Broadleaved tree species in mountainous populations usually demonstrate high levels of diversity in leaf morphology among individuals, as a response to a variety of environmental conditions associated with changes in altitude. We investigated the parameters shaping leaf morphological diversity in 80 beech individuals (Fagus sylvatica L.), in light and shade leaves, growing along an elevational gradient and under different habitat types on Mt. Paggeo in northeastern Greece. A clear altitudinal pattern was observed in the morphological leaf traits expressing lamina size and shape; with increasing altitude, trees had leaves with smaller laminas, less elongated outlines, and fewer pairs of secondary veins. However, this altitudinal trend in leaf morphology was varied in different habitat types. Furthermore, the shade leaves and light leaves showed differences in their altitudinal trend. Traits expressing lamina shape in shade leaves were more related to altitude, while leaf size appeared to be more influenced by habitat type. While the altitudinal trend in leaf morphology has been well documented for numerous broadleaved tree species, in a small spatial scale, different patterns emerged across different habitat types. This morphological variability among trees growing in a mountainous population indicates a high potential for adaptation to environmental extremes.

中文翻译：

---

山毛榉 (Fagus sylvatica L.) 沿海拔梯度的叶片形态特征模式

作为对与海拔变化相关的各种环境条件的反应，山区种群中的阔叶树种通常表现出个体叶片形态的高度多样性。我们调查的参数整形叶片形态多样性的80个个人山毛榉（水青冈L.)，在明暗叶片中，在希腊东北部的 Mt. Paggeo 上沿着海拔梯度和不同栖息地类型生长。在表现叶片大小和形状的形态学叶片特征中观察到清晰的高度模式；随着海拔的升高，树木的叶片叶片更小，轮廓更细，次生脉对更少。然而，叶片形态的这种海拔趋势在不同的栖息地类型中有所不同。此外，遮荫叶和浅叶在海拔趋势上表现出差异。在遮荫叶片中表达叶片形状的性状与海拔高度相关，而叶片大小似乎更受栖息地类型的影响。虽然许多阔叶树种的叶片形态的海拔趋势已被充分记录，但在小空间尺度上，不同的栖息地类型出现了不同的模式。生长在山区的树木之间的这种形态变异表明适应极端环境的潜力很大。