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Leaf hydraulic architecture correlates with regeneration irradiance in tropical rainforest trees
Author(s) -
Sack Lawren,
Tyree Melvin T.,
Holbrook N. Michele
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2005.01432.x
Subject(s) - xylem , biology , rainforest , botany , petiole (insect anatomy) , shade tolerance , resistance (ecology) , specific leaf area , transpiration , tropical rainforest , temperate climate , acclimatization , stomatal conductance , canopy , photosynthesis , agronomy , genus
Summary• The leaf hydraulic conductance ( K leaf ) is a major determinant of plant water transport capacity. Here, we measured K leaf , and its basis in the resistances of leaf components, for fully illuminated leaves of five tree species that regenerate in deep shade, and five that regenerate in gaps or clearings, in Panamanian lowland tropical rainforest. We also determined coordination with stomatal characters and leaf mass per area. • Kleaf varied 10‐fold across species, and was 3‐fold higher in sun‐ than in shade‐establishing species. On average, 12% of leaf hydraulic resistance (= 1/ K leaf ) was located in the petiole, 25% in the major veins, 25% in the minor veins, and 39% outside the xylem. Sun‐establishing species had a higher proportion of leaf resistance in the xylem. Across species, component resistances correlated linearly with total leaf resistance. • Kleaf correlated tightly with indices of stomatal pore area, indicating a coordination of liquid‐ and vapor‐phase conductances shifted relative to that of temperate woody species. • Leaf hydraulic properties are integrally linked in the complex of traits that define differences in water use and carbon economy across habitats and vegetation zones.