leaf functional diversity and environmental filtering in a tropical dry forest: comparison between two geological substrates

The role of geological substrate in shaping plant community functional diversity remains poorly understood. Considering the involvement of leaves in the energy, water and nutrient economics of plants, we hypothesized that leaves experience geology-related filtering, impacting functional attributes and functional leaf community diversity on different substrates. We studied tropical dry forest communities on limestone and siliciclastic phyllite-derived soils, comparing their functional diversity and soil physico-chemical properties. We predicted the most benign habitat (less severe filter) to be associated with higher leaf functional diversity and an acquisitive strategy prevalence, while the more stressful habitat should show conservative leaf traits and lower leaf functional diversity. We measured six traits in 31 common tree species (representing ~80% of community crown cover): leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf thickness, leaf dry matter content, petiole length, and leaf blade narrow..., Please see article in Ecology and Evolution for a detailed description of field and analytical methods., ,