Leaf Mass per Area (LMA) and Its Relationship with Leaf Structure and Anatomy in 34 Mediterranean Woody Species along a Water Availability Gradient.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: de la Riva EG
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4750855 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Similar Datasets
Project description:According with niche theory the species are specialized in different ecological niches, being able to coexist as result of a differential use of resources. In this context, the biogeochemical niche hypothesis proposes that species have an optimal elemental composition which results from the link between the chemical and morphological traits for the optimum plant functioning. Thus, and attending to the limiting similarity concept, different elemental composition and plant structure among co-occurring species may reduce competition, promoting different functional niches. Different functional habits associated with leaf life-span or growth forms are associated with different strategies for resource uptake, which could promote niche partitioning. In the present study, based on the biogeochemical niche concept and the use of resources in different proportions, we have focused on leaf traits (morphological and chemical) associated with resource uptake, and explored the niche partitioning among functional habits: leaf life-span (deciduous, evergreen, and semideciduous) and growth (tree, shrub, and arborescent-shrub). To this end, we have quantified the hypervolume of the leaf functional trait space (both structure and chemical composition) in a sample of 45 Mediterranean woody species from Sierra Morena Mountains (Spain) growing along a local soil resource gradient. Our results show consistent variation in functional space for woody communities distributed along the environmental gradient. Thus, communities dominated by deciduous trees with faster growth and a predominant acquisitive strategy were characteristic of bottom forests and showed highest leaf biogeochemical space. While semideciduous shrubs and evergreen (arborescent, trees) species, characterized by a conservative strategy, dominated ridge forests and showed smaller functional space. In addition, within each topographical zone or environment type, the foliar biogeochemical niche partitioning would underlie the species ability to coexist by diverging on leaf nutrient composition and resource uptake. Lower niche overlap among functional habits were found, which support that different growth forms and leaf life-habits may facilitate the coexistence of the woody species and niche partitioning along and within the gradient.
| S-EPMC5515866 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background and aimsThe process of domestication has driven dramatic shifts in plant functional traits, including leaf mass per area (LMA). It remains unclear whether domestication has produced concerted shifts in the lower-level anatomical traits that underpin LMA and how these traits in turn affect photosynthesis.MethodsIn this study we investigated controls of LMA and leaf gas exchange by leaf anatomical properties at the cellular, tissue and whole-leaf levels, comparing 26 wild and 31 domesticated genotypes of cotton (Gossypium).Key resultsAs expected, domesticated plants expressed lower LMA, higher photosynthesis and higher stomatal conductance, suggesting a shift towards the 'faster' end of the leaf economics spectrum. At whole-leaf level, variation in LMA was predominantly determined by leaf density (LD) both in wild and domesticated genotypes. At tissue level, higher leaf volume per area (Vleaf) in domesticated genotypes was driven by a simultaneous increase in the volume of epidermal, mesophyll and vascular bundle tissue and airspace, while lower LD resulted from a lower volume of palisade tissue and vascular bundles (which are of high density), paired with a greater volume of epidermis and airspace, which are of low density. The volume of spongy mesophyll exerted direct control on photosynthesis in domesticated genotypes but only indirect control in wild genotypes. At cellular level, a shift to larger but less numerous cells with thinner cell walls underpinned a lower proportion of cell wall mass, and thus a reduction in LD.ConclusionsTaken together, cotton domestication has triggered synergistic shifts in the underlying determinants of LMA but also photosynthesis, at cell, tissue and whole-leaf levels, resulting in a marked shift in plant ecological strategy.
| S-EPMC9445596 | biostudies-literature
Project description:gene expression profiling in different zones along the gradient of the growing maize leaf balde aover a time course of dirunal cycle and carbon starvation by extension of the night Plants assimilate carbon in their photosynthetic tissues in the light. However, carbon is required during the night, and in non-photosynthetic organs. It is therefore essential that plants manage their carbon resources spatially and temporally and coordinate growth with carbon availability. In growing maize (Zea mays) leaf blades a defined developmental gradient facilitates analyses in the cell division, elongation and mature zones. We investigated the responses of the metabolome and transcriptome and polysome loading, as a qualitative proxy for protein synthesis, at dusk, dawn and 6, 14 and 24 hours into an extended night, and tracked whole leaf elongation over this time course. Starch and sugars are depleted by dawn in the mature zone, but only after an extension of the night in the elongation and division zones. Sucrose recovers partially between 14 and 24 h into the extended night in the growth zones but not the mature zone. The global metabolome and transcriptome track these zone-specific changes in sucrose. Leaf elongation and polysome loading in the growth zones also remain high at dawn, decrease between 6 and 14 h into the extended night and then partially recover indicating that growth processes are determined by local carbon status. The level of sucrose-signaling metabolite trehalose-6-phosphate, and the trehalose-6-phosphate:sucrose ratio are much higher in growth than mature zones at dusk and dawn but fall in the extended night. Candidate genes were identified by searching for transcripts that show characteristic temporal response patterns or contrasting responses to carbon starvation in growth and mature zones.
2016-08-24 | GSE85963 | GEO
Project description:An increasing number of studies have found differences in the diversity of plant functional traits between urban and rural sites as a result of urbanization. However, the results remain inconsistent. In this study, we measured morphological and nutrient traits of 11 common woody plants along a continuous urban-rural gradient in Beijing, China. Leaf size (e.g., length, width, and area), specific leaf area, and leaf nitrogen and potassium contents decreased gradually and significantly along the urban-rural gradient, indicating that urbanization can enhance the capacity of plants to acquire resources for growth and production. Furthermore, soil nutrients and air temperature decreased along the urban-rural gradient, while air relative humidity increased. A structural equation model showed that these alterations in physical factors attributable to urbanization contributed directly or indirectly to changes in leaf functional traits, implying that changes in soil nutrients and micro-climate induced by urbanization may affect plant growth and production because of the improvement in resource acquisition capacity.
| S-EPMC8427184 | biostudies-literature
Project description:gene expression profiling in different zones along the gradient of the growing maize leaf balde aover a time course of dirunal cycle and carbon starvation by extension of the night Plants assimilate carbon in their photosynthetic tissues in the light. However, carbon is required during the night, and in non-photosynthetic organs. It is therefore essential that plants manage their carbon resources spatially and temporally and coordinate growth with carbon availability. In growing maize (Zea mays) leaf blades a defined developmental gradient facilitates analyses in the cell division, elongation and mature zones. We investigated the responses of the metabolome and transcriptome and polysome loading, as a qualitative proxy for protein synthesis, at dusk, dawn and 6, 14 and 24 hours into an extended night, and tracked whole leaf elongation over this time course. Starch and sugars are depleted by dawn in the mature zone, but only after an extension of the night in the elongation and division zones. Sucrose recovers partially between 14 and 24 h into the extended night in the growth zones but not the mature zone. The global metabolome and transcriptome track these zone-specific changes in sucrose. Leaf elongation and polysome loading in the growth zones also remain high at dawn, decrease between 6 and 14 h into the extended night and then partially recover indicating that growth processes are determined by local carbon status. The level of sucrose-signaling metabolite trehalose-6-phosphate, and the trehalose-6-phosphate:sucrose ratio are much higher in growth than mature zones at dusk and dawn but fall in the extended night. Candidate genes were identified by searching for transcripts that show characteristic temporal response patterns or contrasting responses to carbon starvation in growth and mature zones. 3 repliucates per time point and leaf region, each pooled form 5 indiviual plants
2016-08-24 | E-GEOD-85963 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:In family Cleomaceae there are NAD-malic enzyme-type C4 species having different forms of leaf anatomy. Leaves of Cleome angustifolia have Glossocardioid-type anatomy with a single complex Kranz unit which surrounds all the veins, while C. gynandra has Atriplicoid anatomy with multiple Kranz units, each surrounding an individual vein. Biochemical and ultrastructural differentiation of mesophyll (M) and bundle sheath (BS) cells were studied along a developmental gradient, from the leaf base (youngest) to the tip (mature). Initially, there is cell-specific expression of certain photosynthetic enzymes, which subsequently increase along with structural differentiation. At the base of the leaf, following division of ground tissue to form M and BS cells which are structurally similar, there is selective localization of Rubisco and glycine decarboxylase to BS cells. Thus, a biochemical C3 default stage, with Rubisco expression in both cell types, does not occur. Additionally, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) is selectively expressed in M cells near the base. Surprisingly, in both species, an additional layer of spongy M cells on the abaxial side of the leaf has the same differentiation with PEPC, even though it is not in contact with BS cells. During development along the longitudinal gradient there is structural differentiation of the cells, chloroplasts, and mitochondria, resulting in complete formation of Kranz anatomy. In both species, development of the C4 system occurs similarly, irrespective of having very different types of Kranz anatomy, different ontogenetic origins of BS and M, and independent evolutionary origins of C4 photosynthesis.
| S-EPMC4085953 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Transcriptome of three zones (from the base to 3.5 cm, from 3.5 to 7.0 cm and from 7.0 to 10.5 cm) of the developing fourth leaf of maize B104 plants was profiled at two days after leaf appearance (DALA). Only leaf samples were taken for well-watered plants.
2021-11-17 | E-MTAB-11108 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Foliar pathogens face heterogeneous environments depending on the maturity of leaves they interact with. In particular, nutrient availability as well as defense levels may vary significantly, with opposing effects on the success of infection. The present study tested which of these factors have a dominant effect on the pathogen's development. Poplar leaf disks of eight maturity levels were inoculated with the poplar rust fungus Melampsora larici-populina using an innovative single-spore inoculation procedure. A set of quantitative fungal traits (infection efficiency, latent period, uredinia size, mycelium quantity, sporulation rate, sporulation capacity, and spore volume) was measured on each infected leaf disk. Uninfected parts of the leaves were analyzed for their nutrient (sugars, total C and N) and defense compounds (phenolics) content. We found that M. larici-populina is more aggressive on more mature leaves as indicated by wider uredinia and a higher sporulation rate. Other traits varied independently from each other without a consistent pattern. None of the pathogen traits correlated with leaf sugar, total C, or total N content. In contrast, phenolic contents (flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acid esters, and salicinoids) were negatively correlated with uredinia size and sporulation rate. The pathogen's fitness appeared to be more constrained by the constitutive plant defense level than limited by nutrient availability, as evident in the decrease in sporulation.
| S-EPMC6172983 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Most studies of biodiversity-elevational patterns do not take species abundance into consideration. Hill numbers are a unified family of indices that use species abundance and allow a complete characterization of species assemblages through diversity profiles. Studies on dung beetle responses to elevation were essentially based on species richness and produced inconsistent results because of the non-distinction between different habitats and the use of gradients dispersed over wide areas. We analyzed dung beetle diversity in a Mediterranean mountain (central Italy) for different habitats (woodlands vs. grasslands) and taxonomic groups (scarabaeids and aphodiids). Scarabaeids were the most abundant. Since scarabaeids are able to construct subterranean nests, this indicates that the warm and dry summer climatic conditions of high elevations favor species capable of protecting their larvae from desiccation. Dung beetles were more abundant and diversified in grasslands than in woodlands, which is consistent with their preference for open habitats. In the woodlands, diversity increased with increasing elevation because of increasing tree thinning, whereas, in the grasslands, diversity decreased with elevation because of increasingly harsher environmental conditions. These results indicate a trade-off in the beetle response to elevation between the positive effects of increasing the availability of more suitable habitats and the decrease of optimal environmental conditions.
| S-EPMC8466803 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Despite the recognition of streams and rivers as sources of methane (CH4) to the atmosphere, the role of CH4 oxidation (MOX) in these ecosystems remains poorly understood to date. Here, we measured the kinetics of MOX in stream sediments of 14 sites to resolve the ecophysiology of CH4 oxidizing bacteria (MOB) communities. The streams cover a gradient of land cover and associated physicochemical parameter and differed in stream- and porewater CH4 concentrations. Michealis-Menten kinetic parameter of MOX, maximum reaction velocity (V max ), and CH4 concentration at half V max (K S ) increased with CH4 supply. K S values in the micromolar range matched the CH4 concentrations measured in shallow stream sediments and indicate that MOX is mostly driven by low-affinity MOB. 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified MOB classified as Methylococcaceae and particularly Crenothrix. Their relative abundance correlated with pmoA gene counts and MOX rates, underscoring their pivotal role as CH4 oxidizers in stream sediments. Building on the concept of enterotypes, we identify two distinct groups of co-occurring MOB. While there was no taxonomic difference among the members of each cluster, one cluster contained abundant and common MOB, whereas the other cluster contained rare operational taxonomic units (OTUs) specific to a subset of streams. These integrated analyses of changes in MOB community structure, gene abundance, and the corresponding ecosystem process contribute to a better understanding of the distal controls on MOX in streams.
| S-EPMC7241049 | biostudies-literature