Convergence in leaf size versus twig leaf area scaling: do plants optimize leaf area partitioning?

摘要

Background and Aims Corner’s rule states that thicker twigs bear larger leaves. The exact nature of this relationship and why it should occur has been the subject of numerous studies. It is obvious that thicker twigs should support greater total leaf area (Atwig) for hydraulical and mechanical reasons. But it is not obvious why mean leaf size (A-) should scale positively with Atwig. We asked what this scaling relationship is within species and how variable it is across species. We then developed a model to explain why these relationships exist.