The ‘hydrology’ of leaves: co‐ordination of structure and function in temperate woody species

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Abstract
The hydraulic conductance of the leaf lamina (Klamina) substantially constrains whole‐plant water transport, but little is known of its association with leaf structure and function.Klaminawas measured for sun and shade leaves of six woody temperate species growing in moist soil, and tested for correlation with the prevailing leaf irradiance, and with 22 other leaf traits.Klaminavaried from 7.40 × 10−5 kg m−2s−1 MPa−1forAcer saccharumshade leaves to 2.89 × 10−4 kg m−2 s−1 MPa−1forVitis labruscasun leaves. Tree sun leaves had 15–67% higherKlaminathan shade leaves.Klaminawas co‐ordinated with traits associated with high water flux, including leaf irradiance, petiole hydraulic conductance, guard cell length, and stomatal pore area per lamina area.Klaminawas also co‐ordinated with lamina thickness, water storage capacitance, 1/mesophyll water transfer resistance, and, in five of the six species, with lamina perimeter/area. However, for the six species,Klaminawas independent of inter‐related leaf traits including leaf dry mass per area, density, modulus of elasticity, osmotic potential, and cuticular conductance.Klaminawas thus co‐ordinated with structural and functional traits relating to liquid‐phase water transport and to maximum rates of gas exchange, but independent of other traits relating to drought tolerance and to aspects of carbon economy.