Leaf Dmage and Traits of Dipterocarp Seedings in a Lowland Rain Forest in Peninsular Malaysia.

Abstract

We examined the relationships between leaf damage caused by insects and pathogens and three leaf traits (leaf toughness, total phenol contents, and nitrogen contents) of five dipterocarp species in a lowland rain forest in peninsular Malaysia. The measurements were made on all leaves of 9- month-old dipterocarp seedlings that emerged at mast fruiting in September 1996. Means of leaf damage levels were significantly different among the species. Percentages of heavily damaged leaves (damaged leaf area> 50%) varied from 5.0% in Shorea multiflora to 13.8% in S. pauciflora. Mean leaf damage levels were not correlated with the three leaf traits across species, but percentages of heavily damaged leaves showed a significant negative correlation with the total phenol contentsi n in leaves. This result suggests that phenolics may not necessarily reduce the average amounts of leaf damage, but may suppress heavy leaf feeding by herbivores.