scholarly journals Traits controlling shade tolerance in tropical montane trees

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisée Bahati Ntawuhiganayo ◽  
Félicien K Uwizeye ◽  
Etienne Zibera ◽  
Mirindi E Dusenge ◽  
Camille Ziegler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Shade Tolerance ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Tolerant Species ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species

Abstract Tropical canopies are complex, with multiple canopy layers and pronounced gap dynamics contributing to their high species diversity and productivity. An important reason for this complexity is the large variation in shade tolerance among different tree species. At present, we lack a clear understanding of which plant traits control this variation, e.g., regarding the relative contributions of whole-plant versus leaf traits or structural versus physiological traits. We investigated a broad range of traits in six tropical montane rainforest tree species with different degrees of shade tolerance, grown under three different radiation regimes (under the open sky or beneath sparse or dense canopies). The two distinct shade-tolerant species had higher fractional biomass in leaves and branches while shade-intolerant species invested more into stems, and these differences were greater under low radiation. Leaf respiration and photosynthetic light compensation point did not vary with species shade tolerance, regardless of radiation regime. Leaf temperatures in open plots were markedly higher in shade-tolerant species due to their low transpiration rates and large leaf sizes. Our results suggest that interspecific variation in shade tolerance of tropical montane trees is controlled by species differences in whole-plant biomass allocation strategy rather than by difference in physiological leaf traits determining leaf carbon balance at low radiation.

Does tropical forest fragmentation affect plant anti-herbivore defensive and nutritional traits?

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-164
Author(s):  
Betsabé Ruiz-Guerra ◽  
Roger Guevara ◽  
Noé Velázquez-Rosas ◽  
Rodolfo Dirzo
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fragmentation ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Insect Herbivory ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Generalist Herbivore ◽  
Tolerant Species ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species

Abstract:Leaf traits of tropical tree species are known to operate as intrinsic determinants of insect herbivory. However, we know little about how habitat fragmentation affects these traits and what, if any, are the consequences of this process on herbivory. We tested the effects of forest fragmentation on the leaf traits of sapling of four light-demanding species: Acalypha diversifolia, Hampea nutricia, Myriocarpa longipes, Siparuna thecaphora, and two shade-tolerant species: Pseudolmedia glabrata and Garcinia intermedia, in Los Tuxtlas, Mexico. We also conducted an acceptability assay with a generalist herbivore Spodoptera frugiperda. Plant traits did not change with forest fragmentation, but did with plant regeneration mode and species identity. Light-demanding species had significantly higher water content, nitrogen concentration and specific leaf area than shade-tolerant species. The latter had significantly higher leaf strength, carbon concentration and carbon:nitrogen ratio. Acceptability was affected by fragmentation but only in P. glabrata; plant tissue from forest fragments was consumed 2.6 times more than that from continuous forest. We conclude that forest fragmentation did not affect leaf traits in this site.

How well do seed production traits correlate with leaf traits, whole-plant traits and plant ecological strategies?

Plant Ecology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 215 (11) ◽  
pp. 1351-1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Pierce ◽  
Arianna Bottinelli ◽  
Ilaria Bassani ◽  
Roberta M. Ceriani ◽  
Bruno E. L. Cerabolini
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Ecological Strategies ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Plant Ecological

Does carbon storage confer waterlogging tolerance? Evidence from four evergreen species of a temperate rainforest

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 74 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Delgado ◽  
A. Zúñiga-Feest ◽  
F. I. Piper
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Storage ◽  
Shade Tolerance ◽  
Soluble Sugars ◽  
Carbon Limitation ◽  
Waterlogging Tolerance ◽  
Evergreen Species ◽  
Tolerant Species ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species ◽  
Structural Carbohydrate ◽  
Leaf Chlorophyll Fluorescence

Deep shade and waterlogging are two common stressors affecting seedling performance in the understorey of evergreen rainforests. It has been hypothesised that high levels of carbon storage confer shade- and waterlogging tolerances by preventing carbon limitation under such stresses. Whether the tolerance to both stresses is positively or negatively related remains unclear. To explore the role of carbon storage in the relationships of waterlogging and shade tolerance, we investigated the responses to waterlogging and the levels of carbon storage in two species pairs with contrasting shade tolerance: Embothrium coccineum J.R.Forst.&G.Forst. and Gevuina avellana Mol. (Proteaceae) and Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Oerst. and Nothofagus nitida (Phil.) Krasser (Nothofagaceae). We subjected seedlings to waterlogging or control conditions for 30 days and evaluated survival, relative growth rate (RGR), biomass distribution, leaf chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), and concentrations of total soluble sugars, starch and non-structural carbohydrates in different plant tissues. Waterlogging reduced survival, Fv/Fm and RGR in all species; however, the magnitude of reduction of Fv/Fm and RGR was significantly higher in the shade-intolerant species than in their shade-tolerant counterparts. In general, shade-intolerant species had significantly higher non-structural carbohydrate concentrations in waterlogging than in control conditions. By contrast, shade-tolerant species had similar non-structural carbohydrate concentrations under both conditions. Our results indicate that relatively shade-tolerant species performed better under waterlogging. A reduction in non-structural carbohydrates under waterlogging was not observed in any of studied species; rather, shade-intolerant species exhibited non-structural carbohydrate accumulation suggesting that carbon storage does not confer waterlogging tolerance in these species.

Causes and consequences of resource heterogeneity in forests: interspecific variation in light transmission by canopy trees

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles D. Canham ◽  
Adrien C. Finzi ◽  
Stephen W. Pacala ◽  
Diane H. Burbank
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Light Transmission ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Light Extinction ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Tolerant Species ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species ◽  
Successional Species ◽  
Unit Depth

We have analyzed the light transmission characteristics of the nine deciduous and coniferous species that dominate the transition oak–northern hardwood forests of southern New England. Maximum likelihood techniques were used to estimate species-specific light extinction coefficients, using fish-eye photography combined with data on the locations and geometry of trees in the neighborhood around each photo point. Quantum sensors were also used to quantify interspecific variation in the importance of sunflecks and beam enrichment. Variation in light extinction was closely correlated with shade tolerance and successional status of the species. The most shade-tolerant species (Fagusgrandifolia Ehrh. and Tsugacanadensis (L.) Carr.) cast the deepest shade (<2% of full sun), while earlier successional species such as Quercusrubra L. and Fraxinusamericana L. allowed greater light penetration (>5% full sun). These differences were more closely related to differences in crown depth than to differences in light extinction per unit depth of crown. Sunflecks contributed relatively little radiation beneath late successional species (<10% of total understory photosynthetically active radiation), but represented a major fraction (40–50%) of radiation beneath less shade-tolerant species. Using growth and mortality functions for the same species developed in a related study, our results indicate that saplings of all of the species have high survivorship in the shade cast by conspecific adults. However, only the three most shade-tolerant species have low rates of sapling mortality under the low light levels characteristic of stands dominated by late successional species. Our results are consistent with previously reported models, which propose that secondary succession is driven by interspecific differences in resource uptake and tolerance.

Interspecific variation in the response of growth, crown morphology, and survivorship to light of six tree species in the conifer belt of the Bhutan Himalayas

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 1093-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg Gratzer ◽  
Andras Darabant ◽  
Purna B Chhetri ◽  
Prem Bahadur Rai ◽  
Otto Eckmüllner
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Continuous Growth ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species ◽  
Lower Light ◽  
Crown Morphology ◽  
Changing Light

The responses of radial and height growth, plant architecture, and the probability of mortality of saplings to varying light levels were quantified for six tree species in temperate conifer forests of the Bhutan Himalayas. Increases in growth with increasing light were comparable with those of high latitude tree species but lower than those of tropical tree species and temperate species in North America. The shade-tolerant species Tsuga dumosa (D. Don.) Eichler showed the strongest increase in radial growth at low light and reached asymptotic growth early. It had the deepest crowns in low light and a low decrease of leader growth with decreasing light. It represents a continuous growth type, which invests in height rather than lateral growth under low light conditions. Betula utilis D. Don. showed greater increases in radial growth and a higher mortality at low light than the more shade-tolerant Abies densa Griff., in keeping with the trade-off between survivorship and growth at low light. Picea spinulosa Griff, Larix griffithiana Carriére, and Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jackson showed small increases in growth at low light levels. The latter two species showed no capacity to adapt their morphology in response to changing light levels, which resulted in higher probabilities of mortality at lower light levels. Differences in the probability of mortality at different light levels were more pronounced than differences in the light-growth response, underlining the importance of survivorship at low light for successional dynamics.

Photosynthetic characteristics in relation to leaf traits in eight co-existing pioneer tree species in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Hölscher ◽  
C. Leuschner ◽  
K. Bohman ◽  
J. Juhrbandt ◽  
S. Tjitrosemito
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Leaf Size ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Pioneer Tree Species ◽  
Pioneer Tree ◽  
Leaf N Content ◽  
Leaf N

Tropical pioneer tree species are considered as a functional group characterized by a suite of ecological characteristics such as high light demand and high photosynthetic capacities. This study compared the photosynthetic characteristics of eight co-existing pioneer tree species in 3–4-y-old and about 6-m-tall secondary forest stands in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Its objectives were (1) to determine the range and interspecific variation in six photosynthetic parameters, and (2) to identify morphological and chemical leaf traits that can predict light-saturated net photosynthetic rates (on a leaf area or leaf mass basis, Amax-area or Amax-mass). Species averages of Amax-area in sun leaves ranged between 14.2 and 20.3 μmol m−2 s−1 (mean 17.5) which is high compared with literature data. Among the co-existing species, average leaf size (56–896 cm2) differed by a factor of 16, specific leaf area (SLA, 10.7–21.4 m2 kg−1) and leaf nitrogen content (19.6–33.9 g kg−1) twofold. At the species level, Amax-area was not correlated with leaf N content but decreased significantly with leaf size. Amax-mass showed a higher interspecific variation than Amax-area, and was positively correlated with SLA and leaf N content (slope: 13.4 nmol CO2 g N−1 s−1). Both, Amax-area and Amax-mass were more closely related to leaf morphological attributes than to leaf N. We conclude that the tropical pioneer tree species studied do not form a homogeneous functional group in terms of photosynthetic performance. Rather, a considerable variation in leaf morphology and nitrogen content exists, which also shows up in a substantial variation in Amax-mass and, to a lesser extent, in Amax-area.

A note on shade tolerance and vegetative propagation of woodland species

1976 ◽  
Vol 192 (1107) ◽  
pp. 257-258 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Vegetative Propagation ◽  
Shade Tolerance ◽  
Habitat Conditions ◽  
Tolerant Species ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species

Evidence is provided to show that, for many ‘shade tolerant’ species vegetative modes of increase may compensate for meagre seed-production which may be imposed by the habitat conditions.

Small-scale disturbance in a northern hardwoods forest: effects on tree species abundance and distribution

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1347-1360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan W. McClure ◽  
Thomas D. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Root Competition ◽  
Northern Hardwoods ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Gap Size ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Tolerant Species ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species

Sampling of 24-, 34-, and 44-year-old patch cuts (324–2400 m2) in the Bartlett Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, was undertaken to assess the effect of gap size and location within a gap on tree species abundance (relative basal area and relative density). Shade-tolerant species, especially eastern hemlock (Tsugacanadensis (L.) Carr.) and American beech (Fagusgrandifolia Ehrh.), were relatively more abundant in small gaps and gap edges and generally decreased with increasing gap size. Shade-intolerant species, including paper birch (Betulapapyrifera Marsh.) and pin cherry (Prunuspensylvanica L.f.), were relatively more abundant in large gaps and gap centers and increased with increasing gap size. Intermediately shade-tolerant species, especially yellow birch (Betulaalleghaniensis Britt.) and red maple (Acerrubrum L.), were relatively more abundant in gap centers. Striped maple (Acerpensylvanicum L.) was relatively more abundant in gap edges. Many of these relationships were complex due to interactions with gap age and slope. Sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) relative abundance was not associated with gap size or location within a gap. Analyses isolating irradiance as a factor influencing species composition were inconclusive. Instead, other effects of gap disturbance and characteristics associated with different locations in the gap, such as soil conditions and root competition, may play an important role in the gap dynamics of this northern hardwoods forest. Gap age had a strong effect on species relative abundances and these patterns reflected typical successional sequences in northern hardwood forests. The gap disturbances increased species richness and diversity in this forest. Gaps contained species not present in the old-growth forest, and the species compositional variations among different gap sizes suggest that a forest with a range of gap sizes will have high diversity. Competitive exclusion appeared to be prevented by the gap disturbances, a likely consequence of the release of previously unavailable resources.

Characterizing shade tolerance by the relationship between mortality and growth in tree saplings in a southeastern Texas forest

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-349
Author(s):  
Jie Lin ◽  
Paul A Harcombe ◽  
Mark R Fulton
Keyword(s):  
Survival Analysis ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Shade Tolerance ◽  
Mesic Forest ◽  
Tolerant Species ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species ◽  
Zero Growth ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
The Relationship

We investigated the relationship between shade tolerance and sapling mortality using data collected over 15 years in a mesic forest in southeastern Texas. Seven species representing a range of shade-tolerance classes were included in the study. We used survival analysis to estimate species-specific sapling mortality risk (hazard) as a function of recent growth. We found that shade-intolerant species had higher mortality risk at zero growth than shade-tolerant species. The results strongly support the point that shade tolerance can be characterized by the relationship between sapling mortality and growth.

Effects of suppression and release on sapling growth for 11 tree species of northern, interior British Columbia

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 1571-1580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine F Wright ◽  
Charles D Canham ◽  
K D Coates
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Tolerant Species ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species ◽  
Sapling Growth ◽  
Over Time

Saplings of canopy tree species frequently undergo alternating periods of suppression and release before reaching canopy size. In this study, we document the effects of periods of suppression and release on current responses to variation in light by saplings of the 11 major tree species of northwestern, interior British Columbia. We were specifically interested in the degree to which increasing length of suppression had long-term effects on subsequent response to release in gaps or following partial cutting, and the degree to which the effects of suppression were ameliorated with time following release. At least some saplings of all 11 species had undergone alternating periods of suppression and release. The most shade-tolerant species generally did not show either a decline in growth over time during suppression or a gradual increase in growth at a given light level over time during release. The least shade-tolerant species exhibited significant declines in growth rate during suppression; however, in all of the species except trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), the effects of suppression disappeared over time during release. Failure to account for the effects of past suppression and release leads to significant overestimates of the initial responses of shade-intolerant species to release. Our results suggest that competitive balances between species shift substantially over time as a result of growth history and that these shifts have significant effects on successional patterns.

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