University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Intra-specific variation in leaf attributes of four savanna tree species across a rainfall gradient in tropical Australia

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 19:42 authored by Lynda PriorLynda Prior, David BowmanDavid Bowman, Eamus, D
Leaf attributes of four savanna tree species were measured along a rainfall gradient (1650-950 mm per annum) in the Australian monsoon tropics. As the mean annual rainfall decreased, leaf thickness increased for three of these four species. However, a corresponding decrease in leaf density for two species meant that leaf mass per area increased significantly only for one species. Physiological measurements were made during both the wet and dry seasons on comparable stands of vegetation near the extremes and middle of this gradient. Assimilation per unit mass was similar at all three sites but assimilation per leaf area was higher at the drier sites because leaves were thicker with higher mass per area. These results probably reflect reduced tree density and leaf area index at the drier sites, which offsets the lower rainfall, potentially allowing similar rates of assimilation per unit carbohydrate invested in leaves. © CSIRO 2005.

History

Publication title

Australian Journal of Botany

Volume

53

Issue

4

Pagination

323-335

ISSN

0067-1924

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

CSIRO Publishing

Place of publication

Victoria

Rights statement

Copyright © 2005 CSIRO

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Social impacts of climate change and variability

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC