Title: Leaf angle as a leaf and canopy trait: Rejuvenating its role in ecology with new technology

Journal Article · · Ecology Letters
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.14215 · OSTI ID:1971921
ORCiD logo [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [3];  [4];  [5]; ORCiD logo [6];  [5];  [4];  [7]
  1. Department of Environmental Sciences University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA
  2. Goddard Space Flight Center NASA Greenbelt Maryland USA, Department of Geographical Sciences University of Maryland College Park Maryland USA
  3. Department of Environmental Sciences University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA, Earth and Environmental Sciences Area Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley California USA
  4. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca New York USA
  5. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Indiana University—Bloomington Bloomington Indiana USA
  6. Department of Biology Indiana University—Bloomington Indiana Bloomington USA
  7. Department of Environmental Sciences University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA, Department of Biology University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA

Abstract Life on Earth depends on the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy by plants through photosynthesis. A fundamental challenge in optimizing photosynthesis is to adjust leaf angles to efficiently use the intercepted sunlight under the constraints of heat stress, water loss and competition. Despite the importance of leaf angle, until recently, we have lacked data and frameworks to describe and predict leaf angle dynamics and their impacts on leaves to the globe. We review the role of leaf angle in studies of ecophysiology, ecosystem ecology and earth system science, and highlight the essential yet understudied role of leaf angle as an ecological strategy to regulate plant carbon–water–energy nexus and to bridge leaf, canopy and earth system processes. Using two models, we show that leaf angle variations have significant impacts on not only canopy‐scale photosynthesis, energy balance and water use efficiency but also light competition within the forest canopy. New techniques to measure leaf angles are emerging, opening opportunities to understand the rarely‐measured intraspecific, interspecific, seasonal and interannual variations of leaf angles and their implications to plant biology and earth system science. We conclude by proposing three directions for future research.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0023048
OSTI ID:
1971921
Journal Information:
Ecology Letters, Journal Name: Ecology Letters Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 26; ISSN 1461-023X
Publisher:
Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English

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