Leaf stable isotopes suggest shared ancestry is an important driver of functional diversity.

Abstract

Plant physiological strategies of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) uptake and metabolism are often regarded as outcomes of environmental selection. This is likely true, but the role of evolutionary history may also be important in shaping patterns of functional diversity. Here, we used leaf C and N stable isotope ratios (δ13C, δ15N) as integrators of physiological processes to assess the relative roles of phylogenetic history and environment in a diverse group of Ericaceae species native to North America. We found strong phylogenetic signal in both leaf δ13C and δ15N, suggesting that close relatives have similar physiological strategies. The signal of phylogeny was generally stronger than that of the local environment. However, within some specialized environments (e.g., wetlands, sandy soils), we found environmental effects and/or niche conservatism. Phylogenetic signal in δ13C appears to be most closely related to the constraints on metabolic demand and supply of C, and δ15N appears to be most strongly related to mycorrhizal associations within the family.