Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026

Reconstructing Terrestrial Paleoclimate and Paleoecology with Fossil Leaves Using Digital Leaf Physiognomy and Leaf Mass Per Area
Published on: October 25, 2024
Leaf growth dynamics in four plant species of the Patagonian Monte, Argentina
M Victoria Campanella1, Mónica B Bertiller
1Centro Nacional Patagónico (CENPAT, CONICET), Boulevard Brown 2915, 9120, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina. campanella@cenpat.edu.ar
Abstract:
Studying plant responses to environmental variables is an elemental key to understand the functioning of arid ecosystems. We selected four dominant species of the two main life forms. The species selected were two evergreen shrubs: Larrea divaricata and Chuquiraga avellanedae and two perennial grasses: Nassella tenuis and Pappostipa speciosa. We registered leaf/shoot growth, leaf production and environmental variables (precipitation, air temperature, and volumetric soil water content at two depths) during summer-autumn and winter-spring periods. Multiple regressions were used to test the predictive power of the environmental variables. During the summer-autumn period, the strongest predictors of leaf/shoot growth and leaf production were the soil water content of the upper layer and air temperature while during the winter-spring period, the strongest predictor was air temperature. In conclusion, we found that the leaf/shoot growth and leaf production were associated with current environmental conditions, specially to soil water content and air temperature.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Light Acquisition
Meristems and Plant Growth
Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots
Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Basic Plant Anatomy: Roots, Stems, and Leaves

