Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Altitudinal Change in LAI and Stand Leaf Biomass in Tropical Montane Forests: a Transect Study in Ecuador and a Pan-Tropical Meta-Analysis

  • Published:
Ecosystems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Leaf area index (LAI) is a key parameter controlling plant productivity and biogeochemical fluxes between vegetation and the atmosphere. Tropical forests are thought to have comparably high LAIs; however, precise data are scarce and environmental controls of leaf area in tropical forests are not understood. We studied LAI and stand leaf biomass by optical and leaf mass-related approaches in five tropical montane forests along an elevational transect (1,050–3,060 m a.s.l.) in South Ecuador, and conducted a meta-analysis of LAI and leaf biomass data from tropical montane forests around the globe. Study aims were (1) to assess the applicability of indirect and direct approaches of LAI determination in tropical montane forests, (2) to analyze elevation effects on leaf area, leaf mass, SLA, and leaf lifespan, and (3) to assess the possible consequences of leaf area change with elevation for montane forest productivity. Indirect optical methods of LAI determination appeared to be less reliable in the complex canopies than direct leaf mass-related approaches based on litter trapping and a thorough analysis of leaf lifespan. LAI decreased by 40–60% between 1,000 and 3,000 m in the Ecuador transect and also in the pan-tropical data set. This decrease indicates that canopy carbon gain, that is, carbon source strength, decreases with elevation in tropical montane forests. Average SLA decreased from 88 to 61 cm2 g−1 whereas leaf lifespan increased from 16 to 25 mo between 1,050 and 3,060 m in the Ecuador transect. In contrast, stand leaf biomass was much less influenced by elevation. We conclude that elevation has a large influence not only on the leaf traits of trees but also on the LAI of tropical montane forests with soil N (nitrogen) supply presumably being the main controlling factor.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Figure 3.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Asner GP, Scurlock JMO, Hicke JA (2003) Global synthesis of leaf area index observations: implications for ecological and remote sensing studies. Global Ecol Biogeogr 12:191–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balslev H, Øllgaard B (2002) Mapa de vegetación del sur de Ecuador. In: Aguirre ZM, Madsen JE, Cotton E, Balslev H, Eds. Botánica Austroecuatoriana—Estudios sobre los recursos vegetales en las provincias de el Oro, Loja y Zamora-Chinchipe. Quito: Ediciones ABYA YALA, pp. 51–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Barclay HJ, Trofymow JA (2000) Relationship of readings from the Li-Cor canopy analyser to total one-sided leaf area index and stand structure in immature Douglas-fir. Agric For Meteorol 132:121–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Bréda NJJ (2003) Ground-based measurements of leaf area index: a review of methods, instruments and current controversies. J Exp Bot 54:2403–17

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brun R. 1976. Methodik und Ergebnisse zur Biomassenbestimmung eines Nebelwald-Ökosystems in den Venezolanischen Anden. Oslo: Proceedings Division I, 16th IUFRO World Congress. pp. 490–499

  • Chabot BF, Hicks DH (1982) The ecology of leaf life span. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 13:229–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chason J, Baldocchi D, Hutson M (1991) A comparison of direct and indirect methods for estimating forest leaf area. Agric For Meteorol 57:107–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen JM, Black TA (1992) Defining leaf-area index for non-flat leaves. Plant Cell Environ 15:421–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen JM, Rich PM, Gower ST, Norman JM, Plummer S (1997) Leaf area index of boreal forests: theory, techniques, and measurements. J Geophys Res 102:29429–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark DA, Brown S, Kicklighter DW, Chambers JQ, Thomlinson JR, Ni J (2001) Measuring net primary production in forests: concepts and field methods. Ecol Appl 11:356–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coley PD, Bryant JP, Chapin FS (1985) Resource availability and plant anti-herbivore defense. Science 230:895–9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Comeau P, Gendron F, Letchford T (1998) A comparison of several methods for estimating light under a paper birch mixedwood stand. Can J For Res 28:1843–1850

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dufrêne E, Bréda N (1995) Estimation of deciduous forest leaf-area index using direct and indirect methods. Oecologia 104:156–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards PJ, Grubb PJ (1977) Studies of mineral cycling in a montane rain forest in New Guinea I. The distribution of organic matter in the vegetation and soil. J Ecol 65:934–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Fassnacht KS, Gower ST, Norman JM, McMurtrie RE (1994) A comparison of optical and direct-methods for estimating foliage surface-area index in forests. Agric For Meteorol 71:183–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frangi JL, Lugo AE (1985) Ecosystems dynamics of a sub-tropical floodplain. Ecol Monogr 55:351–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gower ST, Kucharik CJ, Norman JM (1999) Direct and indirect estimation of leaf area index, fAPAR, and net primary production of terrestrial ecosystems. Remote Sens Environ 70:29–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grime JP, Cornelissen JHC, Thompson K, Hodgson JG (1996) Evidence of a causal connection between anti-herbivore defence and the decomposition rate of leaves. Oikos 77:489–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grubb PJ (1977) Control of forest growth and distribution on wet tropical mountains: with special reference to mineral nutrition. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 8:83–107

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herbert DA, Fownes JH (1999) Forest productivity and efficiency of resource use across a chronosequence of tropical montane soils. Ecosystems 2:242–54

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Homeier J, Werner FW, Breckle SW, Richter M. 2007. Potential vegetation and floristic composition of Andean forests in South Ecuador, with a focus on the reserve San Francisco. In: Beck E, Bendix J, Kottke I, Makeschin F, Mosandl R, Eds. Gradients in a tropical mountain ecosystem in Ecuador. Ecological studies. Berlin: Springer (in press)

  • Inoue A, Yamamoto K, Mizoue N, Kawahara Y (2004) Effects of image quality, size and camera type on forest light environment estimates using digital hemispherical photography. Agric For Meteorol 126:89–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jonckheere I, Fleck S, Nackaerts K, Muys B, Coppin P, Weiss M, Baret F (2004) Review of methods for in situ leaf area index determination—Part I. Theories, sensors and hemispherical photography. Agric For Meteorol 121:19–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kikuzawa K (1989) Ecology and evolution of phenological pattern, leaf longevity and leaf habit. Evol Trends Plants 3:105–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitayama K, Aiba S-I (2002) Ecosystem structure and productivity of tropical rain forests along altitudinal gradients with contrasting soil phosphorus pools on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo. J Ecol 90:37–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitayama K, Aiba S-I, Takyu M, Majalap N, Wagai R (2004) Soil phosphorus fractionation and phosphorus-use efficiency of a Bornean tropical montane rain forest during soil aging with podzolization. Ecosystems 7:259–74

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Köhler L (2002) Die Bedeutung der Epiphyten im ökosystemaren Wasser- und Nährstoffumsatz verschiedener Altersstadien eines Bergregenwaldes in Costa Rica. Ph.D. thesis, Göttingen, Germany, p. 131

  • Küßner R, Mosandl R (2000) Comparison of direct and indirect estimation of leaf area index in mature Norway spruce stands of eastern Germany. Can J For Res 30:440–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leuschner C, Moser G, Bertsch C, Röderstein M, Hertel D (2007) Large altitudinal increase in tree root/shoot ratio in tropical mountain forests of Ecuador. Basic Appl Ecol 8:219–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lowman MD (1992) Leaf growth dynamics and herbivory in five species of Australian rain-forest canopy trees. J Ecol 80:433–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McWilliam ALC, Roberts JM, Cabral OMR, Leitao MVBR, Decosta ACL, Maitelli GT, Zamparoni CAGP (1993) Leaf-area index and aboveground biomass of terra-firme rain-forest and adjacent clearings in Amazonia. Funct Ecol 7:310–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medina E, Klinge H (1983) Productivity of tropical forests and tropical woodlands. Lange and others physiological plant ecology—encyclopedia of plant physiology. New York: Springer, vol 12d, pp. 281–303

  • Mussche S, Samson R, Nachtergale L, Schrijver AD, Lemeur R, Lust N (2001) A comparison of optical and direct methods for monitoring the seasonal dynamics of leaf area index in deciduous forests. Silva Fenn 35:373–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Neumann HH, Den Hartog GD, Shaw RH (1989) Leaf-area measurements based on the hemispheric photographs and leaf-litter collection in a deciduous forest during autumn leaf-fall. Agric For Meteorol 45:325–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Odum HT (1970) Summary: an emerging view of the ecological system at El Verde. In: Odum HT, Pidgeon RF, Eds. A tropical rain forest: a study of irradiation and ecology at El Verde, Puerto Rico. Washington DC: Division of Technical Information US Atomic Energy Commission, pp. I-191–I-289

    Google Scholar 

  • Ovington JD, Olson JS (1970) Biomass and chemical content of El Verde lower montane rain forest plants. In: Odum HT, Pidgeon RF, Eds. A tropical rain forest: a study of irradiation an ecology at El Verde, Puerto Rico. Washington DC: Division of Technical Information US Atomic Energy Commission, pp. H-53–H-77

    Google Scholar 

  • Poorter H, Van der Werf A (1998) Is inherent variation in RGR determined by LAR at low irradiance and by NAR at high irradiance? A review of herbaceous species. In: Lambers H, Poorter H, Van Vuuren MMI, Eds. Inherent variation in plant growth, physiological mechanisms and ecological consequences. Backhuys: Leiden, pp. 309–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Raich JW, Russell AE, Vitousek PM (1997) Primary productivity and ecosystem development along an elevational gradient on Mauna Loa, Hawai’i. Ecology 78:707–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith FW, Sampson AD, Long NJ (1991) Comparison of leaf area index estimates from tree allometrics and measured light interception. For Sci 37:1682–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Takyu M, Aiba SI, Kitayama K (2003) Changes in biomass, productivity and decomposition along topographical gradients under different geological conditions in tropical lower montane forests on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo. Oecologia 134:397–404

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tanner EVJ (1980) Studies on the biomass and productivity in a series of montane rain forests in Jamaica. J Ecol 68:573–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Gardingen PR, Jackson GE, Hernandez-Daumas S, Russell G, Sharp L (1999) Leaf area index estimates obtained for clumped canopies using hemispherical photography. Agric For Meteorol 94:243–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang HQ, Hall CAS, Scatena FN, Fetcher N, Wu W (2003) Modeling the spatial and temporal variability in climate and primary productivity across the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico. For Ecol Manag 179:69–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weaver PL, Murphy PG (1990) Forest structure and productivity in Puerto Rico, Luquillo Mountains. Biotropica 22:69–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss M, Baret F, Smith GJ, Jonckheere I, Coppin P (2004) Review of methods for in situ leaf area index (LAI) determination Part II. Estimation of LAI, errors and sampling. Agric For Meteorol 121:37–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welles JM, Normann JM (1991) Instrument for indirect measurement of canopy architecture. Agric J 83:818–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitford KR, Colquhoun IJ, Lang ARG, Harper BM (1995) Measuring leaf-area index in a sparse eucalypt forest—a comparison of estimates from direct measurement, hemispherical photography, sunlight transmittance and allometric regression. Agric For Meteorol 74:237–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilcke W, Yasin S, Schmitt A, Valarezo C, Zech W. 2007. Soils along the altitudinal transect and in catchments. In: Beck E, Bendix J, Kottke I, Makeschin F, Mosandl R, Eds. Gradients in a tropical mountain ecosystem of Ecuador. Ecological studies. Berlin: Springer (in press)

  • Wilson PJ, Thompson K, Hodgson JG (1999) Specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content as alternative predictors of plant strategies. New Phytol 143:155–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank P. Emck and M. Richter (University of Erlangen) for supplying the rainfall data and S. Iost and F. Makeschin (University of Dresden) for providing the pH and soil C/N ratio data. We are also grateful to M. Unger (University of Göttingen) for data on SLA, leaf chemistry and radiation and to J. Homeier (University of Göttingen) for support in taking hemispherical photographs. Further, we want to thank M. Küppers (University of Hohenheim) who provided a second LAI-2000 instrument. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support offered by DFG (Germain Science Foundation) through a grant in the Research Unit 402 (Functionality in a Tropical Mountain Forest, subproject B8). We thank the Ministerio del Ambiente Loja-Zamora for granting a research permit, and the Fundación Científica San Francisco (Nature and Culture International) for the ongoing support at Estación Científica San Francisco.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Ecology, Albrecht von Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073, Göttingen, Germany

    Gerald Moser, Dietrich Hertel & Christoph Leuschner

Authors
  1. Gerald Moser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dietrich Hertel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Christoph Leuschner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christoph Leuschner.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Moser, G., Hertel, D. & Leuschner, C. Altitudinal Change in LAI and Stand Leaf Biomass in Tropical Montane Forests: a Transect Study in Ecuador and a Pan-Tropical Meta-Analysis. Ecosystems 10, 924–935 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-007-9063-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-007-9063-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation