Leaf functional traits vary within and across tree species in tropical cloud forest on rock outcrop versus volcanic soil

Abstract

Functional leaf traits are used to classify plants into ecological strategies according to the leaf economic spectrum. Geological substrate has an important effect on functional trait variation, however, interspecific and intraspecific trait variation on contrasting substrates needs to be documented for tropical humid forests. We hypothesized that a conservative resource strategy is prevalent in forests on rocky outcrops (FOR) and an acquisitive strategy is prevalent in forests on volcanic substrate (FOV). Our aim was to determine interspecific and intraspecific variation in functional traits of tree species on FOR and FOV...