The least-cost economic theory of photosynthesis shows that water and nitrogen are mutually substitutable resources to achieve a given carbon gain. However, vegetation in the Sahel has to cope with the dual challenge imposed by drought and nutrient-poor soils. We addressed how variation in leaf nitrogen per area (Narea ) modulates leaf oxygen and carbon isotopic composition (δ18 O, δ13 C), as proxies of stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, across 34 Sahelian woody species. Dryland species exhibited diverging leaf δ18 O and δ13 C values, indicating large interspecific variation in time-integrated stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency. Structural equation modeling revealed that leaf Narea is a pivotal trait linked to multiple water-use traits. Leaf Narea was positively linked to both δ18 O and δ13 C, suggesting higher carboxylation capacity and tighter stomatal regulation of transpiration in N-rich species, which allows them to achieve higher water-use efficiency and more conservative water use. These adaptations represent a key physiological advantage of N-rich species, such as legumes, that could contribute to their dominance across many dryland regions. This is the first report of a robust mechanistic link between leaf Narea and δ18 O in dryland vegetation that is consistent with core principles of plant physiology.
Keywords: Sahel; arid ecosystems; ci/ca ratio; leaf δ13C; leaf δ18O; plant isotopic composition; plant water-use strategies; stomatal conductance.
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