scholarly journals Effects of Heterogeneous Environment After Deforestation on Plant Phenotypic Plasticity of Three Shrubs Based on Leaf Traits and Biomass Allocation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinniu Wang ◽  
Jing Gao ◽  
Yan Wu ◽  
Bo Xu ◽  
Fusun Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Carbon Content ◽  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Biomass Allocation ◽  
Principal Components ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Adaptive Plasticity ◽  
Heterogeneous Environments ◽  
Heterogeneous Environment

Phenotypic plasticity among natural plant populations is a species-specific ecological phenomenon of paramount importance that depends on their life forms, development stages, as well as environmental factors. While this phenomenon is broadly understood, it has hardly been observed in nature. This study aimed at understanding phenotypic plasticity and ecological adaptability in three shrubs (Salix etosia, Rubus setchuenensis, and Hydrangea aspera) affected by potential environmental variables after deforesting in sparse Larix spp. forest and tall shrub mixed secondary forests. Soil organic carbon content, total nitrogen content, and available nitrogen content were greater outside the forests, contrary to other measured factors whose availability was higher in the forest interiors. In case of leaf traits and stoichiometric indicators, there were significant interactions of leaf area (LA), leaf dry matter (DW), specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf phosphorus content (LPC) between shrub species and heterogeneous environments (P < 0.05) but not for leaf C/N, N/P, and C/P. Principal components analysis (PCA) indicated that soil temperature, pH value, soil carbon content, soil nitrogen content, and MBC and MBN mainly constituted the first component. Summarized results indicated that TB and leaf C/P of S. etosia were significantly correlated with three principal components, but only marginal significant correlations existed between R/S and relevant components. SLA and R/S of R. setchuenensis had marginal significant relationships with independent variables. Both SLA and TB of H. aspera were significantly correlated with three principal components. Based on the pooled values of leaf functional traits and leaf stoichiometric indicators, R. setchuenensis (vining type) had better leaf traits plasticity to adapt to a heterogeneous environment. In descending order, the ranks of biomass allocation plasticity index of three shrubs were H. aspera (bunch type), R. setchuenensis (vining type), and S. etosia (erect type). The highest integrated plasticity values of leaf traits and biomass allocation was observed in H. aspera (bunch type), followed by R. setchuenensis, and by S. etosia with less adaptive plasticity in heterogeneous environments.

scholarly journals Leaf traits and gas exchange in saplings of native tree species in the Central Amazon

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 624-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keila Rego Mendes ◽  
Ricardo Antonio Marenco
Keyword(s):  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Leaf Nitrogen ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Leaf Thickness ◽  
Rainfall Regime ◽  
Leaf Nitrogen Content

Global climate models predict changes on the length of the dry season in the Amazon which may affect tree physiology. The aims of this work were to determine the effect of the rainfall regime and fraction of sky visible (FSV) at the forest understory on leaf traits and gas exchange of ten rainforest tree species in the Central Amazon, Brazil. We also examined the relationship between specific leaf area (SLA), leaf thickness (LT), and leaf nitrogen content on photosynthetic parameters. Data were collected in January (rainy season) and August (dry season) of 2008. A diurnal pattern was observed for light saturated photosynthesis (Amax) and stomatal conductance (g s), and irrespective of species, Amax was lower in the dry season. However, no effect of the rainfall regime was observed on g s nor on the photosynthetic capacity (Apot, measured at saturating [CO2]). Apot and leaf thickness increased with FSV, the converse was true for the FSV-SLA relationship. Also, a positive relationship was observed between Apot per unit leaf area and leaf nitrogen content, and between Apot per unit mass and SLA. Although the rainfall regime only slightly affects soil moisture, photosynthetic traits seem to be responsive to rainfall-related environmental factors, which eventually lead to an effect on Amax. Finally, we report that little variation in FSV seems to affect leaf physiology (Apot) and leaf anatomy (leaf thickness).

Abiotic factors modulate phenotypic plasticity in an apomictic shrub [Miconia albicans (SW.) Triana] along a soil fertility gradient in a Neotropical savanna

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cibele S. Bedetti ◽  
Débora B. Aguiar ◽  
Maria C. Jannuzzi ◽  
Maria Z. D. Moura ◽  
Fernando A. O. Silveira
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
High Plasticity ◽  
Fertility Gradient ◽  
Heterogeneous Habitats ◽  
Soil Fertility Gradient

Phenotypic plasticity is an important means by which plants cope with environmental heterogeneity; therefore, understanding variation in plant traits in heterogeneous habitats is important to predict responses to changing environments. In this study, we examined the patterns of intraspecific variation in leaf traits of Miconia albicans (Melastomataceae), a widespread, obligatory apomictic shrub, across a soil fertility gradient in the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna). We predicted high plasticity because selection favours high phenotypic plasticity in asexual populations with low genetic variability. Leaves were sampled in campo sujo (grassland), cerrado (savanna) and cerradão (woodland) in south-eastern Brazil during both dry and rainy seasons to calculate leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf tissue thickness, trichome and stomata density. We found significant between-season variation in leaf traits, indicating that the production of season-specific leaves is a strategy to cope with the strong seasonality. Both multivariate analysis and the relative distance plasticity index indicate lower plasticity during the dry season, especially under shade. Our results show that the phenotypic plasticity can be modulated by changes in abiotic factors and the combination of shade and drought can limit the expression of phenotypic plasticity.

scholarly journals Effects of Light Environments on Leaf Traits and Phenotypic Plasticity of Canna indica

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-177
Author(s):  
Yorianta Hidayat Sasaerila ◽  
Sakinah Sakinah ◽  
Nita Noriko ◽  
Risa Swandari Wijihastuti
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Canna Indica ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
First Time

Canna indica L (African arrowroot), is a beneficial, multi-use tropical perennial with a worldwide distribution, but relatively unexplored. This plant has the potential to be developed as a food crop in an intercropping system, utilizing idle land under commercial plantations such as rubber or teak. This study aimed to determine the best light-growing conditions for C. indica. A completely randomized design was used with growth light as the treatment consisting of 25%, 50%, and 100% of natural light, respectively. Leaf traits, growth characteristics, and phenotypic plasticity were used to measure C. indica’s response to different treatments. The results of this study showed that C. indica grown in low light has the best growth with increased height, leaf area, root and shoot dry weights, but decreased leaf thickness, which caused the increase in specific leaf area, leaf area ratio, and leaf weight ratio, but decreased root to shoot ratio. Based on leaf traits and biomass allocation, the phenotypic plasticity index was 0.23, a typical number for shade tolerant species. These findings were the first time to be reported for C. indica. For agroforestry practices, it can be recommended that C. indica be used as an intercropping plant under tree canopies.

scholarly journals The sensitivity of stand-scale photosynthesis and transpiration to changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration and climate

1999 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Kruijt ◽  
C. Barton ◽  
A. Rey ◽  
P. G. Jarvis
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Water Use ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
Atmospheric Co2 ◽  
Atmospheric Co2 Concentration ◽  
Needle Longevity

Abstract. The 3-dimensional forest model MAESTRO was used to simulate daily and annual photosynthesis and transpiration fluxes of forest stands and the sensitivity of these fluxes to potential changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]), temperature, water stress and phenology. The effects of possible feed-backs from increased leaf area and limitations to leaf nutrition were simulated by imposing changes in leaf area and nitrogen content. Two different tree species were considered: Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr., a conifer with long needle longevity and large leaf area, and Betula pendula Roth., a broad-leaved deciduous species with an open canopy and small leaf area. Canopy photosynthetic production in trees was predicted to increase with atmospheric [CO2] and length of the growing season and to decrease with increased water stress. Associated increases in leaf area increased production further only in the B. pendula canopy, where the original leaf area was relatively small. Assumed limitations in N uptake affected B. pendula more than P. sitchensis. The effect of increased temperature was shown to depend on leaf area and nitrogen content. The different sensitivities of the two species were related to their very different canopy structure. Increased [CO2] reduced transpiration, but larger leaf area, early leaf growth, and higher temperature all led to increased water use. These effects were limited by feedbacks from soil water stress. The simulations suggest that, with the projected climate change, there is some increase in stand annual `water use efficiency', but the actual water losses to the atmosphere may not always decrease.

scholarly journals Size-dependent allocation of biomass to ancillary versus flowers of the inflorescences of the epiphyte Tillandsia stricta Soland (Bromeliaceae)

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Mantovani ◽  
Ricardo Rios Iglesias
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Reproductive Investment ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Reproductive Allocation ◽  
Heterogeneous Environment ◽  
Plant Resources ◽  
Total Leaf Area ◽  
Size Dependent

The amount of resources invested in reproduction is closely correlated to plant size. However, the increase in reproductive investment is not always proportional to the increase in vegetative growth, as the proportion of plant resources allocated to reproduction can increase, decrease or be maintained along different plant sizes. Although comprising thousand of species, epiphytes are poorly studied in relation to reproductive allocation (RA). We describe the variation in the RA of the epiphytic bromeliad Tillandsia stricta Soland with increasing plant sizes. Our goal is not only to evaluate the RA of the whole inflorescence but also quantify the contribution of ancillary structures in the final RA of this plant species. With increasing sizes of T. stricta the reproductive allocation of biomass to the whole inflorescence decreased significantly along plant sizes from 37% to 12%. Reproductive allocation to ancillary and to flowers decreased respectively from 30% to 9% and 10% to 3%. As leaves are the main source of water and nutrients absorption in atmospheric Tillandsia, the total leaf area and area per leaf were used as indicators of foraging capacity, that also increased with plant size. We discuss these results with respect to the capacity of T. stricta to reproduce in the heterogeneous environment of the canopies.

scholarly journals Effects of microhabitat on leaf traits in Digitalis grandiflora L. (Veronicaceae) growing at forest edge and interior

2014 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 615-627
Author(s):  
J. Kołodziejek
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Stomatal Density ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Leaf Mass Per Area ◽  
Forest Interior ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Shade Leaves

The morphological, anatomical and biochemical traits of the leaves of yellow foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora Mill.) from two microhabitats, forest interior (full shade under oak canopy) and forest edge (half shade near shrubs), were studied. The microhabitats differed in the mean levels of available light, but did not differ in soil moisture. The mean level of light in the forest edge microhabitat was significantly higher than in the forest interior. Multivariate ANOVA was used to test the effects of microhabitat. Comparison of the available light with soil moisture revealed that both factors significantly influenced the morphological and anatomical variables of D. grandiflora. Leaf area, mass, leaf mass per area (LMA), surface area per unit dry mass (SLA), density and thickness varied greatly between leaves exposed to different light regimes. Leaves that developed in the shade were larger and thinner and had a greater SLA than those that developed in the half shade. In contrast, at higher light irradiances, at the forest edge, leaves tended to be thicker, with higher LMA and density. Stomatal density was higher in the half-shade leaves than in the full-shade ones. LMA was correlated with leaf area and mass and to a lesser extent with thickness and density in the forest edge microsite. The considerable variations in leaf density and thickness recorded here confirm the very high variation in cell size and amounts of structural tissue within species. The leaf plasticity index (PI) was the highest for the morphological leaf traits as compared to the anatomical and biochemical ones. The nitrogen content was higher in the ?half-shade leaves? than in the ?shade leaves?. Denser leaves corresponded to lower nitrogen (N) contents. The leaves of plants from the forest edge had more potassium (K) than leaves of plants from the forest interior on an area basis but not on a dry mass basis; the reverse was true for phosphorus.

scholarly journals Different Growth and Sporulation Responses to Temperature Gradient among Obligate Apomictic Strains of Ulva prolifera

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2256
Author(s):  
Yoichi Sato ◽  
Yutaro Kinoshita ◽  
Miho Mogamiya ◽  
Eri Inomata ◽  
Masakazu Hoshino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
Carbon Content ◽  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Genetic Stability ◽  
Ulva Prolifera ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Gene Sequences ◽  
Site Specific

The green macroalga Ulva prolifera has a number of variants, some of which are asexual (independent from sexual variants). Although it has been harvested for food, the yield is decreasing. To meet market demand, developing elite cultivars is required. The present study investigated the genetic stability of asexual variants, genotype (hsp90 gene sequences) and phenotype variations across a temperature gradient (10–30 °C) in an apomictic population. Asexual variants were collected from six localities in Japan and were isolated as an unialgal strain. The hsp90 gene sequences of six strains were different and each strain included multiple distinct alleles, suggesting that the strains were diploid and heterozygous. The responses of growth and sporulation versus temperature differed among strains. Differences in thermosensitivity among strains could be interpreted as the result of evolution and processes of adaptation to site-specific environmental conditions. Although carbon content did not differ among strains and cultivation temperatures, nitrogen content tended to increase at higher temperatures and there were differences among strains. A wide variety of asexual variants stably reproducing clonally would be advantageous in selecting elite cultivars for long-term cultivation. Using asexual variants as available resources for elite cultivars provides potential support for increasing the productivity of U. prolifera.

scholarly journals Análisis de crecimiento de tres especies de Caesalpinia (Leguminosae) de la selva baja caducifolia de Chamela, Jalisco

2017 ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Rincón ◽  
Pilar Huante ◽  
Mariana Álvarez-Añorve
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Biomass Allocation ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Tropical Deciduous Forest ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Allocation Pattern ◽  
Location Patterns ◽  
Net Assimilation

The objective of this study is to assess the biomass allocation pattern s and growth characteristics of three species of Caesalpinia (Leguminosae) from the highly diverse and seasonal Chamela tropical deciduous forest , where the plant growth period is restricted to the rainy season. The studied species, although they are phylogenetically related, presented different biomass al location patterns and RGR during growth, in order to carry out a differential exploitation of resources and to promote their coexistence. There were differences in relative growth rate (RGR), root to shoot ratio (R/ S), net assimilation rate (E), biomass allocation patterns and total biomass and leaf area attained among the studied species. Caesalpinia eriostachys and C. platyloba showed similar growth patterns between them but contrasting with those of C. sclerocarpa. This suggests a temporal uncuopling of their maximum resource demand. RGR was determined to a greater extent by parameters related with E than by parameters related with the specific leaf area (SLA).

Root, shoot and leaf traits of the congeneric Styrax species may explain their distribution patterns in the cerrado sensu lato areas in Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Habermann ◽  
Anna C. G. Bressan
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Co2 Assimilation ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Shoot Length ◽  
Deep Roots ◽  
Number Of Leaves ◽  
Forest Habitats

Shoot and root lengths, the number of leaves, biomass and leaf area were measured in Styrax ferrugineus Nees and Mart., Styrax camporum Pohl. and Styrax pohlii A. DC cultivated in rhizotrons. Additionally, young individuals of these species were planted in a cerrado sensu stricto (s. str.), at the edge and in the understorey of a cerradão, and in the understorey of a riparian forest. Six months after planting, the specific leaf area (SLA) and the CO2 assimilation rate were assessed on an area (Aarea) and mass (Amass) basis. S. ferrugineus exhibited greater root and lower shoot length in comparison to S. pohlii. The high shoot growth and concomitantly substantial root length of S. camporum may illustrate why this species is widely distributed in the cerrado sensu lato areas, whereas the deep roots of S. ferrugineus could account for its occurrence in the cerrado s. str. In the field, an irradiance-diminishing gradient enlarged the SLA of S. pohlii, which positively influenced its Amass, and which could partially explain its occurrence in shady habitats. However, a non-plastic trait, such as the high shoot length of S. pohlii, is more likely to be responsible for the success of this species in forest habitats.

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