Variations of leaf eco-physiological traits in relation to environmental factors during forest succession

Abstract Changes in leaf physiological trait indicators and shifts in their relationships are expected to reveal plant ecological strategies during succession, and how they interact with the changing environment are thought to be useful in forest restoration and management. In this study, 9 physiological trait indicators, 7 leaf structural and chemical trait indicators of each dominant species across a successional series were measured in southern China; 14 environmental factors were also measured to identify which factors were most associated with leaf physiological trait indicators. Results showed that leaf photosynthesis (Amass and Aarea), respiration, transpiration (Tmass and Tarea), photosynthetic N-, and P-use efficiency (PNUE and PPUE) decreased during succession, which could be explained by plant life forms. Species at a given Amass had higher PPUE and specific leaf area (SLA) in later- than in early-succession. At a given SLA, leaf N content was higher in early- than in later-succession. Changes in leaf physiological trait indicators were associated with soil pH. The higher N, P assimilation efficiencies of pioneer species support their rapid growth in the relatively low N, P soils in early stage of succession. Leaf nutrient-utilization strategies, interacting with soil pH, played an important role in the succession of subtropical forest. Soil pH could be used as an indicator of the process of forest dynamic succession in south China. This study can also advance the understanding of plant survival and replacement strategies during forest succession.