TY - JOUR

T1 - Tall stature and small leaves: ecological strategies that enhance tree growth across the subtropical Brazilian Atlantic Forest

AU - Bordin, Kauane Maiara

AU - Cianciaruso, Marcus Vinicius

AU - Duarte, Leandro da Silva

AU - Bergamin, Rodrigo Scarton

AU - Klipel, Joice

AU - Picolotto, Rayana Caroline

AU - Morales, Davi da Cunha

AU - Higuchi, Pedro

AU - Silva, Ana Carolina da

AU - Capellesso, Elivane Salete

AU - Marques, Márcia C.M.

AU - Müller, Sandra Cristina

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Oikos published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic Society Oikos.

PY - 2025/8

Y1 - 2025/8

N2 - Ecological strategies reflect the mechanisms used for species to sustain a population. Predicting plant growth in ecological communities is crucial, especially with climate change impacting ecosystem functioning. By employing a large dataset for the subtropical Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF), we evaluated whether species' relative growth rates (RGR) are explained by their ecological strategies. Principal component analyses summarised the relationships among functional traits (leaf, wood and stature traits) to inform about ecological strategies of 121 tree species. We tested three principal components as predictors of RGR for all species collectively, and canopy and understory species separately. Species exhibiting larger stature with small and structured leaves have faster growth. Tall canopy trees, with small leaves and softer wood grew faster, whereas understory species with taller stature, denser wood, and more structured and nutrient-rich leaves had higher RGR. Therefore, strategies that combine higher stature and smaller leaf area are key determinants of the higher relative grow rates of tree species from subtropical BAF, conferring a greater advantage in converting local resources into stem growth. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the coordination between trait-based ecological strategies and tree growth, which is essential for ecosystem functioning in changing environments.

AB - Ecological strategies reflect the mechanisms used for species to sustain a population. Predicting plant growth in ecological communities is crucial, especially with climate change impacting ecosystem functioning. By employing a large dataset for the subtropical Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF), we evaluated whether species' relative growth rates (RGR) are explained by their ecological strategies. Principal component analyses summarised the relationships among functional traits (leaf, wood and stature traits) to inform about ecological strategies of 121 tree species. We tested three principal components as predictors of RGR for all species collectively, and canopy and understory species separately. Species exhibiting larger stature with small and structured leaves have faster growth. Tall canopy trees, with small leaves and softer wood grew faster, whereas understory species with taller stature, denser wood, and more structured and nutrient-rich leaves had higher RGR. Therefore, strategies that combine higher stature and smaller leaf area are key determinants of the higher relative grow rates of tree species from subtropical BAF, conferring a greater advantage in converting local resources into stem growth. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the coordination between trait-based ecological strategies and tree growth, which is essential for ecosystem functioning in changing environments.

KW - climate change

KW - demographic trade-offs

KW - fast-slow continuum

KW - functional traits

KW - maximum height

KW - species performance

KW - Environmental Governance

KW - Ecosystems Research

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105002801714&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/oik.11235

DO - 10.1002/oik.11235

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:105002801714

VL - 2025

JO - Oikos

JF - Oikos

SN - 0030-1299

IS - 8

M1 - e11235

ER -