Influence of leaf size of plant on leaf transpiration and temperature in arid regions

Aims Our objective was to demonstrate the influence of leaf size on leaf transpiration and temperature in arid regions. Methods Based on energy and material exchange theory and the results of previous studies, we set up a single leaf energy and material exchange model combined with arid environmental conditions. Important findings Leaf transpiration decreased with increasing stomatal resistance, but leaf temperature increased. Leaf transpiration and temperature decreased with decreasing leaf radiation absorption rate in the same environmental conditions. Moreover, leaf width and wind speed were important parameters in understanding leaf energy and material exchange. Leaf transpiration and temperature generally decreased with decreasing leaf width with wind speed 0.1 m·s –1 and stomatal resistance about 1 000 s·m –1 . Low leaf transpiration and temperature could encourage plant growth with the low water availability, high radiation and high temperature conditions in arid regions.