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Leaf trait co‐variation and trade‐offs in gallery forest C 3 and CAM epiphytes
Abstract Despite their unique adaptations to thrive in canopy environments without access to soil resources, epiphytes are underrepresented in studies of functional traits and of functional composition of tropical plant communities. We investigated functional traits of spermatophytic (seed‐bearing)...
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| Published in: | Biotropica 2021-03, Vol.53 (2), p.520-535 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Abstract
Despite their unique adaptations to thrive in canopy environments without access to soil resources, epiphytes are underrepresented in studies of functional traits and of functional composition of tropical plant communities. We investigated functional traits of spermatophytic (seed‐bearing) C
3
and CAM epiphyte communities in flooded and non‐flooded gallery forests in Central Brazil. The two forest types differ in floristic, structure, microclimate, and edaphic conditions. We studied plant size, leaf thickness, leaf dry matter content (LDMC), leaf water content, leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf C, N, P, K, Mg, and Ca, and stable isotope ratios (δ
13
C and δ
15
N). Because photosynthetic pathway (C
3
or CAM) is an important aspect of ecological differentiation for spermatophytic epiphytes, we expected that functional trait syndromes in a multivariate space would be more associated with photosynthetic pathway than forest type, and changes in abundance of C
3
and CAM epiphytes would drive functional trait composition at the community level. C
3
and CAM epiphytes segregated in the multivariate trait space; however, more complex functional typologies were also evident. Despite lower light levels, CAM epiphytes were more abundant in the flooded gallery forest. There, they accounted for 80% of all individuals, whereas C
3
epiphytes dominated in the non‐flooded forest. These large differences in the proportion of CAM and C
3
epiphytes strongly affected functional trait values at the community level, despite very little intraspecific variation in trait values between forest types for species that occurred in both forests.
Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
RESUMO
Apesar de suas adaptações únicas para prosperar no dossel sem acesso aos recursos do solo, as epífitas estão sub‐representadas em estudos de características funcionais e de composição funcional de comunidades de plantas tropicais. Nós investigamos características funcionais de comunidades de epífitas espermatófitas do tipo C
3
e CAM em matas de galeria inundadas e não inundadas no Brasil Central. Os dois tipos de floresta diferem em florística, estrutura, microclima e condições edáficas. Foram estudados o tamanho da planta, espessura da folha, teor de matéria seca foliar, teor de água foliar, área foliar, área foliar específica, concentrações foliares de C, N, P, K, Mg, Ca e razões de isótopos estáveis ( δ
13
C e δ
15
N). Como a via fotossintética (C
3
ou CAM) é |
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| ISSN: | 0006-3606 1744-7429 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/btp.12895 |