Strategies of leaf water uptake based on anatomical traits.
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Date
2018
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Abstract
The ability of leaves to absorb fog water can positively contribute to the water and carbon
balance of plants in montane ecosystems, especially in periods of soil water deficit.
However, the ecophysiological traits and mechanisms responsible for variations in the
speed and total water absorption capacity of leaves are still poorly known.
• This study investigated leaf anatomical attributes of seven species occurring in seasonal
tropical high-altitude ecosystems (rocky outcrop and forest), which could
explain differences in leaf water uptake (LWU) capacities. We tested the hypothesis
that different sets of anatomical leaf attributes will be more marked in plant individuals
living under these contrasting environmental conditions. Anatomical variations
will affect the initial rate of water absorption and the total storage capacity, resulting
in different strategies for using the water supplied by fog events.
• Water absorption by leaves was inferred indirectly, based on leaf anatomical structure
and visual observation of the main access routes (using an apoplastic marker), the diffusion
of water through the cuticle, and non-glandular or glandular trichomes in all
species.
• The results suggest that three LWU strategies coexist in the species studied. The different
anatomical patterns influenced the speed and maximum LWU capacity. The three
LWU strategies can provide different adaptive advantages to adjust to temporal and
spatial variations of water availability in these tropical high-altitude environments.
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Keywords
Apoplastic marker, Fog, Leaf absorption rate, Leaf anatomy, Montane ecosystems
Citation
SOUZA, D. B. de; ISAIAS, R. M. S.; KOZOVITS, A. R. Strategies of leaf water uptake based on anatomical traits. Plant Biology , v. 21, p. 1-9, 2018. Disponível em: <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/plb.12832>. Acesso em: 11 fev. 2019.