Leaf size and angle vary widely across species : what consequences for light interception?

•  Architecture can vary widely across species. Both steeper leaf angles and increased self-shading are thought to reduce potential carbon gain by decreasing total light interception. An alternative hypothesis is that steeper leaf angles have evolved to improve day-long carbon gain by emphasising li...

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Veröffentlicht in:The New phytologist. - 1979. - 158(2003), 3 vom: 15. Juni, Seite 509-525
1. Verfasser: Falster, Daniel S (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Westoby, Mark
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2003
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:The New phytologist
Schlagworte:Journal Article YPLANT architecture digitising light interception self-shading
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:•  Architecture can vary widely across species. Both steeper leaf angles and increased self-shading are thought to reduce potential carbon gain by decreasing total light interception. An alternative hypothesis is that steeper leaf angles have evolved to improve day-long carbon gain by emphasising light interception from low angles. •  Here we relate variation in architectural properties (leaf angle and leaf size) to cross-species patterns of leaf display, light capture and simulated carbon gain in branching-units of 38 perennial species occurring at two sites in Australian forest. Architectural comparison was made possible by combining 3D-digitising with the architecture model YPLANT. •  Species with shallow angled leaves had greater daily light interception and potentially greater carbon gain. Self-shading, rather than leaf angle, explained most variance between species in light capture and potential carbon gain. Species average leaf size was the most important determinant of self-shading. •  Our results provide the first cross-species evidence that steeper leaf angles function to reduce exposure to excess light levels during the middle of the day, more than to maximise carbon gain
Beschreibung:Date Revised 07.09.2022
published: Print
Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE
ISSN:1469-8137
DOI:10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00765.x