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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
11:09
Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits
Published on: October 12, 2015
Photosynthetic nutrient-use efficiency in three fast-growing tropical trees with differing leaf longevities
1Department of Botany, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, USA.
Tree Physiology
|April 17, 2001
Summary
Tropical trees show that leaf life span, not just leaf habit, influences nutrient-use efficiency. Longer leaf life spans correlate with higher cumulative nutrient use, while shorter spans enhance potential nutrient use.
Area of Science:
- Plant Ecology
- Nutrient Cycling
- Photosynthesis
Background:
- Nutrient-use efficiency (NUE) in plants is often linked to leaf habit (evergreen vs. deciduous).
- Evergreens were hypothesized to be more nutrient-use efficient due to longer nutrient retention in long-lived leaves.
- In tropical trees, leaf life span, rather than deciduousness, may be a better indicator of nutrient-use efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between leaf life span and nutrient-use efficiency in tropical trees.
- To test predictions that potential NUE decreases with leaf life span, while cumulative NUE increases.
- To measure potential and cumulative nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiencies in three tropical tree species.
Main Methods:
- Measured leaf life spans, ranging from 50 to 176 days, for Cedrela odorata, Cordia alliodora, and Hyeronima alchorneoides.
- Quantified potential photosynthetic nutrient-use efficiency (photosynthesis rate/leaf nutrient content).
- Quantified cumulative photosynthetic nutrient-use efficiency (total carbon assimilated/total nutrients invested).
Main Results:
- Leaf life span varied significantly among the studied tropical tree species.
- Cedrela odorata (shortest leaf life span) exhibited the highest potential nitrogen-use efficiency.
- Hyeronima alchorneoides (longest leaf life span) showed the highest cumulative nitrogen- and phosphorus-use efficiencies.
- Potential phosphorus-use efficiency did not significantly differ among species.
Conclusions:
- Leaf life span is a key factor in determining nutrient-use efficiency in tropical trees.
- Trade-offs exist between achieving high potential and high cumulative nutrient-use efficiency.
- High potential NUE may benefit plants in nutrient-rich environments, while high cumulative NUE is advantageous in nutrient-poor conditions.
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