Illuminati, AngelaQuerejeta, José IgnacioPías Couso, María BeatrizEscudero, AdriánMatesanz, Silvia2024-02-192024-02-192022Illuminati, Angela, et al. «Coordination between Water Uptake Depth and the Leaf Economic Spectrum in a Mediterranean Shrubland». Journal of Ecology, vol. 110, n.o 8, agosto de 2022, pp. 1844-56. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13909.0022-047710.1111/1365-2745.13909https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/101556Water is the most limiting resource for plant survival and growth in arid environments, but the diversity of water- use strategies among coexisting species in dryland communities is not well understood. There is also growing interest in assessing whether a whole- plant coordination exists between traits related to water- use and the leaf economic spectrum (LES). 2. We used water stable isotopes (δ2H, δ18O) to quantify water uptake proportions from different soil depths by 24 species in a Mediterranean shrubland. Leaf traits associated with water- use efficiency, stomatal regulation (δ13C, δ18O) and the LES (SLA, N, P, K concentrations) were also measured. We assessed potential trade- offs between the above- mentioned leaf traits, water uptake depth and their relationship with species abundance. 3. We found distinct ecohydrological niche segregation among coexisting species. Bayesian models showed that our shrubland species used a median of 37% of shallow soil water (0– 30 cm) and 63% of deep water (30– 100 cm). Still, water source proportions varied considerably among species, as shallow soil water- use ranged from a minimum of 6.4% to a maximum of 68%. Interspecific variability in foliar carbon investment (SLA) and nutrient concentrations was remarkably high, indicating diverse nutrient- use strategies along the LES. Leaf δ18O, δ13C and δ15N values also differed widely among species, revealing differences in stomatal regulation, water- use efficiency and nitrogen acquisition mechanisms. After accounting for evolutionary history effects, water uptake depth was coordinated with the LES: species using shallower soil water from fertile topsoil layers exhibited a more acquisitive carbon- and nutrient- use strategy, whereas water uptake from deeper but less fertile soil layers was linked to a more conservative nutrient- use strategy. Leaf- level water- use traits significantly influenced species abundance, as water- savers with tight stomatal regulation and high water- use efficiency were dominant. 4. Synthesis. Greater utilisation of water stored in nutrient- rich topsoil layers favoured a more acquisitive nutrient- use strategy, whereas a deeper water uptake pattern appeared to constrain access to nutrients. Our findings thus suggest a largely inescapable trade- off and coordination between soil water uptake depth and carbon- and nutrient- use strategies in low- fertility drylands.engjournal article1365-2745https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13909restricted access581.557631.4CoexistenceDrylandsEcohydrological niche segregationLeaf economic spectrumMediterranean shrublandsPlant–soil (below-ground) interactionsStable isotopesWater-use strategyWater uptake depthEcología (Biología)Botánica (Biología)2417.13 Ecología Vegetal2417 Biología Vegetal (Botánica)