Trade‐offs in juvenile growth potential vs. shade tolerance among subtropical rain forest trees on soils of contrasting fertility

摘要: Summary Plant adaptation to gradients of light availability involves a well-studied functional trade-off, as does nutrient availability. However, little is known about how these two major trade-offs interact, and thus, it remains unclear whether the nature growth–shade tolerance trade-off differs on soils contrasting fertility. We asked juvenile differed in slope elevation between tree assemblages nutrient-rich basalt nutrient-poor rhyolite an Australian subtropical rain forest. We measured growth of, range environments occupied by, juveniles (40–120 cm tall) eight specialists, six one generalist that was common both substrates. In situ minimum requirements were estimated from 5th percentile distribution naturally regenerated relation daily transmittance. Stem for 12–16 months across wide estimate compensation point each species. Light points showed nearly 1 : 1 correspondence with in situ species, indicating whole-plant carbon balance key driver ecological success low light. Minimum negatively correlated relative rate light, but positively high Soil type had no effect either or this all species aligning around our results do show wider rates shade soil than rhyolite. Our suggest fundamentally similar substrates differing fertility. may help explain higher richness greater structural complexity forest stands former substrate.