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Leaf traits and resprouting ability in the Mediterranean basin
Author(s) -
PAULA S.,
PAUSAS J. G.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
functional ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.272
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2435
pISSN - 0269-8463
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2006.01185.x
Subject(s) - biology , resistance (ecology) , botany , trait , ecosystem , ecology , programming language , computer science
Summary1 Resprouting is a primary persistence mechanism in fire‐ and drought‐prone ecosystems. Plants with this mechanism (resprouters) tend to exhibit deeper root‐system and higher stem and leaf water potential. We test the extent to which non‐resprouters counteract their lower root allocation by means of leaf traits that confer higher drought resistance. 2 Leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), area‐based leaf nitrogen content (LNC a ) and integrated water‐use efficiency (δ 13 C) were measured for 33 woody species in the eastern Iberian Peninsula. Phylogeny and biogeographical history (Tertiary vs Quaternary) were considered in all comparisons. 3 Non‐resprouters showed higher LMA, LNC a and δ 13 C when considering either all species, or Quaternary species only. Tertiary and Quaternary resprouters differed exclusively in δ 13 C, which was higher for Tertiary species. 4 These results suggest that, at leaf level, non‐resprouters have higher potential for structural resistance to drought and higher water‐use efficiency than resprouters. We propose that the existence of a physiological trade‐off at leaf level between drought resistance and carbon gain should explain the leaf‐trait values exhibited by resprouters.