Effects of leaf thermal traits and plant height on leaf temperature
We expected that provenance differences in ∆Tleaf could be well explained by observed variation in leaf thermal traits, as well as the influence of plant height on microclimate. Leaf energy balance modelling proved a useful tool to explore the implications of coordinated shifts in multiple thermal traits, with observed and modelled ∆Tleaf showing close agreement, as in other studies (Fauset et al., 2018; Guo et al., 2022; Perez & Feeley, 2020). Some deviations in the leaf energy balance modelling can be attributed to our microclimate inputs coming from the clearing 200m away. Our provenance trial microclimate is partly buffered by the surrounding forest, which likely reduces wind speed compared to that observed in the clearing (Davies-Colley et al., 2000). As a result, our modelled ∆Tleaf is lower than observed. In addition, we show that deviations between modelled and observed ∆Tleaf is associated with plant height. Despite these errors in absolute leaf temperature, the relative patterns of provenance differentiation in ∆Tmod was unaffected, therefore, we believe leaf energy balance modelling can still be utilised to explore acclimation and adaptation of leaf thermoregulation to climate change.