Leaf economics and plant hydraulics drive leaf: wood area ratios

Leaf economics and plant hydraulics drive leaf : wood area ratios

Mencuccini, Maurizio (author)

Rosa, Teresa (author)

Rowland, Lucy (author)

Choat, Brendan (author)

Cornelissen, Hans (author)

Jansen, Steven (author)

Kramer, Koen (author)

Lapenis, Andrei (author)

Manzoni, Stefano (author): Stockholms universitet,Institutionen för naturgeografi

Niinemets, Ülo (author)

Reich, Peter (author)

Schrodt, Franziska (author)

Soudzilovskaia, Nadia (author)

Wright, Ian J. (author)

Martínez-Vilalta, Jordi (author)

(creator_code:org_t)

2019-07-15
2019
English.
In: New Phytologist. - : Wiley. - 0028-646X .- 1469-8137. ; 224:4, s. 1544-1556

Related links:: https://scholarlypub...; show more...; https://urn.kb.se/re...; https://doi.org/10.1...; show less...

Abstract Subject headings

Biomass and area ratios between leaves, stems and roots regulate many physiological and ecological processes. The Huber value H-v (sapwood area/leaf area ratio) is central to plant water balance and drought responses. However, its coordination with key plant functional traits is poorly understood, and prevents developing trait-based prediction models. Based on theoretical arguments, we hypothesise that global patterns in H-v of terminal woody branches can be predicted from variables related to plant trait spectra, that is plant hydraulics and size and leaf economics. Using a global compilation of 1135 species-averaged H-v, we show that H-v varies over three orders of magnitude. Higher H-v are seen in short small-leaved low-specific leaf area (SLA) shrubs with low K-s in arid relative to tall large-leaved high-SLA trees with high K-s in moist environments. All traits depend on climate but climatic correlations are stronger for explanatory traits than H-v. Negative isometry is found between H-v and K-s, suggesting a compensation to maintain hydraulic supply to leaves across species. This work identifies the major global drivers of branch sapwood/leaf area ratios. Our approach based on widely available traits facilitates the development of accurate models of above-ground biomass allocation and helps predict vegetation responses to drought.

By the author/editor: Mencuccini, Maur ...; Rosa, Teresa; Rowland, Lucy; Choat, Brendan; Cornelissen, Han ...; Jansen, Steven; show more...; Kramer, Koen; Lapenis, Andrei; Manzoni, Stefano; Niinemets, Ülo; Reich, Peter; Schrodt, Franzis ...; Soudzilovskaia, ...; Wright, Ian J.; Martínez-Vilalta ...; show less...

About the subject

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