Leaf functional traits of Litsea rotundifolia var. oblongifolia and its response to environmental factors

The investigation of the leaf functional traits of L. rotundifolia and its response to environmental factors is beneficial for revealing the adaptation mechanisms and ecological strategies of this species to island environments. It provides scientific basis for the conservation and rational utilization of island plant resources.

L. rotundifolia from Pingtan island was taken as the research subject, correlation analysis, redundancy analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis were employed to analyze the correlation between 10 leaf functional traits of L. rotundifolia and 17 environmental factors. Additionally, the influence of environmental factors on leaf functional traits of L. rotundifolia was quantified by constructing path analysis model.

The results showed that: 1) The variability coefficients of the leaf functional traits of L. rotundifolia ranged from 1.10% to 69.60%. among which the the variation range of leaf carbon content was the smallest (1.10%) and the variation range of relative water deficit was the largest (69.60%); 2) There were certain correlations among the functional traits of L. rotundifolia leaves, among which there is a strong coupling relationship between specific leaf area, leaf tissue density, leaf dry matter content and leaf volume; 3) Redundancy analysis showed that the functional traits of L. rotundifolia were primarily influenced by distance to the coastline, water-soluble salts, total potassium, and annual mean temperature (P<0.05); 4) Multiple regression analysis and path analysis further indicated that altitude was the key environmental factor influencing leaf phosphorus content and leaf volume.

L. rotundifolia is able to adjust its ecological strategies to adapt to the changes of island environment and optimize resource utilization efficiency through certain trait variation and trait combination, making it a widely distributed dominant species in Pingtan Island. The results of the above study can deepen the understanding of the response and ecological strategies of L. rotundifolia to environmental changes, providing a theoretical basis for the conservation and sustainable use of L. rotundifolia resources.