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Aims <p>Leaf, stem, and fine root morphological and chemical traits serve as key indicators of plant performances in restoration projects. However, traits and their major dimensions of variations (closely integrated trait groups) at the whole-plant level during mangrove restoration remain poorly understood.</p> Methods <p>We evaluated the intraspecific variations and covariations of 22 leaf, stem, and fine root traits for individuals of the mangrove species <i>Bruguiera sexangula</i> at young and mature stages in Hainan, China using a ‘space-for-time’ approach.</p> Results <p>During <i>B. sexangula</i> tree development, the intraspecific trait variation was mainly characterized by the coordination of fine root, stem, and leaf traits (e.g., decreases in leaf area and root diameter (RD); increases in stem and root tissue density (RTD)). Additionally, root traits varied along a ‘collaboration’ gradient (a spectrum reflecting root nutrient acquisition strategies) with trade-offs between RD and specific root length (SRL), reflecting strategies ranging from ‘outsourcing’ (thick RD) in young individuals to ‘do-it-yourself’ (large SRL) in mature individuals. However, the intraspecific trait covariations of leaf and fine root traits deviated from expectation of the ‘conservation’ gradient, evidenced by the decoupling between leaf nitrogen content and specific leaf area (SLA), and the lack of trade-offs between root nitrogen content and RTD.</p> Conclusions <p>Our findings highlight significant shifts in mangrove traits and ecological strategies, both above- and belowground, during the restoration of <i>B. sexangula</i>, underscoring the importance of adopting a whole-plant perspective in future trait-based mangrove research.</p>

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Mangrove above- and belowground traits co-vary but are not fully aligned with the economic spectrum during the development of Bruguiera sexangula trees in Hainan, China

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月30日

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  • Shanshan Song,
  • Marie Arnaud,
  • Cornelia Rumpel,
  • Guanghui Lin

摘要

Aims

Leaf, stem, and fine root morphological and chemical traits serve as key indicators of plant performances in restoration projects. However, traits and their major dimensions of variations (closely integrated trait groups) at the whole-plant level during mangrove restoration remain poorly understood.

Methods

We evaluated the intraspecific variations and covariations of 22 leaf, stem, and fine root traits for individuals of the mangrove species Bruguiera sexangula at young and mature stages in Hainan, China using a ‘space-for-time’ approach.

Results

During B. sexangula tree development, the intraspecific trait variation was mainly characterized by the coordination of fine root, stem, and leaf traits (e.g., decreases in leaf area and root diameter (RD); increases in stem and root tissue density (RTD)). Additionally, root traits varied along a ‘collaboration’ gradient (a spectrum reflecting root nutrient acquisition strategies) with trade-offs between RD and specific root length (SRL), reflecting strategies ranging from ‘outsourcing’ (thick RD) in young individuals to ‘do-it-yourself’ (large SRL) in mature individuals. However, the intraspecific trait covariations of leaf and fine root traits deviated from expectation of the ‘conservation’ gradient, evidenced by the decoupling between leaf nitrogen content and specific leaf area (SLA), and the lack of trade-offs between root nitrogen content and RTD.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight significant shifts in mangrove traits and ecological strategies, both above- and belowground, during the restoration of B. sexangula, underscoring the importance of adopting a whole-plant perspective in future trait-based mangrove research.