Effetti dell'ombreggiamento su quattro specie legnose mediterranee: morfologia, anatomia e fisiologia fogliare

Leaf is the most responsive part of a plant to environmental conditions change. This adaptation increases the fitness also considering stress conditions. Leaf plasticity is expressed in morphological and physiological changes. Morphological, anatomical and physiological traits of four woody shrub species of the Mediterranean maquis were studied: holm oak (Quercus ilex), strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), myrtle (Myrtus communis), and lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus). The work aimed to verify leaf responses under different light levels (70%, 60%, 50% and 30% of sunlight reduction).Leaf areas, perimeters, chlorophyllaandband carotenoids content, color values, cuticle, epidermis, spongy and palisade parenchyma thickness were analyzed. Also correlations between SPAD values and extracted chlorophyll content were provided.The studied species showed changes in some leaves characteristics in response to changed environmental conditions.