Impact of canopy vertical height on leaf functional traits in a Cunninghamia lanceolata common garden experiment in Dagangshan

Impact of canopy vertical height on leaf functional traits in a Cunninghamia lanceolata common garden experiment in Dagangshan | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Impact of canopy vertical height on leaf functional traits in a Cunninghamia lanceolata common garden experiment in Dagangshan Tingyu Xu, Xiang Niu, Bing Wang, Yihui Wang This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6943323/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 31 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 12 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background: Plant functional traits represent resource acquisition strategies, and, consequently, reflect ecosystem function. As a critical focus on functional trait research, the study of intraspecific variation and vertical gradients in canopies can better reveal plant adaptation mechanisms to environmental conditions. In this study, we examined five provenances of Cunninghamia lanceolata in the common garden of Dagangshan, Jiangxi, measuredand analyzed nine functional trait indicators: the leaf dry matter content, relative chlorophyll content, specific leaf area, leaf tissue density, water use efficiency, leaf carbon content, leaf nitrogen content, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and equivalent water thickness. Results: The results revealedthat canopy height has a minor effect on the variation in leaf functional traits, with most of the variation attributed to geographic provenances. Notably, 50% of the leaf functional traits presentedsignificant correlations, which were associated mainly withphotosynthetic capacity-related traits. The correlations of leaf functional traits between the average canopy values and the middle part of the canopy are similar.. Conclusion: The influence of canopy height on leaf functional traits in subtropical Cunninghamia lanceolata artificial forests is limited, but the provenances effect had a certain impact on the leaf functional traits. The consistency of tarit relationships between middle part and the entire canopy making it feasible to analyze forest ecosystem functions by collecting leaf samples from the middle canopy. This study provides scientific evidence for research on the functional dynamics of Cunninghamia lanceolata artificial forest ecosystems and the selection of superior provenances. Biological sciences/Ecology/Ecophysiology Biological sciences/Ecology/Forest ecology geographical provenances carbon-to-nitrogen ratio specific leaf area equivalent water thickness water use efficiency Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 31 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 21 Jul, 2025 Reviews received at journal 18 Jul, 2025 Reviews received at journal 15 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 14 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 10 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 10 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 10 Jul, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 09 Jul, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 09 Jul, 2025 Editor invited by journal 02 Jul, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 29 Jun, 2025 First submitted to journal 29 Jun, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6943323","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":483615219,"identity":"2ef02d8f-94b1-437d-be0f-a7def21b6ebd","order_by":0,"name":"Tingyu Xu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Tingyu","middleName":"","lastName":"Xu","suffix":""},{"id":483615220,"identity":"ecaa64ff-673f-4d81-bd37-f68485427efb","order_by":1,"name":"Xiang Niu","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA0UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACZiBOAGJ+IP5AmhbJBgbGGaTZZnCAWC3m7DxmEg9q7thtPn74YQNDjR0D/+wG/Fosm3mMDRKOPUvedibNsIHhWDKDxJ0DBNxzmMfwQQLb4WSzGwzmDxjYDjAYSCQQ1GJwIOHf4WTjGewfGxj+EafF8EFi22E7AwkewwbGNqK0sBUbJPYdTpA4k1PYkNiXzCNxg5CW84e3Sf74dtiev/34xoYP3+zk+GcQ0AIDiQ0gEqiYhzj1QGBPtMpRMApGwSgYeQAAnA1C2UvTPPgAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Xiang","middleName":"","lastName":"Niu","suffix":""},{"id":483615221,"identity":"6751c471-6b46-4d9d-b24c-1a8b7ea93b80","order_by":2,"name":"Bing Wang","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Bing","middleName":"","lastName":"Wang","suffix":""},{"id":483615222,"identity":"2b6beb1b-b626-4fb3-bd35-0357eb3f1138","order_by":3,"name":"Yihui Wang","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yihui","middleName":"","lastName":"Wang","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-06-21 07:23:14","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6943323/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6943323/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-24811-0","type":"published","date":"2026-03-31T15:58:46+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":106344345,"identity":"dd29783c-9d12-42c9-840e-0fe580203cfa","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-07 16:13:40","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":694090,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscriptREVISED0109.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6943323/v1_covered_6a93c80f-b1b7-4ec9-9a92-c20386a56da8.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Impact of canopy vertical height on leaf functional traits in a Cunninghamia lanceolata common garden experiment in Dagangshan","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"geographical provenances , carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, specific leaf area, equivalent water thickness, water use efficiency ","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6943323/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6943323/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground: \u003c/strong\u003ePlant functional traits represent resource acquisition strategies, and, consequently, reflect ecosystem function. As a critical focus on functional trait research, the study of intraspecific variation and vertical gradients in canopies can better reveal plant adaptation mechanisms to environmental conditions. In this study, we examined five provenances of \u003cem\u003eCunninghamia lanceolata\u003c/em\u003e in the common garden of Dagangshan, Jiangxi, measuredand analyzed nine functional trait indicators: the leaf dry matter content, relative chlorophyll content, specific leaf area, leaf tissue density, water use efficiency, leaf carbon content, leaf nitrogen content, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and equivalent water thickness.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults: \u003c/strong\u003eThe results revealedthat canopy height has a minor effect on the variation in leaf functional traits, with most of the variation attributed to geographic provenances. Notably, 50% of the leaf functional traits presentedsignificant correlations, which were associated mainly withphotosynthetic capacity-related traits. The correlations of \u0026nbsp;leaf functional traits between the average canopy values and the middle part of the canopy are similar..\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion: \u003c/strong\u003eThe influence of canopy height on leaf functional traits in subtropical \u003cem\u003eCunninghamia lanceolata\u003c/em\u003e artificial forests is limited, but the provenances effect had a certain impact on the leaf functional traits. The consistency of tarit relationships between middle part and the entire canopy making it feasible to analyze forest ecosystem functions by collecting leaf samples from the middle canopy. This study provides scientific evidence for research on the functional dynamics of \u003cem\u003eCunninghamia lanceolata\u003c/em\u003e artificial forest ecosystems and the selection of superior provenances.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Impact of canopy vertical height on leaf functional traits in a Cunninghamia lanceolata common garden experiment in Dagangshan","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-07-11 14:29:42","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6943323/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-07-21T11:11:24+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-07-18T14:39:24+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-07-15T10:00:23+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"247459713472159039926108198206205289823","date":"2025-07-14T09:36:51+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"308787940521472529121874627710652543180","date":"2025-07-10T15:40:10+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"39285193300802214809637359943446081702","date":"2025-07-10T06:27:39+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"41716105189076210886847642589929339902","date":"2025-07-10T05:55:36+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-07-09T12:43:15+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-07-09T12:33:07+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-07-02T05:21:19+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-06-30T02:23:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2025-06-30T02:16:34+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"2968ec08-353e-4af0-b79f-58b771ba9159","owner":[],"postedDate":"July 11th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[{"id":51351279,"name":"Biological sciences/Ecology/Ecophysiology"},{"id":51351280,"name":"Biological sciences/Ecology/Forest ecology"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-07T16:07:21+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-6943323","link":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-24811-0","journal":{"identity":"scientific-reports","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Scientific Reports"},"publishedOn":"2026-03-31 15:58:46","publishedOnDateReadable":"March 31st, 2026"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-07-11 14:29:42","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1038/s41598-025-24811-0","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-24811-0","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6943323","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6943323","identity":"rs-6943323","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}