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Title: Optimization of leaf morphology in relation to leaf water status: A theory

Abstract

The leaf economic traits such as leaf area, maximum carbon assimilation rate, and venation are all correlated and related to water availability. Furthermore, leaves are often broad and large in humid areas and narrower in arid/semiarid and hot and cold areas. We use optimization theory to explain these patterns. We have created a constrained optimization leaf model linking leaf shape to vein structure that is integrated into coupled transpiration and carbon assimilation processes. The model maximizes net leaf carbon gain (NPPleaf) over the loss of xylem water potential. Modeled relations between leaf traits are consistent with empirically observed patterns. As the results of the leaf shape-venation relation, our model further predicts that a broadleaf has overall higher NPPleaf compared to a narrowleaf. In addition, a broadleaf has a lower stomatal resistance compared to a narrowleaf under the same level of constraint. With the same leaf area, a broadleaf will have, on average, larger conduits and lower total leaf xylem resistance and thus be more efficient in water transportation but less resistant to cavitation. By linking venation structure to leaf shape and using water potential as the constraint, our model provides a physical explanation for the general pattern of the covariancemore » of leaf traits through the safety-efficiency trade-off of leaf hydraulic design.« less

Authors:
ORCiD logo [1];  [2];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Calgary, AB (Canada); Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
  2. Univ. of Calgary, AB (Canada)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC); Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
OSTI Identifier:
1603617
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC02-05CH11231
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Ecology and Evolution
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 10; Journal Issue: 3; Journal ID: ISSN 2045-7758
Publisher:
Wiley
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; hydraulic traits; leaf carbon budget; leaf shape; safety-efficiency trade-off; stomatal optimization; vascular system; vein structure; xylem resistance

Citation Formats

Ding, Junyan, Johnson, Edward A., and Martin, Yvonne E. Optimization of leaf morphology in relation to leaf water status: A theory. United States: N. p., 2020. Web. doi:10.1002/ece3.6004.
Ding, Junyan, Johnson, Edward A., & Martin, Yvonne E. Optimization of leaf morphology in relation to leaf water status: A theory. United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6004
Ding, Junyan, Johnson, Edward A., and Martin, Yvonne E. Wed . "Optimization of leaf morphology in relation to leaf water status: A theory". United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6004. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1603617.
@article{osti_1603617,
title = {Optimization of leaf morphology in relation to leaf water status: A theory},
author = {Ding, Junyan and Johnson, Edward A. and Martin, Yvonne E.},
abstractNote = {The leaf economic traits such as leaf area, maximum carbon assimilation rate, and venation are all correlated and related to water availability. Furthermore, leaves are often broad and large in humid areas and narrower in arid/semiarid and hot and cold areas. We use optimization theory to explain these patterns. We have created a constrained optimization leaf model linking leaf shape to vein structure that is integrated into coupled transpiration and carbon assimilation processes. The model maximizes net leaf carbon gain (NPPleaf) over the loss of xylem water potential. Modeled relations between leaf traits are consistent with empirically observed patterns. As the results of the leaf shape-venation relation, our model further predicts that a broadleaf has overall higher NPPleaf compared to a narrowleaf. In addition, a broadleaf has a lower stomatal resistance compared to a narrowleaf under the same level of constraint. With the same leaf area, a broadleaf will have, on average, larger conduits and lower total leaf xylem resistance and thus be more efficient in water transportation but less resistant to cavitation. By linking venation structure to leaf shape and using water potential as the constraint, our model provides a physical explanation for the general pattern of the covariance of leaf traits through the safety-efficiency trade-off of leaf hydraulic design.},
doi = {10.1002/ece3.6004},
journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
number = 3,
volume = 10,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 2020},
month = {Wed Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 2020}
}

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Hydrostatic constraints on morphological exploitation of light in tall Sequoia sempervirens trees
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Height-related changes in leaf photosynthetic traits in diverse Bornean tropical rain forest trees
journal, November 2014


Leaf thickness controls variation in leaf mass per area (LMA) among grazing-adapted grasses in Serengeti
journal, April 2016

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A perspective on optimal leaf stomatal conductance under CO2 and light co-limitations
journal, December 2013


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journal, December 2009


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journal, April 2004

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Optimal vein density in artificial and real leaves
journal, July 2008

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  • DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0709194105

Revealing catastrophic failure of leaf networks under stress
journal, April 2016

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  • DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1522569113

A stomatal optimization theory to describe the effects of atmospheric CO2 on leaf photosynthesis and transpiration
journal, December 2009

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  • Annals of Botany, Vol. 105, Issue 3
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Convergence in leaf size versus twig leaf area scaling: do plants optimize leaf area partitioning?
journal, December 2016

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Stay wet or else: three ways in which plants can adjust hydraulically to their environment
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journal, February 2002


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journal, June 2006


Coordination of leaf structure and gas exchange along a height gradient in a tall conifer
journal, December 2008


The Interpretation of the Variations in Leaf Water Potential and Stomatal Conductance Found in Canopies in the Field
journal, February 1976

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journal, June 2016

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  • DOI: 10.1104/pp.16.00476

Does turgor limit growth in tall trees?
journal, February 2004


Leaf internal diffusion conductance limits photosynthesis more strongly in older leaves of Mediterranean evergreen broad-leaved species
journal, December 2005


Effects of tree height on branch hydraulics, leaf structure and gas exchange in California redwoods
journal, July 2009


Plants intertwine fluvial landform dynamics with ecological succession and natural selection: a niche construction perspective for riparian systems
journal, July 2009


The influence of CO2 concentration on stomatal density
journal, November 1995


Variation in xylem structure and function in stems and roots of trees to 20 m depth
journal, September 2004


Leaf hydraulic vulnerability is related to conduit dimensions and drought resistance across a diverse range of woody angiosperms
journal, August 2010


Plant xylem hydraulics: What we understand, current research, and future challenges: Plant xylem hydraulics
journal, June 2017

  • Venturas, Martin D.; Sperry, John S.; Hacke, Uwe G.
  • Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, Vol. 59, Issue 6
  • DOI: 10.1111/jipb.12534

Weak tradeoff between xylem safety and xylem-specific hydraulic efficiency across the world's woody plant species
journal, September 2015

  • Gleason, Sean M.; Westoby, Mark; Jansen, Steven
  • New Phytologist, Vol. 209, Issue 1
  • DOI: 10.1111/nph.13646

Pragmatic hydraulic theory predicts stomatal responses to climatic water deficits
journal, June 2016

  • Sperry, John S.; Wang, Yujie; Wolfe, Brett T.
  • New Phytologist, Vol. 212, Issue 3
  • DOI: 10.1111/nph.14059

Leaf vein xylem conduit diameter influences susceptibility to embolism and hydraulic decline
journal, November 2016

  • Scoffoni, Christine; Albuquerque, Caetano; Brodersen, Craig R.
  • New Phytologist, Vol. 213, Issue 3
  • DOI: 10.1111/nph.14256

Global climatic drivers of leaf size
journal, August 2017


Plant Ecological Strategies: Some Leading Dimensions of Variation Between Species
journal, November 2002


Fundamental Trade-Offs Generating the Worldwide leaf Economics Spectrum
journal, March 2006

  • Shipley, Bill; Lechowicz, Martin J.; Wright, Ian
  • Ecology, Vol. 87, Issue 3
  • DOI: 10.1890/05-1051

Scaling mass and Morphology in Leaves: an Extension of the wbe Model
journal, May 2007

  • Price, Charles A.; Enquist, Brian J.
  • Ecology, Vol. 88, Issue 5
  • DOI: 10.1890/06-1158

Leaf architecture and direction of incident light influence mesophyll fluorescence profiles
journal, September 2005

  • Johnson, Daniel M.; Smith, William K.; Vogelmann, Thomas C.
  • American Journal of Botany, Vol. 92, Issue 9
  • DOI: 10.3732/ajb.92.9.1425