Leaf economics spectrum of broadleaved seedlings and its relationship with defense traits in a temperate forest

doi:10.17521/cjpe.2022.0005

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Understanding the trade-offs between leaf functional traits has long been a hot topic in ecological research.

Methods In a broadleaved Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forest and a spruce-fir valley forest in the Liangshui National Nature Reserve, Heilongjiang Province, we measured 5 leaf economic traits and 4 leaf defense traits for seedlings of 8 tree species and 11 shrub species, to evaluate trait variation across species life forms and forest types, as well as trait correlations.

Important findings There was no significant difference in leaf traits between the seedlings of trees and shrubs. The total phenolic content and tannin content of plants in the spruce-fir valley forest were significantly higher than those in broadleaved Korean pine forest. Compared with broadleaved Korean pine forest, the spruce-fir valley forest has lower under-canopy light intensity but higher air and soil moisture, which is more conducive to the aggregation of natural enemies. This stronger biological interaction may in turn drives seedlings to invest more on their defense traits in spruce-fir forest. Leaf chlorophyll content was positively correlated with specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content. Leaf nitrogen content was positively correlated with leaf phosphorus content. Moreover, there was a significant and positive correlation between leaf defense traits. Leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen content were negatively correlated with total phenolic content, tannin content and content of flavonoids. This suggests the existence of a trade-off between leaf carbon economics and defense. The seedlings of trees and shrubs had similar carbon economics strategies. The results of this study have implications for predicting forest dynamics and community composition based on leaf functional traits.

Key words: trade-off strategies, leaf economics spectrum, leaf defense, seedlings, principal component analysis

CHENG Si-Qi, JIANG Feng, JIN Guang-Ze. Leaf economics spectrum of broadleaved seedlings and its relationship with defense traits in a temperate forest[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2022, 46(6): 678-686.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.17521/cjpe.2022.0005

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2022/V46/I6/678

Figures/Tables 4

Table 1 Comparison of leaf traits between broadleaved tree seedlings and broadleaved shrub seedlings in a temperate forest

性状 Trait	生活型 Life form	物种数 Species number	平均值±标准差 Mean ± SD	中值 Median	p
叶干物质含量 LDMC (g·g^-1)	乔木 Tree	8	0.25 ± 0.05	0.24	0.63
叶干物质含量 LDMC (g·g^-1)	灌木 Shrub	11	0.24 ± 0.04	0.25	0.63
比叶面积 SLA (cm²·g^-1)	乔木 Tree	8	433.2 ± 80.0	423.8	0.27
比叶面积 SLA (cm²·g^-1)	灌木 Shrub	11	481.3 ± 105.5	458.3	0.27
叶氮含量 N (g·kg^-1)	乔木 Tree	8	20.92 ± 5.03	20.07	0.93
叶氮含量 N (g·kg^-1)	灌木 Shrub	11	20.72 ± 4.41	22.21	0.93
叶磷含量 P (g·kg^-1)	乔木 Tree	8	2.34 ± 0.57	2.38	0.18
叶磷含量 P (g·kg^-1)	灌木 Shrub	11	2.76 ± 0.74	2.58	0.18
叶绿素含量指数 Lchl	乔木 Tree	8	12 864 ± 2 112	13 257	0.15
叶绿素含量指数 Lchl	灌木 Shrub	11	14 825 ± 3 532	14 638	0.15
总酚含量 TP (g·kg^-1)	乔木 Tree	8	79.66 ± 34.76	85.24	0.52
总酚含量 TP (g·kg^-1)	灌木 Shrub	11	69.07 ± 33.30	70.37	0.52
单宁含量 TA (g·kg^-1)	乔木 Tree	8	61.68 ± 36.01	68.16	0.33
单宁含量 TA (g·kg^-1)	灌木 Shrub	11	46.11 ± 28.82	37.01	0.33
类黄酮含量 FLA (g·kg^-1)	乔木 Tree	8	80.44 ± 58.18	54.03	0.45
类黄酮含量 FLA (g·kg^-1)	灌木 Shrub	11	62.03 ± 38.70	50.98	0.45
缩合单宁含量 CT (g·kg^-1)	乔木 Tree	8	22.68 ± 27.66	9.21	0.78
缩合单宁含量 CT (g·kg^-1)	灌木 Shrub	11	19.38 ± 21.52	7.04	0.78

Fig. 1 Comparison of leaf traits between forest types and between tree and shrub seedlings in a temperate forest. BK, broadleaved Korean pine forest; SP, spruce-fir valley forest. CT, condensed tannins content; FLA, flavonoids content; Lchl, leaf chlorophyll content; LDMC, leaf dry-matter content; N, leaf nitrogen content; P, leaf phosphorus content; SLA, specific leaf area; TA, tannin content; TP, total phenolic content. *, p < 0.05. The number of individuals of each species in each plot was 3-5.

Fig. 2 Relationship between leaf economic traits (Lchl and N) and leaf defense traits (TP, TA and FLA) in a temperate forest. FLA, flavonoids content; Lchl, chlorophyll content; N, leaf nitrogen content; TA, tannin content; TP, total phenolic content. The number of individuals of each species in each plot was 3-5.

Fig. 3 The principal component analysis diagram of leaf traits for tree and shrub seedlings in a temperate forest. Shrub_a, shrub seedlings in the broadleaved Korean pine forest; Shrub_b, shrub seedlings in the spruce-fir valley forest; Tree_a, tree seedlings in the broadleaved Korean pine forest; Tree_b, tree seedlings in the spruce-fir valley forest. CT, condensed tannins content; FLA, flavonoids content; Lchl, leaf chlorophyll content; LDMC, leaf dry-matter content; N, leaf nitrogen content; P, leaf phosphorus content; SLA, specific leaf area; TA, tannin content; TP, total phenolic content. The number of individuals of each species in each plot was 3-5.

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