Photosynthesis, leaf longevity and defense characteristics in trees of Betulaceae planted in northern Japan
2006
Koike, T.(Hokkaido Univ., Sapporo (Japan)) | Matsuki, S. | Choi, D. | Matsumoto, T. | Watanabe, Y. | Maruyama, Y.
Basic understanding of the relationship between photosynthetic capacity, leaf defenses and leaf longevity is important for the maintenance of forest vigor and health. We compared physical (leaf mass per area, leaf toughness, presence of trichomes) and chemical (total phenolics, condensed tannin) defense characteristics of leaves, net photosynthesis, and leaf carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio among trees and saplings of 18 Betulaceae species. These included five species (Alnus glutinosa, A. incana, A. sibirica, Betula pendula, and B. verrucosa) originating from the Eurasian continent. A weak negative correlation was found between leaf lifespan and LMA (leaf mass per area). No relation between the existence of trichome and leaf longevity was found. The amount of total phenolics showed a positive correlation with C/N ratio in leaves. Leaf longevity was negatively correlated with the amount of total phenolics. Except for Betula platyphylla, two species of Carpinus and Corylus heterophylla, there was a positive correlation between the amount of condensed tannin and leaf longevity. Successional traits of 18 Betulaceae species and leaf defense characteristics are discussed based on relations of the C/N ratio of leaves and adaptive radiation in the family. Early successional species had higher photosynthetic rate with short longevity of leaves and smaller content of defense chemicals and vice versa for late successional species.
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