Patterns of morphological leaf traits among pteridophytes along humidity and temperature gradients in the Bolivian Andes

Functional Plant Biology : FPB
Michael KesslerCaroline Wegner

Abstract

Macroecological patterns of leaf traits can be used to assess adaptive responses of plants to environmental stress. Here we present the first such study on a large number of fern species (403) along gradients of elevation (temperature) and humidity. To assess how the representation of traits such as degree of lamina dissection, leaf length, leaf mass per area (LMA), trichome density, venation density, stomatal density, and of adaptive strategies such as poikilohydry vary at the community and species levels in response to changes in humidity and temperature in the Bolivian Andes, we (1) compared whole pteridophyte communities at 14 sites, and (2) analysed intraspecific variation of the morphological traits of 17 fern species along an elevational gradient at 1700-3400 m in humid forest. Among the fern communities of the 14 sites, leaf length decreased with elevation and aridity, LMA increased with elevation, and trichome density and venation density increased with aridity. The study of intraspecific variation among 17 species showed an increase of stomatal density with elevation in six of 11 species (filmy ferns lacked stomata), an increase of specific weight in 15 species, a decrease of trichome density in seven of 10 species (o...Continue Reading

References

Dec 10, 1997·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·P B ReichD S Ellsworth
Aug 28, 1999·Science·J C McElwainF I Woodward
Apr 3, 2004·Nature·Harald SchneiderRichard Lupia
Apr 23, 2004·Nature·Ian J WrightRafael Villar
Apr 11, 2006·Ecology·Bill ShipleyPeter B Reich
Jan 6, 2007·The New Phytologist·Amanda L Karst, Martin J Lechowicz
Apr 1, 2005·Functional Plant Biology : FPB·Owen K AtkinMark G Tjoelker
Dec 1, 2002·The New Phytologist·Michael C F Proctor, Zoltán Tuba

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 29, 2014·Anais Da Academia Brasileira De Ciências·Felipe C NettesheimLana S Sylvestre
May 28, 2011·American Journal of Botany·James E WatkinsMaciej A Zwieniecki
May 19, 2009·Tree Physiology·Katerina IoviAris Kyparissis
Feb 19, 2013·Oecologia·Jennifer L Funk, Kathryn L Amatangelo
Mar 6, 2021·Plant, Cell & Environment·Courtney E CampanyJames E Watkins

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.