The role of topography and plant functional traits in determining tropical reforestation success

1.Early establishment and sapling growth is a key phase in ensuring cost-effective reforestation success in relation to biodiversity outcomes. Therefore species selection must consider the interaction between plant functional traits and the often-challenging and heterogeneous biophysical environment of degraded landscapes.

2.In this study, we examine how microtopography (slope) results in spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients, especially phosphorus (P) in a degraded tropical pasture landscape in Queensland, Australia. We then explore how this small-scale heterogeneity influences the growth of two native tree species, Cardwellia (C.) sublimis (Proteaceae) and Flindersia (F.) brayleyana (Rutaceae), which differ in key nutrient-acquisition strategies.

3.The proteaceous C. sublimis was found to be buffered from possible P limitation in degraded soils due to its effective P acquisition by cluster roots. In contrast to C. sublimis, which showed no difference in growth after 5 years ac...