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Home > People > Graduate Students > Christopher Ikaika D. Nakahashi
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Christopher Ikaika D. Nakahashi PhD Student Plant Structure/Function Track Contact Information University of Hawai`i at Manoa 
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Affiliations Studies of leaf hydraulic design in Hawaiian native and alien species Abstract: The recognition of the importance of leaf hydraulics is about a hundred years old, but within the last five years research on the topic has gained strong momentum. Leaf hydraulic design has tremendous implications for the physiological performance of whole plants. I will look at the leaf hydraulic design from two perspectives, externally and internally, for a diverse set of Hawaiian native and alien species. First, I will test the role of leaf teeth on wetted leaves to discover if they help to shed water faster-i.e., if leaf teeth act as mini-driptips. Second, I will study internal aspects of leaf design, especially focusing on how stomatal responses to dry air and to CO2 levels are linked with leaf hydraulic architecture and with leaf anatomy and composition. Some hypotheses are that leaves with larger stomata pore area due to higher stomatal density and/or larger stomata have higher leaf hydraulic conductance and gas exchange rates, and leaves with smaller stomata have more responsive stomata. I will use ANOVAs and regression analyses to elucidate patterns, including testing for the presence of clusters of correlated leaf traits. These studies will clarify many aspects of leaf design and ecophysiology for the native Hawaiian plants and address current issues in plant structure-function. My results could be used to assess species' drought responses, which will contribute to knowledge for conservation and restoration projects. Personal Statement: I am interested in investigating the hydraulic and photosynthetic properties of Hawaiian plant species. Very little is known about the Hawaiian flora from a functional perspective. Current research projects include testing and refining common techniques for use of the pressure chamber for determining leaf water potential. I am also researching the potential function of leaf teeth as mini-drip tips. New projects on leaf hydraulic properties are in development. I love Hawai'i and the Hawaiian culture. I want to help strengthen the bridge between Western science and traditional Polynesian knowledge. Publications:
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