Mixing has limited impacts on the foliar nutrition of European beech and Scots pine trees across Europe

Tree species-mixing has been suggested as one option to counteract the adverse effects of global change on tree mineral nutrition, yet effect mixing nutrient availability remains poorly documented. We therefore analyzed current foliar (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) quantities and ilr balances (isometric log transformed ratios between elements or groups elements) for 261 European beech 248 Scots pine trees from 15 sites, each consisting beech-pine mixed stand respective monocultures, across a gradient environmental conditions in Europe. hypothesized an overall positive content, that this would be stronger nutrient-poor sites. Using linear models multivariate regression models, we first tested species (beech/pine) composition (pure/mixed) all sites; then investigated whether was related site fertility. The leaves needles differed significantly balances. For both species, significant were detected some nutrients balances; those effects, however, could not consistently contrasted species. most balances, influenced by nutritional status, but pattern expectation: absence minor differences monocultures mixtures at lower end chemical fertility gradient, maximum rich soils. contrasting status only partly explained nutrition. Our results claim better understanding nutrient-related mechanisms associated with complementarity points towards need further expand existing frameworks account nature