Spatial, genetic and biotic factors shape within-crown leaf trait variation and herbivore performance in a foundation tree species

Functional trait variation within individual plants is predicted to have important ecological consequences. However, our understanding of the sources contributing to subindividual trait heterogeneity, and the ramifications thereof, is poor. In a common garden, we sampled multiple genotypes of mature trembling aspen Populus tremuloides at different vertical crown levels and quantified the contributions of genetic, spatial and biotic (herbivory) factors to subindividual morphological and chemical leaf trait variance. Bioassays using gypsy moth Lymantria dispar L. caterpillars were conducted to study the impacts of spatial and genotypic factors on insect performance. Crown position was the primary source of subindividual variation in leaf morphology and explained more of the variance in morphological traits than tree genotype. Effects of spatial, genetic and biotic factors on within-crown chemistry were highly compound specific. For many compounds, changes in within-crown concentrations differed among genotypes, revealing that genotypic variation not only contributes to phytochemical diversity among individuals of the same population, but also affects subindividual chemical trait heterogeneity. For many defence-related compounds, total within-crown variance itself differed among genotypes and was in many cases a heritable trait. Bioassays revealed that effects of crown position on caterpillar performance varied among tree genotypes and caterpillar sexes. We demonstrate that even relatively small trees can express subtle but distinct levels of within-crown leaf trait variation. In aspen, this variation is shaped not only by spatial factors, but also by genetics and to a lesser degree by herbivory. Within-crown variation in defence chemistry might itself provide a defensive phenotype against herbivores and contribute to the biological diversity of canopy insect communities. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Automated summary

Variation in individual plant functional traits is influenced by genetic, spatial, and biotic factors, which have significant ecological consequences. The sources contributing to subindividual trait heterogeneity within plants are complex and multifaceted, including genetic variation, spatial distribution, and biotic interactions. These factors play a key role in shaping within-plant trait variance and can impact ecological interactions within plant communities.