BibTex format
@article{Zhou:2026,
author = {Zhou, B and Prentice, CI},
journal = {Global Change Biology},
title = {Optimal biomass allocation to leaves across global terrestrial ecosystems},
year = {2026}
}
Citation
RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)
TY - JOUR
AB - Leaves influence global climate and water resources by regulating the flows of CO, energy, and water between the atmosphere and land. Here we developed a theoretical framework that predicts the optimal annual fraction of biomass production allocated to the production of new leaves (ηf) as the product of the optimal leaf area index(LAI) and the optimal ratio of leaf mass–per–area to the leaf life cycle (LMA/LC), divided by annual total biomass production (BP). All quantities depend on local environmental variables, with different solutions (embedding a climatic aridity effect on optimal LMA/LC) for evergreen and deciduous plants. Using a global compilation of ηf data, we show that this theory predicts the emergent responses of ηf to growing–season temperature and aridity. These responses arise from the trade–offs among the environmental sensitivities of LMA/LC, LAI, and BP. It is predicted that the rising CO is steadily reducing the fraction of biomass production allocated to leaves.
AU - Zhou,B
AU - Prentice,CI
PY - 2026///
SN - 1354-1013
TI - Optimal biomass allocation to leaves across global terrestrial ecosystems
T2 - Global Change Biology
ER -
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