Leaf Functional Traits: Ecological and Evolutionary Implications

56.3K

views

86

authors

16

articles

Editorial

21 March 2023

Editorial: Leaf functional traits: Ecological and evolutionary implications

Karl J. Niklas

,

Peijian Shi

,

Johan Gielis

,

Julian Schrader

and

Ülo Niinemets

4,290 views

13 citations

Editors

5

Nanjing Forestry University

University of Antwerp

Cornell University

Estonian University of Life Sciences

Julian Schrader

Macquarie University

Impact

About

Leaves are the primary photosynthetic organs of all land plants. Their functional traits drive the dynamics of all terrestrial ecosystems. Prior studies indicate numerous functional traits (e.g., leaf mass, area, venation, and stomatal conductance) correlate with one another according to predictable scaling relationships. Yet, a mechanistic explanation for this phenomenology remains elusive, despite numerous empirical and theoretical approaches.

The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together diverse perspectives, using both empirical and theoretical approaches, to gain ecological and evolutionary insights into the scaling of leaf functional traits.

The scope of this Research Topic spans all aspects of scaling theory and practice that apply to our understanding leaf physiological, morphometric, ecological, and evolutionary functional traits. These include (but are not limited to):
- understanding the ecological and evolutionary implications of leaf area, mass, perimeter, and shape relationships;
- whether and how scaling relationships differ among functional species-groups and biomes;
- how global climate change affects leaf functional traits.

Leaves are the primary photosynthetic organs of all land plants. Their functional traits drive the dynamics of all terrestrial ecosystems. Prior studies indicate numerous functional traits (e.g., leaf mass, area, venation, and stomatal conductance) correlate with one another according to predictable scaling relationships. Yet, a mechanistic explanation for this phenomenology remains elusive, despite numerous empirical and theoretical approaches.

The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together diverse perspectives, using both empirical and theoretical approaches, to gain ecological and evolutionary insights into the scaling of leaf functional traits.

The scope of this Research Topic spans all aspects of scaling theory and practice that apply to our understanding leaf physiological, morphometric, ecological, and evolutionary functional traits. These include (but are not limited to):
- understanding the ecological and evolutionary implications of leaf area, mass, perimeter, and shape relationships;
- whether and how scaling relationships differ among functional species-groups and biomes;
- how global climate change affects leaf functional traits.

Download ebook

Share

Editors

Nanjing Forestry University

University of Antwerp

Cornell University

Estonian University of Life Sciences

Julian Schrader

Macquarie University

Impact

56,344 Total views

41,507 Article views

12,256 Article downloads

2,581 Topic views

Published In

Journal Thumbnail

Frontiers in Plant Science

Functional Plant Ecology

About Frontiers Research Topics

With their unique mixes of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author.

Suggest a topic