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Leaf Area to Perimeter Ratio in Photosynthesis and Shade Tolerance Study

Explore the relationship between leaf morphology, photosynthesis, and shade tolerance across different tree species. Investigate how leaf shape impacts plant fitness and light interception.

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Leaf Area to Perimeter Ratio in Photosynthesis and Shade Tolerance Study

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  1. Leaf Area : Perimeter RatioShade Tolerance and Photosynthesis Brigette Jones and DunyaOnen Physiological Ecology Spring 2007

  2. Background • One of the simplest questions to ask in plant physiological ecology is “Why are the leaves shaped like that?” • Leaf morphology is highly variable, and leaf functionality is directly related to plant fitness • Strong selective pressure • Additionally many studies have shown that leaf morphology, rather than biochemistry often governs photosynthesis acclimation • Many factors potentially influence shape, and many measures of shape • Incident radiation determining Ps

  3. Sassafras • In light-limiting environments- • Potentially advantageous to extend the leaf in many directions (increase lobbing??, decrease area: edge) • Maximize angle and place variety for light interception • Niklas 1988 showed that Sassafras leaves were more strongly, and more frequently lobed on the interior parts of the branches, where light was intermittent and limiting

  4. Question is mostly unanswered-studies tend to look at other morphological parameters, or don’t connect perimeter to physiological responses, such as photosynthesis • Or are limited to one species, or don’t cover a range of leaf shapes • There must be a function for leaf shape, or such variance would be unlikely-an ideal would have evolved

  5. Hypothesis • Photosynthesis will decrease with increasing Area : Perimeter ratio independent of tree species Predictions • Tree species with greater shade tolerance will have lower A:P • ratios • Within species with plastic leaf morphology, A:P will be lower for shade leaves than sun leaves

  6. Study species were chosen from the avaliable local pool to represent a range of shade tolerance and leaf shape

  7. Tree Species • Paper Birch (Betulapapyrifera)- low shade tolerance, teardrop shaped leaf • American Elm (Ulmusamericana)-moderate shade tolerance, egg-shaped leaf • Northern Red Oak (Quercusrubra)- high shade tolerance, moderately pinnately lobed leaf • Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)- very high shade tolerance, moderately palmately lobed leaf

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