Growth dynamics and phenology

Abstract

The previous chapters have illustrated that rates of carbon assimilation by leaves are relatively high in alpine plants. Structural investments favor roots rather than stems, but the biomass fraction invested in leaves is the same as in comparable morphotypes at low altitude. However, interspecific variation in these traits is far greater than the mean elevational difference for communities. Non-structural carbon compounds (carbohydrates, lipids) in tissues are so abundant — and often not even recovered at senescence — that carbon supply seems unlikely to limit growth and the size of alpine plants Table 13.1. Despite the existence of some alpine “giants” (Smith 1980, 1994), the overall elevational trend certainly is a reduction of plant and plant organ size Fig. 13.1, which contrasts with the high metabolic capacity of tissues, especially leaves.