Leaf traits and leaf-to-air temperature differences in tropical plants suggest variability in thermoregulatory capacities across elevations
Data files
Apr 15, 2024 version files 20.32 KB
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Leaf-air_temperature_BIOTROPICA_2024_SSP.xlsx
17.86 KB
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README.md
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Abstract
Understanding thermoregulation in plants is critical to predicting the consequences of global warming on terrestrial ecosystems. I present empirical evidence that leaf traits and leaf-to-air temperature differ among plants from a tropical elevation gradient. These findings suggest the existence of specific plant adaptations for thermoregulation across varying elevational zones.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.7pvmcvf25
Description of the data and file structure
This dataset presents leaf traits, leaf temperature, and air temperature of Melastomataceae plants in a tropical elevation gradient in Costa Rica. Plants are identified at the family level and each leaf has a unique code. Elevation and time of collection are also reported.
Descriptions
Leaf: ID of the sampled leaf. Three leaves were sampled per individual.
Elevation: Elevation (m.a.s.l.) of the study site.
Plant: ID of the plant individual. At each location, six individuals were randomly sampled from any species within the Melastomataceae, and leaf temperature was measured on three leaves per individual.
Leaftemp1: Temperature (degrees Celsius) at the bottom center of the leaf. Leaf temperature was measured using a digital infrared thermometer.
Leaftemp2: Temperature at the top center of the leaf. Leaf temperature was measured using a digital infrared thermometer.
Leaftemp: Average of Leaftemp1 and Leaftemp2.
Airtemp: Air temperature at the moment when leaf temperatures were measured. This factor was measured with a digital psychrometer.
Deltatemp: The difference between leaf temperature and air temperature.
Abstemp: Absolute value of Deltatemp.
Humidity: Relative humidity (%RH) at the moment when leaf temperatures were measured. This factor was measured with a digital psychrometer.
CanopyCover: Canopy cover above the measured leaf. This factor was measured using the Canopeo App.
Time: Time of data collection.
TimeCat: Categorized time with four categories (i.e., early morning, late morning, early afternoon, late afternoon).
Daytime: Categorized daytime with two categories (i.e., morning and afternoon).
Thickness1: Thickness (mm) at the bottom of the leaf.
Thickness2: Thickness (mm) at the center of the leaf.
Thickness3: Thickness (mm) at the top of the leaf.
Thickness: Average of Thickness1, Thickness2, and Thickness3
LA: Leaf area (cm^2).
LA(m): Leaf area (m^2).
DryMass (g): Dry mass of the leaf (g). For leaf dry mass, the leaves were stored separately in paper bags and maintained in an oven (at ~70°C) for drying.
LMA: Leaf mass per area (g/m^2). LMA was calculated by dividing leaf dry mass (g) by LA (m^2).