Leaf Economics in Palaeobotanical Research: Theory, Research Progress and Prospects

Tianqi Dong

doi:10.54097/6ke0qg38

Authors

Tianqi Dong

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/6ke0qg38

Keywords:

Leaf economy; palaeobotany; palaeoclimate reconstruction.

Abstract

Leaf Economics, as an important theoretical framework in plant ecology, reveals the use strategies and adaptations of plants to environmental resources through the study of leaf functional traits. In recent years, Leaf Economics has been gradually applied to palaeobotanical research, providing new perspectives for reconstructing palaeoclimate and exploring palaeoecosystem functions. This paper reviews the core theories and methods of leaf economics, analyses the progress of its application in paleobotanical research, discusses the current limitations and challenges, and looks forward to the future development direction.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Wright, I. J., Reich, P. B., Cornelissen, J. H. C., et al. The worldwide leaf economics spectrum. Nature. 2004, Vol. 428 (No. 6985), p. 821–827.

[2] Reich, P. B., Walters, M. B., Ellsworth, D. S. From tropics to tundra: Global convergence in plant functioning. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 1997, Vol. 94 (No. 25), p. 13730–13734.

[3] Reich, P. B. The world-wide ‘fast-slow’ plant economics spectrum: A traits manifesto. Journal of Ecology. 2014, Vol. 102 (No. 2), p. 275–301.

[4] Díaz, S., Kattge, J., Cornelissen, J. H. C., et al. The global spectrum of plant form and function. Nature. 2016, Vol. 529 (No. 7585), p. 167–171.

[5] Osnas, J. L. D., Katabuchi, M., Kitajima, K., et al. Divergent drivers of leaf trait variation within species, among species, and among functional groups. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2013, Vol. 110 (No. 32), p. 13706–13711.

[6] Kattge, J., Bönisch, G., Díaz, S., et al. TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access. Global Change Biology. 2020, Vol. 26 (No. 1), p. 119–188.

[7] Shipley, B., Lechowicz, M. J., Wright, I. J., Reich, P. B. Fundamental trade-offs generating the worldwide leaf economics spectrum. Ecology. 2006, Vol. 87 (No. 3), p. 535–541.

[8] Royer, D. L. Stomatal density and stomatal index as indicators of paleoatmospheric CO2 concentration. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 2007, Vol. 114 (No. 1-2), p. 1–28.

[9] Feild, T. S., Chatelet, D. S., Brodribb, T. J. Ancestral xerophobia: A hypothesis on the whole plant ecophysiology of early angiosperms. Geobiology. 2011, Vol. 9 (No. 4), p. 237–264.

[10] Royer, D. L., Peppe, D. J., Wheeler, E. A. Paleobotanical proxies for early Cenozoic climates. Earth-Science Reviews. 2021, Vol. 217, p. 103623.

[11] Zhang, H., Li, X., Wang, Y. Fossil leaf traits in early Eocene Lingbao flora: Implications for paleoenvironment and plant adaptation. Palaeoworld. 2022, Vol. 31 (No. 3), p. 456–468.

[12] Franks, P. J., Royer, D. L., Beerling, D. J., et al. New constraints on atmospheric CO2 concentration for the Phanerozoic. Geophysical Research Letters. 2014, Vol. 41 (No. 13), p. 4685–4694.

[13] Peppe, D. J., Royer, D. L., Cariglino, B., et al. Sensitivity of leaf size and shape to climate: Global patterns and paleoclimatic applications. New Phytologist. 2011, Vol. 190 (No. 3), p. 724–739.

[14] Wing, S. L., Harrington, G. J., Smith, F. A., et al. Transient floral change and rapid global warming at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary. Science. 2005, Vol. 310 (No. 5750), p. 993–996.

[15] Diefendorf, A. F., Mueller, K. E., Wing, S. L., et al. Global patterns in leaf 13C discrimination and implications for studies of past and future climate. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2010, Vol. 107 (No. 13), p. 5738–5743.

[16] Wilf, P. When are leaves good thermometers? A new case for leaf margin analysis. Paleobiology. 1997, Vol. 23 (No. 3), p. 373–390.

[17] Boyce, C. K., Brodribb, T. J., Feild, T. S., Zwieniecki, M. A. Angiosperm leaf vein evolution was physiologically and environmentally transformative. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 2009, Vol. 276 (No. 1663), p. 1771–1776.

[18] Li, X., Wang, Y., Zhang, H. Leaf functional traits of Eocene plants in northern China: Implications for paleoenvironment reconstruction. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 2020, Vol. 540, p. 109467.