scholarly journals Leaf traits drive differences in biomass partitioning among major plant functional types

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remko A Duursma ◽  
Daniel S Falster
Keyword(s):  
Global Climate ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Biomass Partitioning ◽  
Plant Functional Types ◽  
Leaf Mass Per Area ◽  
Leaf Mass ◽  
Functional Types ◽  
Vegetation Models ◽  
Climate Space

1. The partitioning of biomass into leaves and stems is one of the most uncertain and influential components of global vegetation models (GVMs). Although GVMs typically assume that the major woody plant functional types (PFTs) differ in biomass partitioning, empirical studies have not been able to justify these differences. Here we test for differences between PFTs in partitioning of biomass between leaves and stems. 2. We use the recently published Biomass And Allometry Database (BAAD), a large database including observations for individual plants. The database covers the global climate space, allowing us to test for direct climate effects in addition to PFT. 3. The leaf mass fraction (LMF, leaf / total aboveground biomass) varied strongly between PFTs (as defined by deciduous vs. evergreen and gymnosperm vs. angiosperm). We found that LMF, once corrected for plant height, was proportional to leaf mass per area across PFTs. As a result, the PFTs did not differ in the amount of leaf area supported per unit above ground biomass. We found only weak and inconsistent effects of climate on biomass partitioning. 4. Combined, these results uncover fundamental rules in how plants are constructed and allow for systematic benchmarking of biomass partitioning routines in GVMs.

Simulating Competition and Coexistence between Plant Functional Types in a Dynamic Vegetation Model

2006 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek K. Arora ◽  
George J. Boer
Keyword(s):  
Terrestrial Ecosystem ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Plant Functional Types ◽  
Quasi Equilibrium ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem Model ◽  
Functional Types ◽  
Dynamic Global Vegetation Models ◽  
Vegetation Models ◽  
Competition Equations ◽  
Global Vegetation

Abstract The global distribution of vegetation is broadly determined by climate, and where bioclimatic parameters are favorable for several plant functional types (PFTs), by the competition between them. Most current dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) do not, however, explicitly simulate inter-PFT competition and instead determine the existence and fractional coverage of PFTs based on quasi-equilibrium climate–vegetation relationships. When competition is explicitly simulated, versions of Lotka–Volterra (LV) equations developed in the context of interaction between animal species are almost always used. These equations may, however, exhibit unrealistic behavior in some cases and do not, for example, allow the coexistence of different PFTs in equilibrium situations. Coexistence may, however, be obtained by introducing features and mechanisms such as temporal environmental variation and disturbance, among others. A generalized version of the competition equations is proposed that includes the LV equations as a special case, which successfully models competition for a range of climate and vegetation regimes and for which coexistence is a permissible equilibrium solution in the absence of additional mechanisms. The approach is tested for boreal forest, tropical forest, savanna, and temperate forest locations within the framework of the Canadian Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (CTEM) and successfully simulates the observed successional behavior and the observed near-equilibrium distribution of coexisting PFTs.

From plant functional types to plant functional traits

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanzheng Yang ◽  
Qiuan Zhu ◽  
Changhui Peng ◽  
Han Wang ◽  
Huai Chen
Keyword(s):  
Community Ecology ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Plant Functional Types ◽  
Plant Functional Traits ◽  
Leaf Nitrogen Content ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Functional Types ◽  
Vegetation Models

Dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) typically track the material and energy cycles in ecosystems with finite plant functional types (PFTs). Increasingly, the community ecology and modelling studies recognize that current PFT scheme is not sufficient for simulating ecological processes. Recent advances in the study of plant functional traits (FTs) in community ecology provide a novel and feasible approach for the improvement of PFT-based DGVMs. This paper reviews the development of current DGVMs over recent decades. After characterizing the advantages and disadvantages of the PFT-based scheme, it summarizes trait-based theories and discusses the possibility of incorporating FTs into DGVMs. More importantly, this paper summarizes three strategies for constructing next-generation DGVMs with FTs. Finally, the method’s limitations, current challenges and future research directions for FT theory are discussed for FT theory. We strongly recommend the inclusion of several FTs, namely specific leaf area (SLA), leaf nitrogen content (LNC), carbon isotope composition of leaves (Leaf δ13C), the ratio between leaf-internal and ambient mole fractions of CO2 (Leaf Ci/Ca), seed mass and plant height. These are identified as the most important in constructing DGVMs based on FTs, which are also recognized as important ecological strategies for plants. The integration of FTs into dynamic vegetation models is a critical step towards improving the results of DGVM simulations; communication and cooperation among ecologists and modellers is equally important for the development of the next generation of DGVMs.

Relationships among leaf traits of Australian arid zone plants: alternative modes of thermal protection

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen M. Curtis ◽  
Andrea Leigh ◽  
Scott Rayburg
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Structural Damage ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Thermal Protection ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Leaf Mass Per Area ◽  
Leaf Economics Spectrum ◽  
Leaf Trait ◽  
Leaf Mass

Despite the importance of leaf traits that protect against critically high leaf temperatures, relationships among such traits have not been investigated. Further, while some leaf trait relationships are well documented across biomes, little is known about such associations within a biome. This study investigated relationships between nine leaf traits that protect leaves against excessively high temperatures in 95 Australian arid zone species. Seven morphological traits were measured: leaf area, length, width, thickness, leaf mass per area, water content, and an inverse measure of pendulousness. Two spectral properties were measured: reflectance of visible and near-infrared radiation. Three key findings emerged: (1) leaf pendulousness increased with leaf size and leaf mass per area, the former relationship suggesting that pendulousness affords thermal protection when leaves are large; (2) leaf mass per area increased with thickness and decreased with water content, indicating alternative means for protection through increasing thermal mass; (3) spectral reflectance increased with leaf mass per area and thickness and decreased with water content. The consistent co-variation of thermal protective traits with leaf mass per area, a trait not usually associated with thermal protection, suggests that these traits fall along the leaf economics spectrum, with leaf longevity increasing through protection not only against structural damage but also against heat stress.

scholarly journals Forest Leaf Mass per Area (LMA) through the Eye of Optical Remote Sensing: A Review and Future Outlook

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 3352
Author(s):  
Tawanda W. Gara ◽  
Parinaz Rahimzadeh-Bajgiran ◽  
Roshanak Darvishzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Leaf Mass Per Area ◽  
Ecosystem Structure ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Leaf Mass ◽  
Quantitative Remote Sensing

Quantitative remote sensing of leaf traits offers an opportunity to track biodiversity changes from space. Augmenting field measurement of leaf traits with remote sensing provides a pathway for monitoring essential biodiversity variables (EBVs) over space and time. Detailed information on key leaf traits such as leaf mass per area (LMA) is critical for understanding ecosystem structure and functioning, and subsequently the provision of ecosystem services. Although studies on remote sensing of LMA and related constituents have been conducted for over three decades, a comprehensive review of remote sensing of LMA—a key driver of leaf and canopy reflectance—has been lacking. This paper reviews the current state and potential approaches, in addition to the challenges associated with LMA estimation/retrieval in forest ecosystems. The physiology and environmental factors that influence the spatial and temporal variation of LMA are presented. The scope of scaling LMA using remote sensing systems at various scales, i.e., near ground (in situ), airborne, and spaceborne platforms is reviewed and discussed. The review explores the advantages and disadvantages of LMA modelling techniques from these platforms. Finally, the research gaps and perspectives for future research are presented. Our review reveals that although progress has been made, scaling LMA to regional and global scales remains a challenge. In addition to seasonal tracking, three-dimensional modeling of LMA is still in its infancy. Over the past decade, the remote sensing scientific community has made efforts to separate LMA constituents in physical modelling at the leaf level. However, upscaling these leaf models to canopy level in forest ecosystems remains untested. We identified future opportunities involving the synergy of multiple sensors, and investigated the utility of hybrid models, particularly at the canopy and landscape levels.

scholarly journals Effects of Increased N Deposition on Leaf Functional Traits of Four Contrasting Tree Species in Northeast China

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1231
Author(s):  
Attaullah Khan ◽  
Jingjue Sun ◽  
Nowsherwan Zarif ◽  
Kashif Khan ◽  
Muhammad Atif Jamil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Allocation ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Leaf Thickness ◽  
Pinus Koraiensis ◽  
Leaf Mass Per Area ◽  
Leaf Mass ◽  
Allocation Patterns ◽  
Leaf Density

Northeast China is persistently affected by heavy nitrogen (N) deposition. Studying the induced variation in leaf traits is pivotal to develop an understanding of the adaptive plasticity of affected species. This study thus assesses effects of increased N deposition on leaf morphological and anatomical traits and their correlation among and with biomass allocation patterns. A factorial experiment was conducted utilizing seedlings of two gymnosperms (Larix gmelinii, Pinus koraiensis) and two angiosperms (Fraxinus mandshurica, Tilia amurensis). Leaf mass per area and leaf density decreased and leaf thickness increased under high N deposition but trait interrelations remained stable. In gymnosperms, leaf mass per area was correlated to both leaf thickness and area, while being correlated to leaf density only in angiosperms. Epidermis, mesophyll thickness, conduit and vascular bundle diameter increased. Despite the differences in taxonomic groups and leaf habits, the common patterns of variation suggest that a certain degree of convergence exists between the species’ reaction towards N deposition. However, stomata pore length increased in angiosperms, and decreased in gymnosperms under N deposition. Furthermore, biomass and leaf mass fraction were correlated to leaf traits in gymnosperms only, suggesting a differential coordination of leaf traits and biomass allocation patterns under high N deposition per taxonomic group.

scholarly journals Does the leaf economic spectrum hold within plant functional types? A Bayesian multivariate trait meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexey N. Shiklomanov ◽  
Elizabeth M. Cowdery ◽  
Michael Bahn ◽  
Chaeho Byun ◽  
Steven Jansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Plant Functional Types ◽  
Ancillary Data ◽  
Data Accessibility ◽  
Economic Relationships ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Functional Types ◽  
Leaf Economic Spectrum ◽  
Data Request

AbstractWe investigated whether global leaf economic relationships are also present within plant functional types (PFTs), and the extent to which this hierarchical structure can be used to constrain trait estimates. We developed a hierarchical multivariate Bayesian model that assumes separate means and covariance structures within and across PFTs and fit this model to seven leaf traits from the TRY database related to leaf morphology, biochemistry, and photosynthetic metabolism. Trait correlations were generally consistent in direction within and across PFTs, and consistent with predictions of the leaf economic spectrum. However, correlation strength varied substantially across PFTs indicating that leaf economic relationships within PFTs are often confounded by the unique physiology of certain plant types or environmental conditions in certain biomes. Leveraging covariance in multivariate models reduced uncertainties in mean trait estimates, particularly for undersampled trait-PFT combinations. However, additional constraint from the across-PFT hierarchy was limited.Data accessibilityThe R code and ancillary data for running these analyses is publicly available online via the Open Science Framework at https://osf.io/w8y73/. The TRY data request used for this analysis has been archived at http://try-db.org, and can be retrieved by providing the TRY data request ID (#1584). Alternatively, the exact preformatted data used in this analysis are available on request to Alexey Shiklomanov ([email protected]).

scholarly journals Global variability in leaf respiration in relation to climate, plant functional types and leaf traits

2015 ◽  
Vol 206 (2) ◽  
pp. 614-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen K. Atkin ◽  
Keith J. Bloomfield ◽  
Peter B. Reich ◽  
Mark G. Tjoelker ◽  
Gregory P. Asner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Plant Functional Types ◽  
Leaf Respiration ◽  
Functional Types

scholarly journals Plant functional types in Earth system models: past experiences and future directions for application of dynamic vegetation models in high-latitude ecosystems

2014 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stan D. Wullschleger ◽  
Howard E. Epstein ◽  
Elgene O. Box ◽  
Eugénie S. Euskirchen ◽  
Santonu Goswami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Latitude ◽  
Plant Functional Types ◽  
Earth System ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
System Models ◽  
Functional Types ◽  
Vegetation Models ◽  
Past Experiences ◽  
Earth System Models
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