Elaboration of a Novel Theory for the Scaling of Plant Form, Function, and Diversity

0129144 Brian Enquist该奖项将支持实地研究，以获得用于评估假设和预测的新理论模型的数据，该模型用于将植物解剖和生理属性从个体内部扩展到种群，甚至生态系统。本研究的最终目标是扩展和阐述生物学中缩放的一般理论和机制框架。该框架基于进化和物理第一原理，整合了生物体形式和功能的特定属性如何与生物体大小（异速生长）变化以及这些变化如何影响生态和进化现象。实地和实验室评估是必要的，以（i）推进未来的努力，以规模的解剖和生理属性的个人和（ii）连接如何属性的生物体在个人层面上的分歧（规模）在植物种群，社区和生态系统。该项目的重点是了解植物维管的形式和功能。 它将提供木本植物物种的基线异速生长数据，以评估理论模型的众多预测。具体而言，研究将集中在四个树种的密集解剖和生理测量，这些树种跨越一系列环境梯度，功能多样（包括三大类维管结构;环状，弥漫性和无孔维管植物）。将使用个体解剖学和流体动力学属性的标准化测量来评价模型。例如，将进行具体测量以确定总叶面积、分枝数、分枝长度、总水通量/光合速率、茎传导率、叶比传导率、管胞/导管半径、传导和非传导组织的比例以及水含量如何随着植物质量和分支直径的变化而变化。这些信息将是至关重要的（1）未来的新的理论模型的阐述;（2）理解植物的生理属性的缩放;（3）研究生物学中的异速生长的进化和生态学意义。这三个研究方向将构成Enquist博士作为亚利桑那大学新教员的研究计划的核心，该奖项将支持生物缩放研究生课程的建设。

0129144Brian EnquistThis award will support field research to obtain data for assessing assumptions and predictions of a new theoretical model for scaling plant anatomical and physiological attributes from within individuals to populations, and even ecosystems. The ultimate goal of this research is to expand and elaborate a general theoretical and mechanistic framework for scaling in biology. This framework is based on evolutionary and physical first principles, integrating how specific attributes of organismal form and function change with organismal size (allometry) and how such changes influence ecological and evolutionary phenomena. Field and laboratory assessments are necessary to (i) advance future efforts to scale anatomical and physiological attributes of individuals and (ii) to link how attributes of organisms at the level of the individual ramifies (scales) across plant populations, communities, and ecosystems. This project focuses on understanding plant vascular form and function. It will provide the base-line allometric data for woody plant species necessary to assess numerous predictions of theoretical models. Specifically, the research will focus on intensive anatomical and physiological measurements of four tree species which span a range of environmental gradients and are functionally diverse (including the three major classes of vascular structure; ring-, diffuse-, and non-porous vascular plants). Standardized measurements of anatomical and hydrodynamic attributes of individuals will be used to evaluate the model. For example, specific measurements will be made to determine how total leaf area, the number of branches, length of branches, total water flux/photosynthetic rate, stem conductivity, leaf specific conductivity, tracheid/vessel radius, the proportion of conductive and non conductive tissue, and water content scale with changes in plant mass and with branch diameter. Such information will be critical for (1) future elaboration of new theoretical models; (2) understanding scaling of physiological attributes of plants; and (3) investigating the evolutionary and ecological implications of allometry in biology. These three research directions will form the core of Dr. Enquist's research program as a new faculty member at the University of Arizona, and this award will support the building of a graduate program in biological scaling.