Data of Nutritional changes in trees during drought-induced mortality, a comprehensive meta-analysis and a field study

The impact of the nutritional status of trees on their ability to withstand drought-induced mortality remains inconclusive. Our meta-analysis indicated that tissue phosphorus (P), potassium (K), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) concentrations declined obviously with decreasing tree vitalities, implying their roles as a potential early-warning signal for impending tree mortality. However, our field study showed no significant differences in tissue nutrient concentrations among Scots pine trees of different vitalities. This discrepancy could be explained by several critical variables including experimental design types, tree ontogenetic stages, organ types, phylum, leaf life traits, forest biomes, and soil types.