Abstract
• Leaf dark respiration (R) is one of the most fundamental physiological processes in plants and is a major component of terrestrial CO2 input to the atmosphere. Still, it is unclear how predictably species vary in R along broad climate gradients. • Data for R and other key leaf traits were compiled for 208 woody species from 20 sites around the world. We quantified relationships between R and site climate, and climate-related variation in relationships between R and other leaf traits. • Species at higher-irradiance sites had higher mean R at a given leaf N concentration, specific leaf area (SLA), photosynthetic capacity (Amass) or leaf lifespan than species at lower-irradiance sites. Species at lower-rainfall sites had higher mean R at a given SLA or Amass than species at higher-rainfall sites. On average, estimated field rates of R were higher at warmer sites, while no trend with site temperature was seen when R was adjusted to a standard measurement temperature. • Our findings should prove useful for modelling plant nutrient and carbon budgets, and for modelling vegetation shifts with climate change.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 309-319 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | New Phytologist |
Volume | 169 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Climate gradients
- Leaf lifespan
- Leaf nitrogen
- Photosynthesis
- Plant metabolism
- Specific leaf area