Journal Article

FZJ-2021-00898

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Applying the economic concept of profitability to leaves

Villar, R. (Corresponding author) ; Olmo, M. ; Atienza, P. ; Garzón, A. J. ; Wright, I. J. ; Poorter, H.FZJ* ; Hierro, L. A.

2021
Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature [London]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/27204  doi:10.1038/s41598-020-79709-w

Abstract: Economic principles can be extended to biological organisms as they optimize the use of resources, but their use in biology has been limited. We applied concepts from traditional economics to the main production unit of plants, the leaf. We quantified the profitability (profit/cost of investment) of leaves from seven biomes worldwide and compared those to the profitability of companies. Here we demonstrate for the first time key similarities and differences between leaf and human economics. First, there was a weak, but positive relationship between profitability and size, both for leaves and companies. Second, environment has a strong effect on profitability, with high values in leaves from biomes with short growth periods and, for companies associated with innovation. Third, shorter longevity of productive units was related to higher profitability. In summary, by comparing economic behaviours of plants and humans there is potential to develop new perspectives on plant ecological strategies and plant evolution.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Pflanzenwissenschaften (IBG-2)

Research Program(s):

1. 899 - ohne Topic (POF4-899) (POF4-899)

Appears in the scientific report 2021

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