The Ecology of Leaf Life Spans

Abstract

The adaptive significance of leaf life spans has been examined from several different points of view. Evergreenness has been explained in terms of nutrient conservation (86), improving carbon balance (90), and as a general adaptation to environmental stress (47). In this review, we consider these theories and attempt to synthesize divergent viewpoints. We consider the question How is the length of a leaf's life span related to environmental factors? In particular, what are the comparative advantages of the evergreen and deciduous habits and how can adaptive differences be related to distributional patterns and climatic gradients?