Leaf mechanical properties as potential predictors of leaf-litter decomposability
The mechanical resistance of plant leaves to herbivores and physical disturbances have a lasting legacy impact on leaf-litter decomposition rates and nutrient leaching. However, in the past, leaf mechanics were seldom considered as key factors in regulating ecological processes related to leaf-litte...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Maximum Academic Press
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Forestry Research |
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| Online Access: | https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/FR-2023-0021 |
| _version_ | 1797293172219445248 |
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| author | Wenshan Li Zhenya Liu Jianfeng Zhao Liangfan Ma Jiahao Wu Jinfeng Qi Hang Wang |
| author_facet | Wenshan Li Zhenya Liu Jianfeng Zhao Liangfan Ma Jiahao Wu Jinfeng Qi Hang Wang |
| author_sort | Wenshan Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The mechanical resistance of plant leaves to herbivores and physical disturbances have a lasting legacy impact on leaf-litter decomposition rates and nutrient leaching. However, in the past, leaf mechanics were seldom considered as key factors in regulating ecological processes related to leaf-litter decomposition. In this paper, we explored the physical strength traits of leaves, which are essential components of plant functional traits. These traits are primarily manifested through three mechanical properties: force to punch, force to tear, and work to shear. We discuss their potential applications in order to better understand trait-based factors influencing leaf-litter decomposition as well as other ecological processes. Their ecological connections and distinctions from other widely discussed plant functional traits relevant to decomposition processes were also addressed. By conducting an extensive literature survey, we further showed the importance and irreplaceability of leaf physical strength traits as potential predictors of leaf-litter decomposability compared with commonly measured plant chemical traits (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, and lignin). Recognizing leaf mechanics as vital yet previously overlooked determinants of ecological processes governing leaf-litter decomposition, we propose incorporating this set of traits into existing predictive models to improve the explanatory capability of plant species traits in regulating leaf-litter decomposition processes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T20:09:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-80eeaa51f36a42ddbef585c74b7ded3e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2767-3812 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T20:09:01Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Maximum Academic Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forestry Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-80eeaa51f36a42ddbef585c74b7ded3e2024-02-28T01:55:38ZengMaximum Academic PressForestry Research2767-38122023-01-01311610.48130/FR-2023-0021FR-2023-0021Leaf mechanical properties as potential predictors of leaf-litter decomposabilityWenshan Li0Zhenya Liu1Jianfeng Zhao2Liangfan Ma3Jiahao Wu4Jinfeng Qi5Hang Wang6Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Ecological Services, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, People's Republic of ChinaYunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Ecological Services, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, People's Republic of ChinaYunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Ecological Services, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, People's Republic of ChinaYunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Ecological Services, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, People's Republic of ChinaForestry College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of ChinaDepartment of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, People's Republic of ChinaYunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Ecological Services, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, People's Republic of ChinaThe mechanical resistance of plant leaves to herbivores and physical disturbances have a lasting legacy impact on leaf-litter decomposition rates and nutrient leaching. However, in the past, leaf mechanics were seldom considered as key factors in regulating ecological processes related to leaf-litter decomposition. In this paper, we explored the physical strength traits of leaves, which are essential components of plant functional traits. These traits are primarily manifested through three mechanical properties: force to punch, force to tear, and work to shear. We discuss their potential applications in order to better understand trait-based factors influencing leaf-litter decomposition as well as other ecological processes. Their ecological connections and distinctions from other widely discussed plant functional traits relevant to decomposition processes were also addressed. By conducting an extensive literature survey, we further showed the importance and irreplaceability of leaf physical strength traits as potential predictors of leaf-litter decomposability compared with commonly measured plant chemical traits (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, and lignin). Recognizing leaf mechanics as vital yet previously overlooked determinants of ecological processes governing leaf-litter decomposition, we propose incorporating this set of traits into existing predictive models to improve the explanatory capability of plant species traits in regulating leaf-litter decomposition processes.https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/FR-2023-0021litter decompositionleaf functional traitlitter qualitylitter physical strength traitleaf toughness |
| spellingShingle | Wenshan Li Zhenya Liu Jianfeng Zhao Liangfan Ma Jiahao Wu Jinfeng Qi Hang Wang Leaf mechanical properties as potential predictors of leaf-litter decomposability Forestry Research litter decomposition leaf functional trait litter quality litter physical strength trait leaf toughness |
| title | Leaf mechanical properties as potential predictors of leaf-litter decomposability |
| title_full | Leaf mechanical properties as potential predictors of leaf-litter decomposability |
| title_fullStr | Leaf mechanical properties as potential predictors of leaf-litter decomposability |
| title_full_unstemmed | Leaf mechanical properties as potential predictors of leaf-litter decomposability |
| title_short | Leaf mechanical properties as potential predictors of leaf-litter decomposability |
| title_sort | leaf mechanical properties as potential predictors of leaf litter decomposability |
| topic | litter decomposition leaf functional trait litter quality litter physical strength trait leaf toughness |
| url | https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/FR-2023-0021 |
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