Data from: Revisiting the relative growth rate hypothesis for gymnosperm and angiosperm species co‐occurrence

Premise of the study: It is unclear to what extent the co-occurrence of
angiosperm and gymnosperm species in some marginal ecosystems is explained
by reduced growth in angiosperms due to carbon (C) limitation, and by high
stress tolerance in gymnosperms associated with lack of vessels and
resource conservation. Methods: We examined growth patterns and traits
associated with C balance in four evergreen angiosperm species (including
one vesselless species, Drimys winteri) and three gymnosperm tree species
of a cold-temperate rainforest in southern Chile. We measured the mean
basal area increment for the first 50 (BAI50) and the last 10 years
(BAI10), wood density, leaf lifespan, and non-structural carbohydrate
(NSC) concentrations in different organs. Key results: BAI50 was 6-fold
higher in angiosperms than in gymnosperms, and c. 4-fold higher in Drimys
than in the fastest growing gymnosperm. BAI10 and aboveground NSC
concentrations were significantly higher and leaf lifespan lower in
angiosperms than in gymnosperms; these differences though were largely
driven by the slow growth and low NSC concentrations of the Cupressaceae
species (Pilgerodendron uviferum), while the two Podocarpaceae showed
similar BAI10 and NSC concentrations to angiosperms. In angiosperms, NSC
and starch concentrations were generally higher in species with lower
BAI10, indicating no severe C limitation. Conclusions: The co-occurrence
of angiosperms and gymnosperms in cold-temperate rainforests of southern
Chile is not explained by growth disadvantages and C limitation in
angiosperms. High leaf longevity, but not lack of vessels, appeared to
favor resource conservation and C balance in some gymnosperms
(Podocarpaceae). In compliance with data protection regulations, please
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