Structural defence is coupled with the leaf economic spectrum across saplings of spiny species

摘要: Given that the rate of resource capture constrains plant growth and defence, understanding linkage between leaf economic spectrum (LES) defence how it contributes to is central predicting species performance. In spite prevalence spiny plants in many communities, little known about LES relates across these species. We grew 42 species, from diverse environments, under common garden conditions for 15 weeks measured (leaf N, SLA assimilation rate), traits. assessed general relationships tested whether structural defences (spines, fibre lignin content) quantitative chemical (condensed tannins) are linked if different spine types (i.e. spines, stipular prickles thorns), with distinct anatomical origins, partition out LES. observed two independent trait axes together explained ~68% variation The first axis showed trade off productivity along Axis 2 revealed condensed tannins orthogonal less integrated LES‐structural axis. Bivariate analyses disclosed positive covariations traits sapling rate. All were negatively related growth. Across types, spines associated conservative end LES, characterized by high lower relative other types. Synthesis: Our study shows coupled such constitutive – strategies range fast‐growing low allocation slow‐growing invest heavily (dominated species).