Data from: Competitive response of savanna tree seedlings to C4 grasses is negatively related to photosynthesis rate

Savanna tree species vary in the magnitude of their response to
grass competition, but the functional traits that explain this variation
remain largely unknown. To address this gap, we grew seedlings of 10
savanna tree species with and without grasses in a controlled greenhouse
experiment. We found strong interspecific differences in tree competitive
response, which was positively related to photosynthesis rates, suggesting
a trade-off between the ability to grow well under conditions of low and
high grass biomass across tree species. We also found no competitive effect
of tree seedlings on grass, suggesting strong tree-grass competitive
asymmetry. Our results identify a potentially important trade-off that
enhances our ability to predict how savanna tree communities might respond
to variation in grass competition.