Seasonal variability of dry matter content and its relationship with shoot growth and nonstructural carbohydrates.

This study assesses how different phases of shoot growth underlie seasonal change in leaf and stem dry matter content (LDMC and SDMC, respectively) of 12 woody Mediterranean species. The relationship between LDMC and nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations is also explored and the seasonal vs interspecies variability of LDMC compared. LDMC, SDMC and shoot elongation rate (SER) were measured on a monthly basis for a minimum of 12 months.