Quantifying the relationship linking the community?weighted means of plant traits and soil fertility

Is it possible to generalize relationships between certain plant traits and soil fertility? In particular, are there quantitative community-weighted mean (CWM) trait values of leaf dry-matter content (LDMC), specific area (SLA), height, Grime’s competitor-stress tolerator-ruderal (CSR) strategy scores the generalized fertility, FG (i.e., capacity a produce biomass when all nonsoil variables held constant) that generalizable across different species assemblages geographical areas? We assessed in 21 sites southern Quebec 7 France using previously published method based on structural equation modeling. then determined CWM LDMC, SLA, CSR obtain these traits. Using relationships, we independently tested generality trait–fertility data from French sites. The were nonlinear, but displayed expected qualitative trends as reported literature. S score LDMC decreased with increasing R SLA increased. more strongly correlated measures (r2 up 0.48) than other characteristics 0.17 for nitrogen flux). Importantly, FG–trait showed no significant deviations relationships. Further investigation is necessary confirm if same trend applies regions or ecosystems.