Leaf spectroscopy reveals divergent inter‐ and intra‐species foliar trait covariation and trait–environment relationships across NEON domains

• DOI: 10.1111/nph.18204
• Publication Date: 2022-05-05T12:09:29Z
• Authors: Zhihui Wang; Philip A. Townsend; Eric L. Kruger
• Keywords: Trait; Specific leaf area; Phenotypic trait

Concurrent measurement of multiple foliar traits to assess the full range trade-offs among and within taxa across broad environmental gradients is limited. Leaf spectroscopy can quantify a wide functional traits, enabling assessment interrelationships with environment. We analyzed leaf trait measurements from 32 sites along eco-climatic gradient encompassed by US National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON). explored relationships 14 1103 individuals species, factors. Across all species pooled, between economic (leaf mass per area, nitrogen) indicative defense stress tolerance (phenolics, nonstructural carbohydrates) were weak, but became strong certain species. Elevation, mean annual temperature precipitation weakly predicted variation although some exhibited species-specific significant Foliar vary idiosyncratically express diverse combinations achieve fitness. offers an effective approach intra-species covariation, potentially could be used improve characterization vegetation in Earth system models.