Dr. Contreras-Quintana, Sergio

2023, Dr. Contreras-Quintana, Sergio, Cerda-Peña, Carol, Huguet, A.

Background and aims: Soil properties and climate influence leaf chemical traits producing intraspecific variation in plants. Studies evaluating their importance in the South American Temperate Forest (STF) species are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the intraspecific differences in five evergreen species of the rainforest considering two contrasting areas (i.e. temperature and precipitation), linking soil and climate with plants traits. Methods: Soil properties (Corg%, N%, C/N, δ13C, δ15N, pH and temperature), climate variables (mean annual precipitation and temperature [MAP; MAT]) and leaf chemical traits (C%, N% and P%, C/N, N/P, δ13C and δ15N) were measured and compared between two areas in the Northern Patagonia (42°- 44°S). In addition, the relationship of leaf chemical traits with soil and climate was assessed. Results: Significant differences were found in soil (Corg%, C/N and pH; p < 0.05) and climate (p < 0.05), with MAP identified as the most common factor controlling soil properties (Corg%, C/N and δ15N). Intraspecific differences in leaf chemical traits were found between areas, but not in all traits. The most common leaf chemical trait with significant differences was C%. Higher mean C% values were found in the island in plants and soils. High number of correlations (n = 13 correlations; p < 0.05) were found between leaf chemical traits. On the other hand, only MAP was a significant predictor of δ13C in the leaves. Conclusion: The leaf chemical traits variability suggests a species-specific response to the soil and climate conditions, with important influence of precipitation as the most common predictor of soil properties and δ13C in the leaves.