dc.contributor.advisor |
Schwendenmann, L |
en |
dc.contributor.author |
Morgen, Buya |
en |
dc.date.accessioned |
2020-01-09T00:51:54Z |
en |
dc.date.issued |
2019 |
en |
dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/2292/49434 |
en |
dc.description |
Full Text is available to authenticated members of The University of Auckland only. |
en |
dc.description.abstract |
The nature and scale of the ecosystem functions face continuous alterations by the increasing anthropogenic disturbances associated with urbanisation. Through changes in leaf traits such as specific leaf area (SLA), leaf nitrogen (N) content, carbon (C) content and C:N ratio plant can respond to changes in environmental conditions. Therefore this study has investigated SLA, N content, C content and C:N ratios across evergreen broad leaf species in urban forests of Auckland. Six urban forest sites with similar climatic and geological conditions were selected. However, the areas surrounding the urban forests were build up at different times (age of the neighbourhood). At each of the sites, the five most abundant species within a 20 by 20 m plot (1 plot per site) were selected for sampling. To quantify the leaf traits, fresh leaves of the selected species were collected towards the end of each season. The SLA was estimated using scanned photos and ImageJ software. Leaf N and C content was determined using an elemental analyser. Leaf litter was collected, using pop-up baskets set-up underneath each of the five species in each plot. Litter collection was done every two to three weeks from June to November 2018. The leaf traits between the seasons did not differ significantly while leaf traits between sites differed significantly. Despite considerable variations, the relationships between inter-related leaf traits were consistent with the general pattern of relationship observed from evergreen species among and within different biomes of the world. N content of fresh leaves was positively correlated with SLA while C content and C:N ratio were negatively correlated with SLA. Fresh leaf N and C content did not show any significant relationship. Although leaf traits differed between sites, there was no clear relationship between leaf traits and the age of the neighbourhood. Differences in leaf traits between sites may be driven by differences in soil N availability. However, further studies are required to confirm this observation. |
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dc.publisher |
ResearchSpace@Auckland |
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dc.relation.ispartof |
Masters Thesis - University of Auckland |
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dc.relation.isreferencedby |
UoA99265271313502091 |
en |
dc.rights |
Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. |
en |
dc.rights |
Restricted Item. Full Text is available to authenticated members of The University of Auckland only. |
en |
dc.rights.uri |
https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm |
en |
dc.rights.uri |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/nz/ |
en |
dc.title |
Leaf traits of evergreen species in urban forests, Auckland, New Zealand |
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dc.type |
Thesis |
en |
thesis.degree.discipline |
Environmental Science |
en |
thesis.degree.grantor |
The University of Auckland |
en |
thesis.degree.level |
Masters |
en |
dc.rights.holder |
Copyright: The author |
en |
pubs.elements-id |
790725 |
en |
pubs.record-created-at-source-date |
2020-01-09 |
en |
dc.identifier.wikidata |
Q112949604 |
|