LEAF LONGEVITY IN EVERGREEN SHRUBS - VARIATION WITHIN AND AMONG EUROPEAN SPECIES

Leaf longevities were determined for 16 species of evergreen shrubs (Ericaceae and Empetraceae) at different habitats at three latitudes (c. 47-degrees, 55-58-degrees and 68-degrees-N) in central and north Europe to determine whether any general trends exist in variation in leaf longevity within and among species. Among these species and sites, mean leaf longevity varied between 1.4 and 3.8 seasons, which is similar to the values reported for other evergreen shrubs, but shorter than for many evergreen conifers. Consistent differences in leaf longevity were found when comparing latitudes (ignoring altitude and habitat type): longevities were longer at 68-degrees-N than at the two lower latitudes. No consistent trends were found among species within altitudes.