Tree species with conservative foliar nutrient status and strong phosphorus homeostasis are regionally abundant in subtropical forests

Foliar nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) status and their stoichiometric homeostasis are integral parts of the plant nutrient economy that determines success species in environments where N P limits growth. Despite growing evidence for higher predictability (HN) than (HP) on abundance temperate grasslands, no previous studies explicitly examined how foliar modulate relationships between distribution (regional abundance) woody plants, especially P-limited (sub)tropical ecosystems. We hypothesized with a conservative but HP (but not HN) would be regional abundant forest. measured (LNC) (LPC) contents 54 species, community composition soil across 94 forest plots Chinese subtropical forests. Then we evaluated species' levels to test our hypotheses. HN significantly increased decreasing LNC LPC. positively correlated minimum values both contents, only negatively associated maximum value content, indicating can occupy wider range P- N-based niche. Meanwhile, LPC, HP. However, structure equation model analysis showed decline yet HN. In contrast, enhanced decreased LPC via HP, rather directly Synthesis. This study provides empirical more stable terms homeostasis, different ways. Our results suggest maintaining strong leaf P, while N, is key physiochemical mechanism shaping