Physical, rather than chemical soil properties influence tree community structure and functional composition in forests and savannas

Our findings demonstrate that edaphic gradients influence woody plant abundance and functional composition in forests and savannas, especially in the former, where species in less acidic and clayish soils tend to adopt acquisitive strategies, whereas those in acidic and sandy soils are conservative. Importantly, physical soil properties, rather than chemical, were the primary drivers of tree community structure and functional composition across vegetation types.