Functional Properties and Relationship with Soil of Leaves on 7 Varieties of Lauraceae

  Objective   Reflecting environmental conditions, the functional properties of plant leaves were analyzed to understand the regulation mechanisms to improve forestation.

  Method   Length, width, area, fresh and dry weights, and SPAD of leaves on Cinnamomum camphora, Cinnamomum japonicum, Phoebe sheareri, Lindera aggregata, Lindera glauca, Sassafras tzumu, and Phoebe chekiangensis at the campus of Huangshan University were measured to derive the indexes, specific area, mass per area, and dry matter content of them. Properties of the soils on which the plants grew were tested to correlate with the leaf functional traits using the single factor analysis of variance and multiple comparisons.

  Result   ① P. sheareri was morphologically like P. chekiangensis but generally scored higher on the functional indicators with a coefficient of variation in the range of 0≤CV≤10%. ② L. aggregata had significantly higher leaf SPAD and dry matters content but lower specific area and area than L. glauca. ③ Deciduous S. tzumu was generally higher than evergreens on the coefficient of variation. ④ Soil conductivity was extremely significantly correlated with the leaf mass per area of the trees grown on the land with an R² = 0.646 3.

  Conclusion  Various Lauraceae plants grown on similar habitats differed in response to environmental conditions. Deciduous trees responded to the changes "effectively and transiently", while evergreens "stably and persistently". The functional properties of the leaves on a plant could be used to distinguish species with a similar outward appearance. Showing a low coefficient of variation on the leaf functional traits and consistent flowering and fruiting in the years of observation, P. chekiangensis was considered a choice candidate for forestation. In a forest, the electrical conductivity of the soil could be monitored to effectively predict the changes in leaf mass per area of the trees.