Data from: Environmental filtering explains variation in plant diversity along resource gradients

The mechanisms that shape plant diversity along resource gradients remain unresolved because competing theories have been evaluated in isolation. By testing multiple theories simultaneously across a >2-million-year dune chronosequence in an Australian biodiversity hotspot, we show that variation in plant diversity is not explained by local resource heterogeneity, resource partitioning, nutrient stoichiometry, or soil fertility along this strong resource gradient. Rather, our results suggest that diversity is determined by environmental filtering from the regional flora, driven by soil acidification during long-term pedogenesis. This finding challenges the prevailing view that resource competition controls local plant diversity along resource gradients, and instead reflects processes shaping species pools over evolutionary time scales.,Vegetation data along the Jurien Bay dune chronosequenceFloristic surveys were conducted on the 60 permanent 10 m × 10 m plots (10 plots in each of six chronosequence stages). Each plot was surveyed at least once between August 2011 and March 2012. To estimate canopy cover and number of individuals for each plant species within the 10 m × 10 m plots, seven randomly-located 2 m × 2 m subplots were surveyed within each plot. Within each subplot, all vascular plant species were identified, the corresponding number of individuals was counted and the vertically projected vegetation canopy cover was estimated.jurienveg.csvSoil data along the Jurien Bay chronosequenceBetween 11–16 June 2012, seven soil samples (one sample per 2 m × 2 m subplot) were collected in each of the sixty 10 m × 10 m plots, for a total of 420 samples. Subsampling was done to obtain more accurate estimates of the mean and to estimate within-plot spatial variation in soil properties. Samples were taken at 0–20 cm depth using a 50-mm diameter sand auger, sieved (