进行了研究。研究发现,与来源于高海拔的树种相比,低海拔的树种有更高的株高、以及更大的干物质重量、相对生长速率、叶质比、茎质比和比叶面积,但叶片氮含量、碳含量和根质比较低。高海拔树种的光合速率并不明显低于低海拔树种。相对生长速率和树高均与叶质比呈显著正相关,与根质比负相关,但与最大光合速率没有显著关系。这些结果表明,生物量的分配式样和长期的形态特性能够更好地预测不同海拔松树的生长表现。     

生物量分配影响三种不同海拔起源的松树生长

松属的思茅松（Pinus kesiya var．1angbianensis）、云南松（P．yunnanensis）和高山松（P．densata）是组成中国西南不同海拔针叶森林的主要树种,然而这三个树种在发育速度尤其是高生长方面表现出明显的差异。为了弄清引起这些变异的生理和形态学原因．本文将三种松树种植于同一环境下,对其光合作用、生物量分配、生长速率和叶片性状进行了研究。研究发现,与来源于高海拔的树种相比,低海拔的树种有更高的株高、以及更大的干物质重量、相对生长速率、叶质比、茎质比和比叶面积,但叶片氮含量、碳含量和根质比较低。高海拔树种的光合速率并不明显低于低海拔树种。相对生长速率和树高均与叶质比呈显著正相关,与根质比负相关,但与最大光合速率没有显著关系。这些结果表明,生物量的分配式样和长期的形态特性能够更好地预测不同海拔松树的生长表现。     

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。     

两种光强下木质藤本与树木幼苗的竞争关系

 为了探讨木质藤本和树木幼苗的相互作用关系,对两种光强(4%和35%的光强)、4种竞争处理下(全竞争、地上竞争、地下竞争和无竞争),一种 需光木质藤本(刺果藤(Byttneria grandifolia))和3个树种(耐荫种：五桠果木姜子(Litsea dilleniifolia)和绒毛番龙眼(Pometia tomentosa);需光种：羊蹄甲(Bauhinia variegata))幼苗的地上部分和地下部分的竞争关系进行了研究。结果表明：木质藤本的竞争显著影响 着3种树木幼苗的光合能力、形态特征和生长,但生长环境的不同光强影响地上部分竞争和地下部分竞争的相对强度。在低光下,地上部分竞争 比地下部分竞争对3种树木幼苗的相对生长速率(Relative growth rate,RGR)和光合能力造成更大的影响;而高光下,地下竞争对树木幼苗的 生长有更强的抑制作用。不同的竞争处理和光强对树木幼苗的生物量积累造成显著的影响。光强对3种树种的比叶面积(Specific leaf area, SLA)和叶面积比(Leaf area ratio,LAR)有显著的抑制作用,但竞争只对需光的羊蹄甲的SLA和LAR有显著影响。不同的光照和竞争处理之间, 同种植物表现出不同的表型特征。由于竞争的影响,苗木在形态上较为矮小、叶片数目较少、叶面积减小,但是长细比改变较少 。     

Relative growth rate in phylogenetically related deciduous and evergreen woody species

Relative growth rate (RGR) and other growth parameters were studied in eight pairs of closely related deciduous and evergreen species (within the same genus or family). The main objective of this study was to test the association between leaf turnover rate and RGR, specific leaf area (SLA, leaf area/leaf dry weight) and other growth variables. Plants were grown for 6 months in a greenhouse under favourable water and nutrient conditions. Variation in RGR among the 16 woody species was due mainly to differences in morphological parameters such as leaf area ratio (LAR, whole plant area/whole plant dry weight) and SLA). However, temporal variation in RGR within species was due mainly to variation in net assimilation rate. When phylogeny was not taken into account, analyses showed that deciduous species grew faster than evergreens. In contrast, when phylogeny was taken into account, the data analysis showed that a faster RGR is not consistently associated with the deciduous habit (in five pairs it was, but in the other three it was not). The faster growth of the deciduous trees (in the five positive contrasts) could be explained by their higher LAR and higher SLA relative to evergreens. The lack of differences in RGR between deciduous and evergreens (in three pairs) was due to the higher leaf mass ratio (LMR, leaf dry biomass/total dry biomass) for the evergreens, which offset the higher SLA of the deciduous species, resulting in a similar LAR in both functional groups (LAR=LMR2SLA). Deciduous species had consistently higher SLA than evergreens. We suggest that SLA, more than RGR, could be an important parameter in determining adaptive advantages of deciduous and evergreen species.     

Light requirements of Australian tropical vs. cool-temperate rainforest tree species show different relationships with seedling growth and functional traits

Background and Aims

A trade-off between shade tolerance and growth in high light is thought to underlie the temporal dynamics of humid forests. On the other hand, it has been suggested that tree species sorting on temperature gradients involves a trade-off between growth rate and cold resistance. Little is known about how these two major trade-offs interact.

Methods

Seedlings of Australian tropical and cool-temperate rainforest trees were grown in glasshouse environments to compare growth versus shade-tolerance trade-offs in these two assemblages. Biomass distribution, photosynthetic capacity and vessel diameters were measured in order to examine the functional correlates of species differences in light requirements and growth rate. Species light requirements were assessed by field estimation of the light compensation point for stem growth.

Results

Light-demanding and shade-tolerant tropical species differed markedly in relative growth rates (RGR), but this trend was less evident among temperate species. This pattern was paralleled by biomass distribution data: specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf area ratio (LAR) of tropical species were significantly positively correlated with compensation points, but not those of cool-temperate species. The relatively slow growth and small SLA and LAR of Tasmanian light-demanders were associated with narrow vessels and low potential sapwood conductivity.

Conclusions

The conservative xylem traits, small LAR and modest RGR of Tasmanian light-demanders are consistent with selection for resistance to freeze–thaw embolism, at the expense of growth rate. Whereas competition for light favours rapid growth in light-demanding trees native to environments with warm, frost-free growing seasons, frost resistance may be an equally important determinant of the fitness of light-demanders in cool-temperate rainforest, as seedlings establishing in large openings are exposed to sub-zero temperatures that can occur throughout most of the year.     

Relative growth rate variation of evergreen and deciduous savanna tree species is driven by different traits

Background and Aims

Plant relative growth rate (RGR) depends on biomass allocation to leaves (leaf mass fraction, LMF), efficient construction of leaf surface area (specific leaf area, SLA) and biomass growth per unit leaf area (net assimilation rate, NAR). Functional groups of species may differ in any of these traits, potentially resulting in (1) differences in mean RGR of groups, and (2) differences in the traits driving RGR variation within each group. We tested these predictions by comparing deciduous and evergreen savanna trees.

Methods

RGR, changes to biomass allocation and leaf morphology, and root non-structural carbohydrate reserves were evaluated for juveniles of 51 savanna species (34 deciduous, 17 evergreen) grown in a common garden experiment. It was anticipated that drivers of RGR would differ between leaf habit groups because deciduous species have to allocate carbohydrates to storage in roots to be able to flush leaves again, which directly compromises their LMF, whereas evergreen species are not subject to this constraint.

Key Results

Evergreen species had greater LMF and RGR than deciduous species. Among deciduous species LMF explained 27 % of RGR variation (SLA 34 % and NAR 29 %), whereas among evergreen species LMF explained between 2 and 17 % of RGR variation (SLA 32–35 % and NAR 38–62 %). RGR and LMF were (negatively) related to carbohydrate storage only among deciduous species.

Conclusions

Trade-offs between investment in carbohydrate reserves and growth occurred only among deciduous species, leading to differences in relative contribution made by the underlying components of RGR between the leaf habit groups. The results suggest that differences in drivers of RGR occur among savanna species because these have different selected strategies for coping with fire disturbance in savannas. It is expected that variation in the drivers of RGR will be found in other functional types that respond differently to particular disturbances.     

Interspecific Variation in RGR and the Underlying Traits among 24 Grass Species Grown in Full Daylight

Abstract: A growth analysis was conducted with 24 central European grass species in full daylight to test whether traits underlying interspecific variation in relative growth rate (RGR) are the same in full daylight as they are at lower light, and whether this depends on the ecological characteristics of the studied species, i.e., their requirements with respect to nutrient and light availability.
In contrast to studies with herbaceous species at lower light, net assimilation rate (NAR) contributed more than leaf area ratio (LAR) or specific leaf area (SLA) to interspecific variation in RGR. This was associated with a larger interspecific variation in NAR than found in experiments with lower light. Without the two most shade-tolerant species, however, the contribution of LAR and its components to interspecific variation in RGR was similar or even higher than that of NAR.
Leaf dry matter content correlated negatively with RGR and was the only component of LAR contributing in a similar manner to variation in LAR and RGR. There was a positive correlation between NAR and biomass allocation to roots, which may be a result of nutrient-limited growth. RGR correlated negatively with biomass allocation to leaves. Leaf thickness did not correlate with RGR, as the positive effect of thin leaves was counterbalanced by their lower NAR.
Low inherent RGR was associated with species from nutrient-poor or shady habitats. Different components constrained growth for these two groups of species, those from nutrient-poor habitats having high leaf dry matter content, while those from shady habitats had thin leaves with low NAR.     

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.     

Hydraulic and photosynthetic characteristics differ between co-generic tree and liana species: a case study of Millettia and Gnetum in tropical forest

木质藤本是热带森林的重要组成部分, 显著影响森林的结构和功能。已有研究发现木质藤本与乔木的水力结构存在显著差异: 木质藤本的缠绕或攀缘茎细小, 但其木质部具有粗大的长导管, 输水效率高, 抗栓塞能力低。为降低基因型差异对比较结果的影响, 该研究选取热带崖豆藤属(Millettia)和买麻藤属(Gnetum)的乔木和木质藤本, 比较同属内不同生长型植物的水力和光合性状的差异, 分析水分传导效率与抗栓塞能力之间以及水力与光合性状之间的相关关系。结果发现: (1)崖豆藤属植物水力性状的种间差异大, 与生活型和需光性有关。耐阴的木质藤本反而具有较低的水分传导效率和较高的抗栓塞能力。(2)买麻藤属植物是裸子植物较为进化的类群(具有导管和阔叶), 其乔木的水分传导效率很低, 但是其木质藤本的水分传导效率高于其他阳生性的被子植物。(3)不论乔木还是木质藤本, 水分传导的有效性与安全性在枝条和叶片水平上均没有显著的权衡关系。(4)与同属乔木相比, 木质藤本的叶片较枝条的抗栓塞能力更强, 在旱季具有更高的最大净光合速率和气孔导度, 支持了木质藤本的“旱季生长优势假说”。该研究揭示了热带木质藤本水力性状的多样性和重要性, 为阐明环境变化对这一重要植物类群的影响, 需要对它们的水力特征进行更广泛的研究。     

Salt effects on functional traits in model and in economically important Lotus species

A common stress on plants is NaCl‐derived soil salinity. Genus Lotus comprises model and economically important species, which have been studied regarding physiological responses to salinity. Leaf area ratio (LAR), root length ratio (RLR) and their components, specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf mass fraction (LMF) and specific root length (SRL) and root mass fraction (RMF) might be affected by high soil salinity. We characterised L. tenuis, L. corniculatus, L. filicaulis, L. creticus, L. burtii and L. japonicus grown under different salt concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 mm NaCl) on the basis of SLA, LMF, SRL and RMF using PCA. We also assessed effects of different salt concentrations on LAR and RLR in each species, and explored whether changes in these traits provide fitness benefit. Salinity (150 mm NaCl) increased LAR in L. burtii and L. corniculatus, but not in the remaining species. The highest salt concentration caused a decrease of RLR in L. japonicus Gifu, but not in the remaining species. Changes in LAR and RLR would not be adaptive, according to adaptiveness analysis, with the exception of SLA changes in L. corniculatus. PCA revealed that under favourable conditions plants optimise surfaces for light and nutrient acquisition (SLA and SRL), whereas at higher salt concentrations they favour carbon allocation to leaves and roots (LMF and RMF) in detriment to their surfaces. PCA also showed that L. creticus subjected to saline treatment was distinguished from the remaining Lotus species. We suggest that augmented carbon partitioning to leaves and roots could constitute a salt‐alleviating mechanism through toxic ion dilution.     

Relative growth rate and biomass allocation in ten woody species with different leaf longevity using phylogenetic independent contrasts (PICs)

In this study, we compare the relative growth rate (RGR) and biomass allocation of 10 woody species (5 deciduous and 5 evergreen) from the Mediterranean region using phylogenetic independent contrasts (PICs) to test if these two functional groups differ in these traits. In general, the results were similar when using PICs or without taking into account phylogenetic relations. Deciduous species had a higher RGR than evergreen species, due to the higher net assimilation rate (NAR). Deciduous species had a higher specific leaf area (SLA) but a lower leaf mass ratio (LMR), resulting in a similar LAR for deciduous and evergreen species (LAR = SLA x LMR). In some cases, the use of PICs revealed patterns that would not have appeared if phylogeny had been overlooked. For example, there was no significant correlation between RGR and final dry mass (after 4 months of growth) but PICs revealed that there was a positive relation between these two variables in all deciduous-evergreen pairs. In general, RGR decreased with time and this temporal variation was due primarily to NAR variations (r = 0.79, p < 0.01), and also to variations in LAR (r = 0.69, p < 0.05). Considering the phylogeny, the only variable constantly different for all deciduous-evergreen pairs was SLA. This result, and the fact that SLA was the best correlated variable with RGR (r = 0.81, p < 0.01), reinforce the value of SLA as a variable closely associated to growth and to the functional groups (deciduous vs. evergreen).     

Differential impact of liana colonization on the leaf functional traits of co-occurring deciduous and evergreen trees in a tropical dry scrub forest

The present study was carried out to analyze the leaf functional traits of co-occurring evergreen and deciduous tree species in a tropical dry scrub forest. This study also intended to check whether the species with contrasting leaf habits differ in their leaf trait plasticity, responding to the canopy infestation by lianas. A total of 11 leaf functional traits were studied for eight tree species with contrasting leaf habits (evergreen and deciduous) and liana-colonization status (with or without liana). In the liana-free environment (L^–), evergreen trees had significantly higher leaf tissue density (LTD) and total chlorophyll (CHL_t) than the deciduous species. Whereas the deciduous trees had higher specific leaf area (SLA) and mass-based leaf nitrogen concentration (N_mass). The leaf trait-pair relationship in the present study agreed with the well-established global trait-pair relationships (leaf thickness (LT) vs. SLA, N_mass vs. LT, SLA vs. N_mass, and LDMC vs. SLA). There was a significant difference between L⁺ and L^– individuals in leaf area (LA), petiole length (PL), SLA, LDMC, and CHL_t in the deciduous species. On the other hand, evergreen species showed marked differences across LT, SLA, LTD, N_mass, and chlorophyll components between L⁺ and L^– individuals of the same species. The results revealed the differential impact of liana colonization on the host trees with contrasting leaf habits. The deciduous species with the acquisitive strategy can have a competitive advantage over evergreen species in the exposed environments (L^–), whereas evergreen species with shade-tolerant properties were better acclimated to the shaded environments (L⁺). Therefore, liana colonization can significantly impact the C-fixation strategies of the host trees by altering their light environment and further, the magnitude of such impact may vary among species of different leaf habits. The result also indicated the patterns of convergence and divergence in some of the leaf functional traits between evergreen and deciduous species explaining the patterns of species co-existence.

     

Drought affects the coordination of belowground and aboveground resource‐related traits in Solidago canadensis in China

Quantifying patterns of variation and coordination of plant functional traits can help to understand the mechanisms underlying both invasiveness and adaptation of plants. Little is known about the coordinated variations of performance and functional traits of different organs in invasive plants, especially in response to their adaptation to environmental stressors. To identify the responses of the invasive species Solidago canadensis to drought, 180 individuals were randomly collected from 15 populations and 212 ramets were replanted in a greenhouse to investigate both the response and coordination between root and leaf functional traits. Drought significantly decreased plant growth and most of the root and leaf functional traits, that is, root length, surface area, volume and leaf size, number, and mass fraction, except for the root length ratio and root mass fraction. Phenotypic plasticity was higher in root traits than in leaf traits in response to drought, and populations did not differ significantly. The plasticity of most root functional traits, that is, root length (RL), root surface area (RSA), root volume (RV), and root mass fraction (RMF), were significantly positively correlated with biomass between control and drought. However, the opposite was found for leaf functional traits, that is, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf area ratio (LAR), and leaf mass fraction (LMF). Drought enhanced the relationship between root and leaf, that is, 26 pairwise root–leaf traits were significantly correlated under drought, while only 15 pairwise root–leaf traits were significantly correlated under control conditions. Significant correlations were found between biomass and all measured functional traits except for leaf size. RV, root length ratio, RMF, total area of leaves, and LMF responded differently to water availability. These responses enable S. canadensis to cope with drought conditions and may help to explain the reason of the vast ecological amplitude of this species.     

光强对两种入侵植物生物量分配、叶片形态和相对生长速率的影响

 比较研究了不同光强下生长的（透光率分别为12.5%、36%、50%、100%）两种入侵性不同的外来种——紫茎泽兰（Eupatorium adenophorum）和兰花菊三七（Gynura sp.）的生物量分配、叶片形态和生长特性。结果表明: 1）两种植物叶片形态对光环境的反应相似。弱光下比叶面积（SLA）、平均单叶面积（MLS）和叶面积比（LAR）较大,随着光强的升高,SLA、MLS、LAR和叶根比（LARMR）降低。2）100%光强下紫茎泽兰叶生物量比（LMR）、叶重分数（LMF）和叶面积指数高于低光强下的值,也高于兰花菊三七,支持结构生物量比（SBR）则相反。强光下紫茎泽兰叶片自遮荫严重,这可能是其表现入侵性的重要原因之一;兰花菊三七分枝较多,避免了叶片自遮荫,较多的分枝利于种子形成对其入侵有利。3）随生长环境光强的升高,两种植物的净同化速率（NAR）、相对生长速率（RGR）和生长对NAR的响应系数均升高（但100%光强下兰花菊三七RGR降低）,平均叶面积比（LARm）和生长对LARm的响应系数均降低,但不同光强下LARm对生长的影响始终大于NAR。4）随着光强的减弱,两种植物都增加高度以截获更多光能,但它们的生物量分配策略不同,紫茎泽兰根生物量比（RMR）降低,SBR增大,而兰花菊三七SBR降低,RMR增大。紫茎泽兰的生物量分配策略更好的反应了弱光环境中的资源变化情况。结论：紫茎泽兰对光环境的适应能力强于兰花菊三七。     

Leaf size and leaf display of thirty-eight tropical tree species

Trees forage for light through optimal leaf display. Effective leaf display is determined by metamer traits (i.e., the internode, petiole, and corresponding leaf), and thus these traits strongly co-determine carbon gain and as a result competitive advantage in a light-limited environment. We examined 11 metamer traits of sun and shade trees of 38 coexisting moist forest tree species and determined the relative strengths of intra- and interspecific variation. Species-specific metamer traits were related to two variables that represent important life history variation; the regeneration light requirements and average leaf size of the species. Metamer traits varied strongly across species and, in contrast to our expectation, showed only modest changes in response to light. Intra- and interspecific responses to light were only congruent for a third of the traits evaluated. Four traits, amongst which leaf size, specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf area ratio at the metamer level (LAR) showed even opposite intra- and interspecific responses to light. Strikingly, these are classic traits that are thought to be of paramount importance for plant performance but that have completely different consequences within and across species. Sun trees of a given species had small leaves to reduce the heat load, but light-demanding species had large leaves compared to shade-tolerants, probably to outcompete their neighbors. Shade trees of a given species had a high SLA and LAR to capture more light in a light-limited environment, whereas shade-tolerant species have well-protected leaves with a low SLA compared to light-demanding species, probably to deter herbivores and enhance leaf lifespan. There was a leaf-size-mediated trade-off between biomechanical and hydraulic safety, and the efficiency with which species can space their leaves and forage for light. Unexpectedly, metamer traits were more closely linked to leaf size than to regeneration light requirements, probably because leaf-size-related biomechanical and vascular constraints limit the trait combinations that are physically possible. This suggests that the leaf size spectrum overrules more subtle variation caused by the leaf economics spectrum, and that leaf size represents a more important strategy axis than previously thought. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Are lianas more drought-tolerant than trees? A test for the role of hydraulic architecture and other stem and leaf traits

Lianas are an important component of Neotropical forests, where evidence suggests that they are increasing in abundance and biomass. Lianas are especially abundant in seasonally dry tropical forests, and as such it has been hypothesized that they are better adapted to drought, or that they are at an advantage under the higher light conditions in these forests. However, the physiological and morphological characteristics that allow lianas to capitalize more on seasonal forest conditions compared to trees are poorly understood. Here, we evaluate how saplings of 21 tree and liana species from a seasonal tropical forest in Panama differ in cavitation resistance (P ₅₀) and maximum hydraulic conductivity (K _h), and how saplings of 24 tree and liana species differ in four photosynthetic leaf traits (e.g., maximum assimilation and stomatal conductance) and six morphological leaf and stem traits (e.g., wood density, maximum vessel length, and specific leaf area). At the sapling stage, lianas had a lower cavitation resistance than trees, implying lower drought tolerance, and they tended to have a higher potential hydraulic conductivity. In contrast to studies focusing on adult trees and lianas, we found no clear differences in morphological and photosynthetic traits between the life forms. Possibly, lianas and trees are functionally different at later ontogenetic stages, with lianas having deeper root systems than trees, or experience their main growth advantage during wet periods, when they are less vulnerable to cavitation and can achieve high conductivity. This study shows, however, that the hydraulic characteristics and functional traits that we examined do not explain differences in liana and tree distributions in seasonal forests.     

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.