Leaf Serration in Seedlings of Heteroblastic Woody Species Enhance Plasticity and Performance in Gaps But Not in the Understory
Author
Source
International Journal of Ecology
Issue
Vol. 2010, Issue 2010 (31 Dec. 2010), pp.1-9, 9 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2010-06-29
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
9
Main Subjects
Natural & Life Sciences (Multidisciplinary)
Biology
Abstract EN
Leaf heteroblasty refers to dramatic ontogenetic changes in leaf size and shape, in contrast to homoblasty that exhibits little change, between seedling and adult stages.
This study examined whether the plasticity in leaf morphology of heteroblastic species would be an advantage for their survival and growth over homoblastic congeners to changes in light.
Two congeneric pairs of homoblastic (Hoheria lyallii, Aristotelia serrata) and heteroblastic species (H.
sexstylosa, A.
fruticosa) were grown for 18 months in canopy gap and forest understory sites in a temperate rainforest in New Zealand.
Heteroblastic species that initially had serrated leaves reduced leaf serration in the understory, but increased in the gaps.
Heteroblastic species also produced thicker leaves and had higher stomatal pore area (density×aperture length), maximum photosynthetic rate, survival, and greater biomass allocation to shoots than homoblastic relatives in the gaps.
Findings indicate that increased leaf serration in heteroblastic species is an advantage over homoblastic congeners in high light.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Gamage, Harshi K.. 2010. Leaf Serration in Seedlings of Heteroblastic Woody Species Enhance Plasticity and Performance in Gaps But Not in the Understory. International Journal of Ecology،Vol. 2010, no. 2010, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-490266
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Gamage, Harshi K.. Leaf Serration in Seedlings of Heteroblastic Woody Species Enhance Plasticity and Performance in Gaps But Not in the Understory. International Journal of Ecology No. 2010 (2010), pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-490266
American Medical Association (AMA)
Gamage, Harshi K.. Leaf Serration in Seedlings of Heteroblastic Woody Species Enhance Plasticity and Performance in Gaps But Not in the Understory. International Journal of Ecology. 2010. Vol. 2010, no. 2010, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-490266
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-490266