Leaf traits and leaf-to-air temperature differences in tropical plants suggest variability in thermoregulatory capacities across elevations

Understanding thermoregulation in plants is critical to predicting the consequences of global warming on terrestrial ecosystems. I present empirical evidence that leaf traits and leaf-to-air temperature differ among plants from a tropical elevation gradient. These findings suggest the existence of specific plant adaptations for thermoregulation across varying elevational zones., , , # Leaf traits and leaf-to-air temperature differences in tropical plants suggest variability in thermoregulatory capacities across elevations

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.7pvmcvf25](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.7pvmcvf25)

## Description of the data and file structure

This dataset presents leaf traits, leaf temperature, and air temperature of Melastomataceae plants in a tropical elevation gradient in Costa Rica. Plants are identified at the family level and each leaf has a unique code. Elevation and time of collection are also reported.

### Descriptions

Leaf: ID of the sampled leaf. Three leaves were sampled per individual.

Elevation: Elevation (m.a.s.l.) of the study site.

Plant: ID of the plant individual. At each location, six individuals were randomly sampled from any species within the Melastomataceae, and leaf temperature was measured on three leaves per individual.

Leaftemp1: Temperature (degrees Celsius) at the bottom center of the leaf. Leaf temperature was measured u...