Estimation of Leaf Area–Wood Density Traits Relationship in Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests of Southern Coromandel Coast, Peninsular India

Abstract

This study estimates the existing eco-physiological traits relationship between leaf area (LA) and wood density (WD) in tropical dry evergreen forests (TDEFs) of southern Coromandel Coast, peninsular India. Leaf area and wood density of 56 tree species belonged to 49 genera and 28 families were measured to understand the relationship between the traits. Leaf area and wood density were estimated with standardised protocols. On average, each species had 3400 ± 3040 mm2 LA and 0.74 ± 0.16 g cm−3 WD. On average, each site had 2.44% of total soil organic carbon, 0.11% of nitrogen and 15.7 µg g−1 of phosphorus. The ratios of carbon–nitrogen varied from 16.2 to 32.6 (mean = 22.4 ± 4.92) and of nitrogen–phosphorus ranged from 12.7 to 19.6 (mean = 70.5 ± 15.1). The relationship between leaf area and wood density was negative and significant (r 2 = 0.34, n = 56, P < 0.005; t 54 = 9.07, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference recorded between mean LA and WD of evergreens and deciduous species. Oligotrophic habitat, semi-aridness and longer dry periods are few of the possible reasons behind the profuse occurrence of small-leaved, dense wooded evergreens in tropical dry evergreen forests.