title: Regression models for estimating leaf area of seedlings and adult individuals of Neotropical rainforest tree species.
abstract: Individual leaf area (LA) is a key variable in studies of tree ecophysiology because it directly influences light interception, photosynthesis and evapotranspiration of adult trees and seedlings. We analyzed the leaf dimensions (length - L and width - W) of seedlings and adults of seven Neotropical rainforest tree species (Brosimum rubescens, Manilkara maxima, Pouteria caimito, Pouteria torta, Psidium cattleyanum, Symphonia globulifera and Tabebuia stenocalyx) with the objective to test the feasibility of single regression models to estimate LA of both adults and seedlings. In southern Bahia, Brazil, a first set of data was collected between March and October 2012. From the seven species analyzed, only two (P. cattleyanum and T. stenocalyx) had very similar relationships between LW and LA in both ontogenetic stages. For these two species, a second set of data was collected in August 2014, in order to validate the single models encompassing adult and seedlings. Our results show the possibility of development of models for predicting individual leaf area encompassing different ontogenetic stages for tropical tree species. The development of these models was more dependent on the species than the differences in leaf size between seedlings and adults.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brito-Rocha
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Schilling
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dos Anjos
authors.affiliation: Centro de Formação em Ciências e Tecnologias Agroflorestais, Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia - UFSB, BR 415, Km 39, CEP 45613-204, Itabuna, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Piotto
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Dalmolin
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mielke
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development*; D065947:Rainforest; D012044:Regression Analysis; D036226:Seedlings / Q000254:growth & development*; D014197:Trees / Q000254:growth & development*