Key message

For better categorization of species according to foliar habit, a set of leaf and wood traits must be observed.

Abstract

Tropical forests are influenced by distinct regional rainfall regimes, microclimates, and dynamics of nutrient cycling, which are responsible for creating key biodiversity patterns and differences in leaf deciduousness to drought. Functional traits studies have improved understanding of the functioning and heterogeneity of complex ecosystems. We have reviewed the literature focusing mainly on tropical dry forests and relationships among leaf habits (evergreen and deciduous) and other leaf and wood traits. Thus, we have compiled 121 original papers, 2 reports, and 9 book chapters published since 2000. We also provide a meta-analysis of these traits from Neotropics. Tropical deciduous species often have high photosynthetic rates per mass and specific leaf area and traits that improve water flow throughout the plant, such as wide xylem diameters and high hydraulic conductivity, maximizing resource capture during a limited growing season because of an acquisition strategy. The opposite is observed in evergreen species, namely as conservative species. Regardless of the plant organ, more morphological than physiological traits are available to compare leaf habits. For better categorization of species according to foliar habit, a set of leaf and wood traits must be observed. However, while local comparisons based on one or few traits may group species according to leaf habit, multivariate analyses for large spatial scales can reveal a different pattern. We have identified some open questions that can be further addressed in this research field to contribute to the improvement of theoretical frameworks as well as the consequences of a changing climate for tropical dry forests.

中文翻译：

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热带干旱林叶习性及其与叶木性状的关系

关键信息

为了根据叶的习性对物种进行更好的分类，必须观察一组叶和木的特性。

抽象的

热带森林受不同区域降雨状况、小气候和养分循环动态的影响，这些因素导致了关键的生物多样性模式和叶片落叶与干旱的差异。功能性状研究提高了对复杂生态系统功能和异质性的理解。我们回顾了主要侧重于热带干燥森林以及叶习性（常绿和落叶）与其他叶和木特性之间关系的文献。因此，我们汇编了自 2000 年以来出版的 121 篇原创论文、2 篇报告和 9 本书章节。我们还提供了对来自 Neotropics 的这些特征的元分析。热带落叶树种通常具有较高的单位质量光合速率和特定叶面积以及改善整个植物水流的特性，例如宽木质部直径和高水力传导率，由于收购策略，在有限的生长季节最大限度地捕获资源。在常绿物种中观察到相反的情况，即作为保守物种。无论植物器官如何，都可以通过形态特征而非生理特征来比较叶子习性。为了根据叶的习性对物种进行更好的分类，必须观察一组叶和木的特性。然而，虽然基于一个或几个特征的局部比较可能会根据叶习性对物种进行分组，但大空间尺度的多变量分析可以揭示不同的模式。