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Optimal allocation of leaf epidermal area for gas exchange
Hugo J de Boer1,2, Charles A Price2,3, Friederike Wagner-Cremer4
1Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
The New Phytologist
|March 19, 2016
Summary
Plants balance carbon gain and water loss by optimizing leaf stomata. This study develops a framework showing stomatal traits minimize epidermal area investment for efficient gas exchange, especially in angiosperms.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Phytology
- Plant physiology
Background:
- Understanding how plants balance carbon uptake and water loss is crucial.
- Leaf epidermal space allocation to stomata is a key factor in this balance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a quantitative theoretical framework predicting allometric relationships between stomatal traits.
- To understand the trade-offs in epidermal area allocation for gas exchange.
Main Methods:
- Derived a theoretical framework from first principles of diffusion and geometry.
- Hypothesized that selection for higher maximum stomatal conductance involves minimizing epidermal allocation.
- Tested predictions using data from 1057 species across major plant clades.
Main Results:
- Stomatal traits across diverse species support the theoretical framework.
- Plants with higher maximum stomatal conductance minimize epidermal area investment.
- Angiosperm stomatal morphology specifically evolved along spatially optimal allometric relationships.
Conclusions:
- The developed framework accurately predicts stomatal trait allometry.
- Optimal allometry minimizes epidermal investment for efficient gas exchange.
- Angiosperms exhibit unique flexibility in leaf gas exchange due to their stomatal evolution.
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