Forest Research: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Biodiversity of Leaf Traits in Woody Plant Species in Northeastern Mexico: A Synthesis

Rodriguez HG, Maiti R and Kumari CA

Leaves play a vital role in the growth, development and productivity of woody plants in a forest ecosystem. The present paper deals first with a concise review of research advances undertaken globally on leaf traits of trees and shrubs and then a brief synthesis of results of leaf traits in Linares, Northeastern Mexico. A synthesis is made on research advances on leaf traits, leaf morphology and eco-physiology of trees and shrubs at the global levels and few studies in Northeastern Mexico. There exists a large variability in various leaf morphological traits viz. leaf dimensions and eco-physiological traits viz. leaf area, leaf specific area, leaf dry weight etc. The magnitudes of these traits vary depending on environmental conditions.