Leaf traits of 14 dominant arbuscle and Liana species in karst hills of Guilin

In this paper, the leaf dry weight (DW), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), leaf area (LA), leaf thickness (LT) and specific leaf area (SLA) of the 14 dominant arbuscle and liana species in karst hills of Guilin were measured to study the adaption to the karst habitat. The results showed that the DW, LDMC, LA, LT and SLA were significant differences among dominant arbuscle and liana species. The average of the DW, LDMC, LA, LT and SLA was 0.17 g, 0.44g·g −1 , 18.40cm 2 , 0.33mm, 102.28cm 2 ·g −1 , respectively. Based on the five leaf traits, the 14 dominant arbuscle and liana species were divided into three groups by clustering analysis. The first group included Loropetalum chinense, Pyracantha fortuneana, Sageretia rugosa, Rosa cymosa, Bauhinia championii, Mallotus repandus and Grewia biloba var. parviflora. This group often occurred at the mesoslope or downslope with habitat of thinner soil layer, less moisture and nutrient where the pioneer community of the liana and bushes succession stage occurred. The second group included Sinosideroxylon wightianum, Pittosporum planilobum, Decaspermum esquirolii, Ligustrum retusum and Ficus tinctoria. This group often occurred at the mesoslope or upslope with habitat of thinner soil layer, less moisture and poor nutrient where the middle and late succession community of the bushes stage occurred. The third group included Alchornea trewioides and Vitex negundo. This group often occurred at the downslope with habitat of relatively thicker soil layer, relatively more moisture and richer nutrient where the pioneer succession community of the bushes stage occurred. The results showed that the five leaf traits of the 14 dominant arbuscle and liana species well reflected the countermeasure on adaption to karst hills.