Journal Article

Linking Leaf and Root Trait Syndromes among 39 Grassland and Savannah Species

Tilman, D., Craine, J. M., Reich, P. B., Wedin, D., Tjoelker, M. G.

2005

Overview

$\\bullet$ Here, we tested hypothesized relationships among leaf and fine root traits of grass, forb, legume, and woody plant species of a savannah community. $\\bullet$ CO2 exchange rates, structural traits, chemistry, and longevity were measured in tissues of 39 species grown in long-term monocultures. $\\bullet$ Across species, respiration rates of leaves and fine roots exhibited a common regression relationship with tissue nitrogen (N) concentration, although legumes had lower rates at comparable N concentrations. Respiration rates and N concentration declined with increasing longevity of leaves and roots. Species rankings of leaf and fine-root N and longevity were correlated, but not specific leaf area and specific root length. The C3 and C4 grasses had lower N concentrations than forbs and legumes, but higher photosynthesis rates across a similar range of leaf N. $\\bullet$ Despite contrasting photosynthetic pathways and N2-fixing ability among these species, concordance in above- and below-ground traits was evident in comparable rankings in leaf and root longevity, N and respiration rates, which is evidence of a common leaf and root trait syndrome linking traits to effects on plant and ecosystem processes.

• Publisher: Blackwell Science,Blackwell Science Ltd
• Subject: Carbon Dioxide - metabolism / Climate / Ecosystem / Fabaceae - anatomy & histology / Fabaceae - growth & development / Fabaceae - metabolism / Forbs / Functional groups / leaf lifespan / Leaves / Legumes / Longevity / Nitrogen - metabolism / nitrogen‐use efficiency / photosynthesis / Plant Development / Plant Leaves - anatomy & histology / Plant Leaves - growth & development / Plant Leaves - metabolism / Plant roots / Plant Roots - anatomy & histology / Plant Roots - growth & development / Plant Roots - metabolism / Plants / Plants - anatomy & histology / Plants - metabolism / Poaceae - anatomy & histology / Poaceae - growth & development / Poaceae - metabolism / Respiration / root turnover / Roots of functions / Species / specific leaf area / specific root length