Abstract: The effect of wind on the morphology, physiological and growth of trees has been a topic and difficulty of ecology. At present, response and adaptation of trees to wind were determined through short-time simulation wind or mechanical stimulation, which cannot reflect the long-term adaptation mechanism of trees in the natural windy environment. Here, needle morphology, including length, width, area, specific leaf area(SLA), and anatomy structure, including cuticle and epidermal thickness, were determined for 60-a Pinus thunbergii along coastal-inland gradient. Needle length, width, perimeter, area, thickness and SLA on windward of P. thunbergii decreased from inland to coast, while cuticle thickness, epidermal thickness and vessel diameter increased(P<0.05). However, there were not significant difference for these indices on leeward along coastal-inland gradient. Needle traits on the same gradient were found to be significant differences between windward and leeward within 500 m from coastline. Therefore, with the increasing of sea wind stress, needle morphological indices were decreased to reduce the force bearing area, which was a kind of avoidance strategy. Meanwhile, the needle anatomical indices were increased to improve needle toughness and guarantee adequate water supply, which was a kind of tolerance strategy. These results showed the response and adaption strategies in coastal wind environment for P. thunbergii.

Key words: coastal-inland gradient, morphology, anatomy, wind, Pinus thunbergii