Comparing Functional Traits Across Three Genera Across Two Different Types of Soils

Indianapolis, IN

Phenotypic plasticity allows acclimation to occur and certain traits are more plastic than others. I proposed three questions to explore the tradeoff of the following plastic traits: leaf mass per area, seed mass and fruit water content on two different soil types across four species. Are leaf mass per area (LMA) and seed mass and/or fruit water content correlated? Do trait values differ across soil types? Do functional trait values vary within species depending on the soil type they grow on? I measured leaf thickness, leaf dry mass, leaf area, seed mass and fruit water content. I found no correlation between LMA and fruit and seed traits, a difference of trait values across soil types and with the data I had I was not able to answer the last question. My data found that functional trait values do vary across soil types, however, in the future, more samples are needed to gain more insight into fruit water content.