Size-dependent variations in individual traits and trait scaling relationships within a shade-tolerant evergreen...

The plant size-trait relationship is a fundamental dimension in the spectrum of plant form and function. However, it remains unclear whether the trait scaling relationship within species is modified by tree size. Investigating size-dependent trait covariations within species is crucial for understanding the ontogenetic constraints on the intraspecific economic spectrum and, more broadly, the structure and causes of intraspecific trait variations.

We measured eight morphological, stoichiometric, and hydraulic traits for 604 individual plants of a shade-tolerant evergreen tree species, Litsea elongata, in a subtropical evergreen forest of eastern China. Individual trait values were regressed against tree basal diameter to evaluate size-dependent trait variations. Standardized major axis regression was employed to examine trait scaling relationships and to test whether there was a common slope and elevation in the trait scaling relationship across size classes.

Small trees tended to have larger, thinner leaves and longer, slenderer stems than larger trees, which indicates an acquisitive economic strategy in juvenile trees. Leaf nitrogen concentrations increased with plant size, which was likely due to a high ratio of structural to photosynthetic nitrogen in the evergreen leaves of large trees. Bivariate trait scaling was minimally modified by tree size, although the elevation of some relationships differed between size classes.

Our results suggest that there are common economic and biophysical constraints on intraspecific trait covariation, independent of tree size. Small and large trees tend to be located at opposite ends of an intraspecific plant economic spectrum.