Leaves at low versus high rainfall : coordination of structure, lifespan and physiology
• Across species, leaf lifespan (LL) tends to be correlated with leaf mass per area (LMA). Previously we found that Australian perennial species from low-rainfall sites had c . 40% shorter LL at a given LMA than high-rainfall species. • Here we relate indices of leaf strength (work to shear, W she...
| Veröffentlicht in: | The New phytologist. - 1979. - 155(2002), 3 vom: 20. Sept., Seite 403-416 |
|---|---|
| 1. Verfasser: | |
| Weitere Verfasser: | |
| Format: | Online-Aufsatz |
| Sprache: | English |
| Veröffentlicht: |
2002
|
| Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk: | The New phytologist |
| Schlagworte: | Journal Article leaf lifespan (LL) leaf mass per area nitrogen use sclerophylly toughness water use |
| Zusammenfassung: | • Across species, leaf lifespan (LL) tends to be correlated with leaf mass per area (LMA). Previously we found that Australian perennial species from low-rainfall sites had c . 40% shorter LL at a given LMA than high-rainfall species. • Here we relate indices of leaf strength (work to shear, W shear , and tissue toughness) to LL and LMA across the same suite of species. W shear is the work required to cut a leaf with a blade; W shear divided by leaf thickness gives tissue toughness. • Low- and high-rainfall species did not differ in their LL at a given W shear , but dry-site species had lower W shear at a given LMA, leading to the observed LL - LMA shift with rainfall. These patterns were driven by 50% lower tissue toughness in dry-site species. • The lower toughness was linked with high leaf N concentration, which is known to enhance water conservation during photosynthesis in low-rainfall species. Our results suggest that a significant cost of this strategy is reduced LL for a given investment in leaf tissue (LMA) |
|---|---|
| Beschreibung: | Date Revised 20.04.2021 published: Print Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1469-8137 |
| DOI: | 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2002.00479.x |