Leaf traits, growth allometry and competition

The ability to simulate plant competition accurately is essential for plant functional-type (PFT)-based models used in climate-change studies. Yu and Gao investigate competition between oak (Quercus liaotungensis) and birch/poplar (Betula platyphylla/Populus davidiana) in a temperate forest using a PFT-based ecosystem model and determine that higher assimilation rates of birch/popular lead to its dominance during early successional stages when competition is relatively low. However, with higher drought tolerance/resistance and larger allocation to leaves/roots, oak out-competes the other species in the middle and late successional stages when there is intensive competition for below-ground resources.