Functional wood properties of tropical montane forest trees: Intraspecific variation and variation between tree functional groups

Abstract

Abstract:Root functional traits are related to the transport and storage of substances and they play a fundamental role in the adaptive processes of species, however, studies in tropical forests are very limited. In this study we analyzed the patterns of interspecific variation of four anatomical traits of fine roots (vessel diameter-Vdia, vessel density-Vdens, lumen-Alumen area and hydraulic conductivity-Ks) of 141 samples representing 20 species. Vdia and Vdens showed a high negative correlation, as did Vdia with wood density (WGS). On the other hand, Vdia and Ks showed a high positive correlation, as did Vdens with Alumen. Principal component analysis (PCA) grouped species with large vessel diameters and high conductivity for the genera Alchornea, Mollia, Ocotea and Pourouma; and those with high vessel density such as Aspidosperma and Leonia. We showed a considerable variation in root anatomical traits between fast and slow-growing species in tropical premontane forests. In addition, we provide evidence of a high degree of correlation between root anatomical features, as well as with wood density.