Leaf life span, dynamics and construction cost of species from Mediterranean old-fields differing in successional...

•  Variations in leaf life span (LLS), construction cost (CC) and dynamics patterns (periods of leaf production, t_p , and loss, t_L , time lag separating the end of leaf production and the beginning of leaf loss, t) were investigated in species differing in successional status and life forms. We tested how those traits varied along the succession and how these were interrelated. A new graphical framework is proposed to assess the influence of dynamics traits on LLS. •  The study was conducted on 42 species of contrasted life forms, typical of various stages of secondary succession, under the Mediterranean climate of southern France. •  LLS increased along the succession, t_p was shorter and t longer in species from the later stage, without significant change in CC or t_L . Herbaceous species, mostly of early successional status, had short-lived, low-CC leaves, produced and lost continuously. Woody species, of later successional status, had long-lived leaves, with slightly higher CC than herbs. LLS and CC or payback time were weakly correlated. •  Variations in LLS and leaf dynamics along the succession were related to changes in plant stature and growth potential of species, captured by leaf traits. Whether this is the consequence of a decrease in frequency of disturbance or of a change in the level of resources remains an open question.