Contrasting soil‐ and canopy‐nurse effects in metalliferous systems may be explained by dominant plant functional strategies

Plant-plant interaction studies in metalliferous systems have focused either on the role of facilitation or negative effects elemental allelopathy. However, no investigated both these same system, and their relationships with functional strategy nurse species, although this is crucial for ecological restoration polluted sites. We assessed two dominant apparent contrasting strategies, target species a slag heap Pyrenees (France). quantified long-term soil-engineering short-term canopy growth species. also measured morphological traits leaf metal concentration air moisture, temperature vapour pressure deficit. Nurse as inferred from seem to drive soil engineering species: Gypsophila repens, relative larger more exploitative high concentration, had likely due allelopathy, whereas Minuartia verna, smaller conservative lower amount metals leaves, neutral effects. Although repens slightly stronger positive effect microclimate than did not turn into higher Synthesis applications: Our study highlights diverse long companion systems. Different can improve performance by mitigation climatic stress, ultimately help speed-up environments. status regarding accumulation has be verified. For having microclimatic may offset local increase contamination long-term.