Functional traits of tree saplings and adults in a tropical cloud forest restoration context

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-85
Author(s):  
Guadalupe Williams-Linera ◽  
Avril Manrique-Ascencio
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Intraspecific Variation ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Restoration ◽  
Stomatal Density ◽  
Cloud Forest ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
N Content

Background: The use of tree species’ functional traits is a promising approach in forest restoration. However, some traits may change during ontogeny. Questions: Does intraspecific variation in functional traits occur between sapling and adult stages? Do groups of species can be delimited based on functional traits regardless of their ontogenetic stage? Study sites and dates: Cloud forest restoration, Veracruz, Mexico, 2016. Methods: Saplings and adults of eight native tree species in different age plantations were measured for leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), stomatal density (SD), foliar nutrient content (C, N, P) and relative growth rate (RGR). Wood density (WD) was measured for adults. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models and principal component analysis (PCA). Results: Overall, SLA was higher in saplings than in adults. A few species showed intraspecific variation for LA (three species), SD (three) and foliar N content (one). Species with high WD (Quercus spp.) and intermediate WD (e.g. Liquidambar styraciflua) tended to have lower LA and SLA, and higher SD. Species with low WD (e.g. Heliocarpus donnellsmithii) had high SLA, RGR, and N content. PCA highlighted that saplings and adults of a same species were close to each other within the ordination space.  Conclusions: Intraspecific variation between saplings and adults was small for most traits (except SLA) in comparison to differences across species. Therefore species trait values (measured in individuals of any age) could be a useful tool to characterize groups of species during the forest restoration trajectory.

scholarly journals Divergent Strategies of Epiphytic Pteridophytes and Angiosperms Responding to Dry and Wet Seasons in a Tropical Cloud Forest

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 194008292092008
Author(s):  
Xuanru Li ◽  
Wenxing Long ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Jin Huang ◽  
Yikang Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Traits ◽  
Stomatal Density ◽  
Cloud Forest ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Leaf Water Content ◽  
Tissue Thickness ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Plant Groups ◽  
Tropical Cloud Forest

Epiphyte is a unique component of forest diversity vulnerable to changing environments. Characterizing variations in functional traits of epiphytes across dry and wet seasons can enhance our understanding their strategies to environments. We measured and assessed variations of 14 leaf functional traits responding to water conditions for epiphytic pteridophytes (EP) and epiphytic angiosperms (EA) across dry and wet seasons in a tropical cloud forest. Results showed that leaf dry weight (LDW) and stomatal length (SL) of EP were significantly higher than EA, while leaf water content (LWC) of EA was significantly higher than EP. The SL, stomatal density (SD), upper epidermis thickness (UET), lower epidermis thickness (LET), palisade tissue thickness (PT), spongy tissue thickness (ST), and leaf thickness (LT) of EP and EA were significantly higher in wet season than dry season. The variance of stomatal and anatomical traits explained by season types (0.24–0.78) was higher than plant groups (0.0–0.25), while the variance of LDW and LWC explained by plant groups (0.12–0.40) was higher than season types (0.0–0.29). Principal component analysis and correlation analyses showed that SL, stomatal index, UET, ST, LET, and LT were the key traits reflecting epiphyte adaptation to dry season, as well as that LWC and leaf density were the key traits in wet season. Our results suggest that the different taxonomic groups exhibit divergent strategies responding to water differences. Great variations in leaf traits to dry seasons are predicted that vascular epiphytes, especially pteridophytes, are prone to disappear with drought events.

Contrasting Cloud Forest Restoration Potential Between Plantations of Different Exotic Tree Species

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 472-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koen W. Thijs ◽  
Raf Aerts ◽  
Pieter Van de Moortele ◽  
Winfred Musila ◽  
Hubert Gulinck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Restoration ◽  
Cloud Forest ◽  
Exotic Tree ◽  
Restoration Potential

scholarly journals N sources affect growth, nutrient content, and net photosynthesis in maté (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.)

2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 689-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sérgio Gaiad ◽  
Miroslava Rakocevic ◽  
Carlos Bruno Reissmann
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Leaf Number ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Ilex Paraguariensis ◽  
N Content ◽  
N Sources

The influence of different N sources on the growth of maté (Ilex paragurariensis St.Hil.) seedlings grown in greenhouse was studied. All seedlings received a base fertilization of 10 mg N.kg-1 soil as NH4NO3, 60 mg P2O5.and 40 mg K2O.kg-1 soil as KH2PO4 15 days before treatments application. Treatments were as follow: Control, with no extra N added; Urea = 100 mg N.kg-1 soil as Urea; NO3- = 100 mg N.kg-1 soil as Ca(NO3)2; and NH4+ = 100 mg N.kg-1 soil as (NH4)2SO4. It was concluded that: 1) increasing N content in leaves alone was not able to promote gain in biomass production of maté seedlings; 2) seedlings receiving N-NH4 showed a higher accumulation of P and Mg on shoot biomass; and 3) an increase in leaf area, leaf number and net photosynthesis observed at the N-NH4 treatment was coincident with an increasing absorption of P and Mg.

scholarly journals Early seedling establishment of endangered and valuable tree species in cloud forest restoration plantings

2019 ◽  
Vol 90 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siunelly Landero-Lozada ◽  
Tarin Toledo-Aceves ◽  
Fabiola López-Barrera ◽  
Vinicio J. Sosa ◽  
Neptalí Ramírez-Marcial
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Restoration ◽  
Cloud Forest ◽  
Early Seedling

scholarly journals Differing Trade-Off Patterns of Tree Vegetative Organs in a Tropical Cloud Forest

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Yang ◽  
Chuchu Xiao ◽  
Xianming Wu ◽  
Wenxing Long ◽  
Guang Feng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Specific Leaf Area ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Cloud Forest ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Leaf Thickness ◽  
Vegetative Organs ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Tropical Cloud Forest ◽  
Nitrogen Contents

Functional trait ecology demonstrates the significance of the leaf economics spectrum in understanding plants’ trade-off between acquisitive and conservative resource utilization. However, whether trait variations of different vegetative organs are coordinated and whether the plant economics spectrum is characterized by more than one vegetative organ remain controversial. To gain insights into these questions, within a tropical cloud forest in Hainan Island, a total of 13 functional traits of 84 tree species were analyzed here, including leaf, stem and root traits. By using standardized major axis (SMA) regression and principal components analysis, we examined the trait variations and correlations for deciphering plants’ trade-off pattern. We found decreases of leaf phosphorus content, leaf nitrogen content and specific leaf area and increases of leaf mass per unit area (LMA), wood density and leaf thickness along the first principal component, while there were decreases of specific root length and specific root area and increases of root tissue density along the second principal component. Root phosphorus and nitrogen contents were significantly positively associated with the phosphorus and nitrogen contents of both stem and leaf. Wood density was significantly positively associated with LMA and leaf thickness, but negatively associated with leaf thickness and specific leaf area. Our results indicate that, in the tropical cloud forest, there is a “fast–slow” economic spectrum characterized by leaf and stem. Changes of nutrient trait are coordinated, whereas the relationships of morphological traits varied independently between plant above- and below-ground parts, while root nutrient traits are decoupled from root morphological traits. Our findings can provide an insight into the species coexistence and community assembly in high-altitude tropical forests.

Interspecific variations in tree allometry and functional traits in subtropical plantations in southern China

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 558
Author(s):  
Liwei Zhu ◽  
Yanting Hu ◽  
Ping Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Water Transport ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Acacia Auriculiformis ◽  
Subtropical Region ◽  
Tree Allometry

Mechanical stability against buckling and water transport resistance through xylem vary with increasing tree height. To explore interspecific allometry based on morphological and physiological traits can play a crucial role in revealing their ecological adaptation. Four architectural traits (tree height, diameter at the breast height (DBH), crown width and crown depth) and seven functional traits (specific leaf area (SLA), leaf total carbon concentration (TC), midday leaf water potential, leaf δ13C and δ18O, wood density and xylem water transport efficiency) were measured in Schima superba, Acacia auriculiformis and Eucalyptus citriodora plantations in the subtropical region of China. The mechanical stability declined in the order of S. superba > A. auriculiformis > E. citriodora. Taller species at a given DBH had slender stems and narrower crowns. Smaller leaf δ18O and more efficient xylem water transport were observed in two taller tree species, A. auriculiformis and E. citriodora. Smaller SLA, higher leaf TC and larger leaf area indicated more carbon allocation to leaves of S. superba. The variations in architectural and functional traits with tree allometry among tree species may provide a more complete understanding of species-specific growth strategies in this subtropical region.

scholarly journals Diversity of Leaf Stomatal Traits among Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner Genotypes

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1126
Author(s):  
Danielly Dubberstein ◽  
Marcos Góes Oliveira ◽  
Elisa Mitsuko Aoyama ◽  
José Henrique Guilhen ◽  
Adésio Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Plant Height ◽  
Stomatal Density ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Coffea Canephora ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
Coffee Plants ◽  
Stomatal Length

Leaf morpho-anatomical characteristics directly reflect photosynthetic performance and the ability to adapt to different environmental conditions. The study of biometric traits is essential for the selection of promising plant materials for breeding purposes. To identify new varieties of coffee plants with desirable traits for genetic improvement programs, this study investigated the variability of leaf morpho-anatomical traits in 43 genotypes of Coffea canephora (as the species under study is hypostomatous). Seven leaf characteristics were used: epidermal cell density (ECD), stomatal length (SL), stomatal width (SW), stomatal density (SD), stomatal size (SS), stomatal index (SI), and stomatal length/width. Morphological traits (plant height, internodal distance, and leaf area) and grain production were also assessed. The data analyzed multivariate analysis of variance grouped by the unweighted pair group the arithmetic mean hierarchical method, and data were also subjected to a Pearson linear correlation and principal component analyses (PCAs). The results showed wide morphological variability reflecting six morphological groups, which is relevant for the genetic divergence analysis and for breeding purposes, as the results have the potential to identify superior genotypes. Within the groups, genotypes were mainly separated by the number of epidermal cells and the number and size of the stomata, reflecting a high genetic heterogeneity within genotypes. Positive and negative correlations were found, with levels of significance ranging from weak to strong among the analyzed traits. The highest correlation levels were found for SL × SS, SW × SS, and SI × SD. In addition, the PCA indicated that plant height, distance between nodes, and leaf area were positively correlated and associated. The greater the number and width of stomata, the higher the rate of gas exchange. Both characteristics are favorable for the development and production of coffee plants, explaining the positive correlation observed in this study. These results emphasize the usefulness of trait evaluations for the identification and breeding of genotypes to compose new C. canephora cultivars suitable for changing environments.

scholarly journals Changes in leaf functional traits of the endangered plant Disanthus cercidifolius var. longipes with plant growth and development

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang-Qing Chen ◽  
Shoupeng Guan ◽  
Mengya Geng ◽  
Kun Lv ◽  
Yongwen Huang
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Investment Strategy ◽  
Leaf Water Content ◽  
Endangered Plant ◽  
Leaf Functional Traits ◽  
Adult Plants

Abstract Background: Disanthus cercidifolius var. longipes H. T. Chang is a rare and endangered plant distributed only in the high mountains of southeastern China. In order to reveal the variation in leaf functional traits and plant investment strategies with the change of growth and developmental stages of this species, the leaf functional traits and the trait syndrome including leaf thickness (LT), leaf area (LA), leaf water content (LWC), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf total nitrogen content (LNC), and leaf total phosphorus content (LPC) of plants at different growth and developmental stages were investigated. Results:The leaf functional traits of the plants significantly differed at different developmental stages. LT and LA of the plants increased during growth and development. LT and LA of the adult plants were 36.65% and 84.23% higher than those of the seedlings, respectively. In contrast, SLA, LWC, LNC, and LPC decreased, and in adult plants they were 48.91%, 6.63%, 8.49%, and 34.66% lower, respectively, than in seedlings. Principal component analysis showed that as the plants developed, the trait syndrome changed toward increasing LT and LA and decreasing LWC, SLA, LNC, and LPC.Conclusions:The characteristics of leaf functional traits and trait syndromes changed across different stages of growth and development. The investment strategy changed from fast return to slow return as the plant grew and developed.

scholarly journals Relevance of Broad-Leaved Forest Stands for Maintaining Epiphytic Bryophyte Species and Functional Trait Diversity in Forest Landscape in Latvia

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 310-318
Author(s):  
Linda Gerra-Inohosa ◽  
Līga Strazdiņa
Keyword(s):  
Functional Traits ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Life Strategy ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Broad Leaved Forest ◽  
Leaved Forest

Abstract Broad-leaved trees play an important role in supporting epiphyte richness in deciduous forests. In this study we tested which broad-leaved forest stands in terms of tree composition best predicted biodiversity in regard to bryophyte species number and their functional traits. The bryoflora was surveyed in 70 stands differing in dominant broad-leaved tree species. One circular plot with diameter 30 meters was established in each stand situated in different parts of Latvia. Fifty-three of the plots were located in stands identified as protected habitats of the European Union. In total, 82 bryophyte species were recorded. At plot level the total number of species ranged between 6 and 38 species. Using principal component analysis (PCA), the ordination axes explained 41% of the variation in composition of bryophytes. The PCA axes were related to tree species composition. The presence of broad-leaved trees, especially ash, lime, and oak, was connected with higher species richness. Generalised linear models confirmed that epiphyte richness, both at the total and indicator species levels, was higher in ash stands. From the functional traits, all expected life-strategy and life-form categories were recorded. The most represented life-forms were smooth mats, tall turfs, and rough mats, while the dominant life-strategy was perennial stayers, followed by competitive perennials and long-lived shuttles. Functional trait richness was highest in Fraxinus excelsior, Tilia cordata, and Quercus robur forest stands.

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