Leaf Functional Traits: Ecological and Evolutionary Implications

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86

authors

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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

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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.

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Editors

Nanjing Forestry University

University of Antwerp

Cornell University

Estonian University of Life Sciences

Julian Schrader

Macquarie University

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54,854 Total views

40,334 Article views

11,969 Article downloads

2,551 Topic views

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Frontiers in Plant Science

Functional Plant Ecology

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