The Adaptive Importance of Shoot and Crown Architecture in Conifer Trees

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

In summary, we believe that the primary adaptive significance of the characteristic leaf, shoot, and crown structure of conifer trees is not because a more vertical leaf orientation of a needle-like leaf results in greater light penetration through upper branches to those lower in the leaf crown or less low-temperature limitation to photosynthesis at lower incident light (Sprugel 1989). Instead, the tight packing of needle-like leaves on individual shoots, along with the conical crown shape and layered arrangement of branches, may be essential for survival during winter, the most stressful period of the year. However, evidence suggests that these same structural features may also enhance summer carbon gain by increasing direct sunlight interception, leaf warming, and photosynthesis per unit of stem biomass.