3.2 Plant trait trends across soil type, species, and climate
Analyses using randomForest were performed using species and community level traits. For the species-level, analyses were performed with soil type, species identity, and climate as response variables. Species was most strongly associated with maximum height, leaf area, and leaf dry weight (22.3 %, 17.8 %, and 16.47 % respectively), with a 38.76 % error decrease. Soil was most strongly associated with mortality, dry weight, and number reproducing (8.5 %, 4.5 %, and 4.0 % respectively), with a 35.93 % error decrease. Climate was most strongly associated with biomass, maximum height, and leaf area (16.29 %, 12.92 %, and 12.1 % respectively), with a 38.33 % error decrease. Overall, species’ trait responses were more consistent across climate than soil, with the highest variable predictive ability being observed in association with species. For the community level, analyses were performed with soil and climate as response variables. Soil type was most strongly associated with mortality, root biomass, and reproduction (24.56 %, 20.00 %, and 19.72 % respectively), with a 26.67 % error decrease. Climate was most strongly associated with leaf area, leaf dry weight, and mortality (39.78%, 28.57%, and 27.68% respectively) with a 46.63 % error decrease. Once again, climate was observed to have more predictable trait responses than soil. For the site level, analyses were performed with soil type and climate as response variables. Soil type was most strongly determined by mortality, reproduction, and maximum height (39.42 %, 39.17 %, and 18.75 % respectively), with a 41.63 % error decrease.