PROGRESS IN GEOGRAPHY ›› 2011, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (11): 1431-1439.doi: 10.11820/dlkxjz.2011.11.014

• Original Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research Advances on Changes of Leaf Traits along an Altitude Gradient

SONG Lulu1,2, FAN Jiangwen1, WU Shaohong1   

  1. 1. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing 100101, China;
    2. Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  • Received:2011-03-01 Revised:2011-06-01 Online:2011-11-25 Published:2011-11-25

Abstract: A variety of environment factors show continuous gradient changes under an altitude gradient, so it is very significant to reveal the responses of the plants traits under the climatic change under altitude gradient and the results can also provide an foundation to understand the relationship between the terrestrial ecosystem and the global change. This article puts emphases on the changes of leaf span, specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen content, chlorophyll, stomata conductance, carboxylation efficiency, water use efficiency and leaf δ13C along an altitude gradient. This article also explores some uncertainties on the interpretation of mechanisms of leaf traits along the altitude gradient. This review provides a good knowledge for directing the relevant studies in China.

Key words: altitudinal response, leaf functional traits, leaf structural traits