article · Global Ecology and Biogeography
This research investigated how lianas and trees differ in their intrinsic water-use efficiency and nutrient limitations across elevational gradients in tropical forests. The study was conducted in mountain forests in Ecuador and Rwanda, analysing foliar traits, including carbon isotope composition (δ13C) and carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N), from dominant liana and tree species. Using Bayesian linear mixed-effect models, it was found that trees showed a significant increase in foliar δ13C and C:N with higher elevation. In contrast, lianas maintained relatively constant foliar δ13C and C:N across the same elevational transects. This suggests a functional divergence in how lianas and trees manage water and nutrients in response to changing environmental conditions along mountain slopes.
Understanding how different plant types, such as lianas and trees, respond to varying environmental conditions along mountain slopes is crucial. This research helps explain how tropical forests might adapt to climate change, particularly concerning water and nutrient use, which is vital for ecosystem health and biodiversity.
The abstract describes fundamental ecological research into plant physiological responses to environmental gradients. It does not indicate an immediate application pathway or commercialisation potential.
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Abstract Aim Elevational gradients provide excellent opportunities to explore long‐term morphological and physiological responses of plants to environmental change. We determined the difference in the elevational pattern of foliar carbon isotope composition (δ 13 C) between lianas and trees, and assessed whether this difference arises from changes in photosynthesis or stomatal conductance. We also explored the pattern of nutrient limitations with the elevation of these two growth forms. Location The study was conducted in two mountain forests situated in the Neotropics and Palaeotropics. Time period August–September 2015 and August–October 2016. Major taxa studied Lianas and trees. Methods We conducted inventories of lianas and trees using standardized techniques along elevational gradients in Ecuador and Rwanda. We determined the values of several foliar traits including δ 13 C and chemical traits in dominant liana and tree species. We set up Bayesian linear mixed‐effect models to quantify the effects of elevation and growth form on each of the foliar traits , and the difference of the effect of elevation between the two growth forms (lianas and trees). Results We found consistent growth form specific divergences in foliar δ 13 C and carbon to nitrogen ratio (C : N) responses to elevation. While we noted a meaningful increase in foliar δ 13 C and C : N with elevation for trees, lianas did not exhibit such a trend. Foliar δ 13 C and C : N remained relatively constant for lianas along the transects. Main conclusions Lianas operate at relatively constant intrinsic water‐ and nitrogen‐use efficiencies with elevation compared with trees. Altogether, the study suggests the existence of a functional divergence of water and nutrient use strategies between lianas and trees along tropical elevational transects.
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DOI: 10.1111/geb.13382
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