Leaf anatomical traits are correlated with tree dominance in a Neotropical deciduous forest

Autor(es)

Rossatto, D. R. ^[1] ; Kolb, R. M. ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, FCAV, Dept Biol Aplicada, Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Fac Ciencias & Letras, Dept Ciencias Biol, Assis, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF BOTANY; v. 51, n. 4, p. 242-251, DEC 1 2013.
• Citações Web of Science: 1

Resumo

Deciduous forests from the neotropics are one of the most endangered forest types in the world due to the exploitation of their natural resources by mankind. Many aspects of these ecosystems have been studied; however, there is a lack of information about leaf structure and the effects of tree dominance on their structural leaf patterns. In this article, we examine leaf anatomy and specific leaf areas (SLA) in 13 tree species differing in their dominance in a Dry Forest site in Central Brazil, relating leaf anatomical traits with phytosociological aspects. Leaf anatomical traits differed according to tree dominance: greater leaf thickness (achieved through greater thickness of the mesophyll), low values of SLA and bigger stomata were found for the most dominant species, whereas the less dominant species showed thinner leaves with high SLA, as well as numerous and small stomata. These responses suggest that tree dominance is an important indirect effect associated with vertical light availability in the forest. These strategies are probably related to the accomplishment of a high performance in carbon gain and water economy, given the distinction in irradiance that the leaves of different species are subject to in the dry forest. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 11/23112-3 - Anatomia foliar de plantas de diferentes formações vegetacionais
• Beneficiário: Rosana Marta Kolb
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular