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Despite the potential for changes during transit or preservation, the physicochemical properties of leaves are typically measured in a laboratory setting. A suite of laboratory methods adapted for use in the field is described here. The equipment is portable and operable in remote environments. Each technique has been validated against laboratory standards and has been tested throughout the tropics in a variety of ecological contexts. The properties of canopy and understorey leaves from Central Panama are reported here. The results show clear differences between leaves growing in different light regimes. Canopy leaves are tougher and possess greater concentrations of protein, phenols, and tannins. The implication of these results to the resource availability hypothesis, which proposes trade‐offs between physiology and defences against herbivory, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]