Appendix 1

Path Analysis: Decomposition of the correlation of light measures (canopy openness, long-term and short-term light intensity), support tissue, edge pore density, and photosynthetic and epidermal layer thickness (Epi/Photo layer) with photosynthesis level. Only data for plant traits as the dependent variable are included in the table. The effect coefficient is the direct effect + the indirect effect of the independent variables on the relevant plant trait.

Variables in path / Female / Male
Dependent Traits / Independent / Direct effect / Indirect effect / Effect coefficient / Direct effect / Indirect effect / Effect coefficient
Support tissue / Epi/Photo layer / .618*** / 0 / .618 / .215 / 0 / .215
Long-term light / 0 / .021 / .021 / 0 / .059 / .050
Canopy openness / .316** / -0.059 / .257 / .201 / -.007 / .194
Edge pore density / Epi/Photo layer / .283* / 0 / .283 / .255* / 0 / .255
Long-term light / .178 / .010 / .188 / .303† / .090 / .362
Canopy openness / -.474* / .094 / -.379 / -.834*** / .199 / -.635
Photo/Epi layer / Long-term light / -.035 / 0 / .035 / .232 / 0 / .232
Canopy openness / -.120 / .024 / -.096 / -.193 / .159 / -.034
Photosynthesis level / Support tissue / -.426* / 0 / -.426 / .123 / 0 / .123
Edge pore density / .238 / 0 / .238 / .369* / 0 / .369
Epi/Photo layer / .281 / -.196 / .085 / -.059 / .120 / .061
Short-term light / .224 / 0 / .224 / -.048 / 0 / -.048
Long-term light / 0 / .045 / .045 / 0 / .126 / .126
Canopy openness / 0 / -.105 / -0.105 / 0 / -.234 / -.234

† P < 0.1 categorized as a tendency, * P< 0.05, ** P < .01, *** P < .0001

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