Abstract
Plants automatically control the size variations in organs to achieve efficient exploitation of resources. However, it is unclear whether the scaling relationships of plant organs share a similar character for different individuals under varied micro-conditions (e.g., light and soil water). We conducted a case study of the lengths of staghorn sumac leaves and longleaf pine cone scales to test the relationships. Our results indicated that although there were size variations, there existed power laws of frequency in the lengths of staghorn sumac leaves and longleaf pine cone scales. The exponents differed but were positively correlated with the minimum length of leaves or cone scales. Taylor’s Law existed in the lengths of cone scales and some tree leaves, and scale break was observed. This study provides new information on scaling relationships and self-organization in the patterns of tree parts arrangement. Taylor’s Law may be used to detect minor changes in the growth regime.
Highlights
Our results indicated that there were size variations, there existed power laws of frequency in the lengths of staghorn sumac leaves and longleaf pine cone scales
Size variations in plant organs are essential to function, such as plant seed size and offspring fitness are strongly positively correlated (Mazer, Snow, & Stanton, 1986), but these variations are automatically adjusted by plants to suit their environment
The lengths of longleaf pine cone scales were longer in cone I and IV than cone III (p < 0.05)
Summary
Size variations in plant organs are essential to function, such as plant seed size and offspring fitness are strongly positively correlated (Mazer, Snow, & Stanton, 1986), but these variations are automatically adjusted by plants to suit their environment. In order to achieve such diversity to exploit the resource efficiently, plants must adapt their structure to be of various sizes. Similar relationships among structure and functional variables may be maintained over a wide range of organ sizes (Brown & West, 2000), described by a fractal dimension or a power function. Plant leaves are a critical organ to photosynthesis and transpiration, and they play a central role in the growth and survival of a plant. Leaf traits represent a necessary trade-off in the many functions over short and evolutionary periods (Nicotra et al, 2011). Leaf traits are currently high in research priority because they are closely linked to many vital aspects of growth, reproduction, and ecosystem functions (Garnier et al, 2001)
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