Mei Yang
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Research Interests
Mei Yang has a total of 4 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Dan Sun
Pinglu Canal and Beibu Gulf Coastal Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Disaster Processes and Ecological Protection Technology, College of Marine Sciences Beibu Gulf University Qinzhou China
1 shared publication - Shi-Dan Zhu
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University , Nanning 530004
1 shared publication - Uromi Manage Goodale
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China
1 shared publication - Xiaoyin Wang
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forestry Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
Different Leaf Strategies Between Lithophytic and Terrestrial Orchids in a Subtropical Karst Forest
The leaf economic spectrum framework explains how plants optimize leaf traits for productivity, distribution, and stress tolerance. Orchids in Southwestern China’s karst forests, especially lithophytic species, are challenged by prolonged drought and limited light availability. This study investigated different leaf strategies between lithophytic and terrestrial orchids under the harsh karst environment. We measured key leaf traits, including photosynthesis, structure, biomechanics, nitrogen allocation, and water relations, in twenty-two lithophytic and six terrestrial orchids in a subtropical karst forest. After accounting for phylogenetic influences, we found that lithophytic orchids had a higher leaf mass per area, cuticle thickness, and biomechanical resistance (Fp) but a lower maximum photosynthetic rate (Amax-mass), nitrogen allocation to photosynthesis (NT), and saturated water content (SWC) than terrestrial orchids. These results suggest that lithophytic orchids prioritize structural investment and stress tolerance over photosynthetic efficiency. Across species, NT correlated positively with Amax-mass and negatively with Fp, highlighting nitrogen allocation as a key mechanism in leaf cost–benefit strategies. Additionally, SWC emerged as a critical driver of variation in multiple traits, supporting its integration into the leaf economic spectrum for orchids in karst ecosystems. This study offers new insights into orchid adaptation in subtropical karst environments, with implications for plant resilience under changing climates.
Open AccessDifferent Leaf Strategies Between Lithophytic and Terrestrial Orchids in a Subtropical Karst Forest
The leaf economic spectrum framework explains how plants optimize leaf traits for productivity, distribution, and stress tolerance. Orchids in Southwestern China’s karst forests, especially lithophytic species, are challenged by prolonged drought and limited light availability. This study investigated different leaf strategies between lithophytic and terrestrial orchids under the harsh karst environment. We measured key leaf traits, including photosynthesis, structure, biomechanics, nitrogen allocation, and water relations, in twenty-two lithophytic and six terrestrial orchids in a subtropical karst forest. After accounting for phylogenetic influences, we found that lithophytic orchids had a higher leaf mass per area, cuticle thickness, and biomechanical resistance (Fp) but a lower maximum photosynthetic rate (Amax-mass), nitrogen allocation to photosynthesis (NT), and saturated water content (SWC) than terrestrial orchids. These results suggest that lithophytic orchids prioritize structural investment and stress tolerance over photosynthetic efficiency. Across species, NT correlated positively with Amax-mass and negatively with Fp, highlighting nitrogen allocation as a key mechanism in leaf cost–benefit strategies. Additionally, SWC emerged as a critical driver of variation in multiple traits, supporting its integration into the leaf economic spectrum for orchids in karst ecosystems. This study offers new insights into orchid adaptation in subtropical karst environments, with implications for plant resilience under changing climates.