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A comparative analysis of foliar chemical composition and leaf construction costs of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) saplings along a light gradient

Annals of Forest Science volume 67, page 610 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

  • • Construction cost (g glucose g−1), chemical composition and morphology of leaves of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and two co-occurring valuable broadleaved species (sycamore maple — Acer pseudoplatanus L. — and ash — Fraxinus excelsior L.) were investigated along a horizontal light gradient (3–60% of above canopy radiation) and from top to bottom within the crowns in a fairly even-aged mixed-species thicket established by natural regeneration beneath a patchy shelterwood canopy.

  • • Construction cost and carbon concentration increased with irradiance in ash and sycamore maple and were independent of irradiance in beech. Leaf traits expressed on an area basis, like construction cost, nitrogen content and leaf mass (LMA) increased significantly with irradiance in all three species and decreased from top to bottom within crowns.

  • • The shade tolerant beech invested more glucose to produce a unit foliar biomass, but less to build a unit foliar area due to lower LMA. Thereby beech was able to display a greater total leaf area, what at least in parts counterbalanced the lower values of N a as compared to ash and sycamore maple.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones, Georg-August University Göttingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077, Göttingen, Germany

    Any Mary Petritan, Burghard von Lüpke & Ion Catalin Petritan

  2. Department of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Institute of Forest Research and Management, Closca 13, 500040, Brasov, Romania

    Any Mary Petritan

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  1. Any Mary Petritan
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  2. Burghard von Lüpke
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  3. Ion Catalin Petritan
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Correspondence to Any Mary Petritan.

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Petritan, A.M., von Lüpke, B. & Petritan, I.C. A comparative analysis of foliar chemical composition and leaf construction costs of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) saplings along a light gradient. Ann. For. Sci. 67, 610 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2010023

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2010023

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Annals of Forest Science

ISSN: 1297-966X