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Geometric entropy of plant leaves: A measure of morphological complexity.
- Source :
- PLoS ONE; 1/2/2024, Vol. 19 Issue 1, p1-24, 24p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Shape is an objective characteristic of an object. A boundary separates a physical object from its surroundings. It defines the shape and regulates energy flux into and from an object. Visual perception of a definite shape (geometry) of physical objects is an abstraction. While the perceived geometry at an object's sharp interface (macro) creates a Euclidian illusion of actual shape, the notion of diffuse interfaces (micro) allows an understanding of the realistic form of objects. Here, we formulate a dimensionless geometric entropy of plant leaves (S<subscript>L</subscript>) by a 2-D description of a phase-field function. We applied this method to 112 tropical plant leaf images. S<subscript>L</subscript> was estimated from the leaf perimeter (P) and leaf area (A). It correlates positively with a fractal dimensional measure of leaf complexity, viz., segmental fractal complexity. Leaves with a higher P: A ratio have higher S<subscript>L</subscript> and possess complex morphology. The univariate cluster analysis of S<subscript>L</subscript> reveals the taxonomic relationship among the leaf shapes at the genus level. An increase in S<subscript>L</subscript> of plant leaves could be an evolutionary strategy. The results of morphological complexity presented in this paper will trigger discussion on the causal links between leaf adaptive stability/efficiency and complexity. We present S<subscript>L</subscript> as a derived plant trait to describe plant leaf complexity and adaptive stability. Integrating S<subscript>L</subscript> into other leaf physiological measures will help to understand the dynamics of energy flow between plants and their environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 19
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 174560177
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293596