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Within- and between-crown leaf variation of a tropical small tree Eugenia hiemalis in response to light.

Within- and between-crown leaf variation of a tropical small tree Eugenia hiemalis in response to light.

Authors :
Nascimento, Kariny Cari
de Souza, Luiz Antonio
Boeger, Maria Regina T.
Romagnolo, Mariza Barion
Pastorini, Lindamir Hernandez
Source :
Plant Ecology; Dec2024, Vol. 225 Issue 11/12, p1171-1181, 11p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Plant leaves receive different light intensities that lead to changes in many of their characteristics, including leaf morphology and anatomy. These changes occur in trees within- and between-crown and this ecophysiological issue has been widely addressed in temperate regions. However, due to increased habitat complexity and species richness, tropical forests may create slightly different light gradients. This study compares these gradients using a tropical plant, Eugenia hiemalis, a high plastic shrub. Leaves were collected from the top and base of the crown of sun-exposed plants (within-crown light gradient) and compared with leaves collected from the middle of crowns, of plants in sunny and shaded sites (between-crown light gradient). The analysis of 25 morphological and anatomical characteristics showed that the between-crown light gradient has a greater influence on leaf responses to light, possibly due to the existence of highly shaded environments in tropical forests compared to surrounding grasslands. Leaves that receive more light have a thicker cuticle and mesophyll and higher stomatal density, leaves at the top of the crown. On the other hand, leaves at the base of the crown and from shaded sites had greater leaf area, leaf dry mass, and specific leaf area. The vertical light gradient that occurs within-crown is weaker than the between-crown gradient, suggesting a great acclimation ability of species both inside and outside tropical forests, such as found in E. hiemalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
13850237
Volume :
225
Issue :
11/12
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Plant Ecology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
181119147
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-024-01462-1