Invasive tree species benefit from ecohydrological niche segregation and deeper soil water uptake in a Mediterranean riparian forest

Aridification due to climate change and water table lowering due to human management are intensifying the environmental filter of summer aridity for Mediterranean riparian forests. This may represent an opportunity for the entry of non-native (NNT) species which might be pre-adapted to these new conditions, thus favoring their invasive potential. Differences in water uptake depth by coexisting native (NT) and NNT tree species could be one of the reasons why some of the latter species might become successful invaders in riparian ecosystems. To test whether spatial ecohydrological niche segregation occurs during dry summers, we analyzed stable water isotopes from different sources in a riparian ecosystem of central Spain. Xylem water S18O was analyzed in 6 NT and 6 NNT (2 of them invasive) coexisting tree species. We used Bayesian isotope mixing models to estimate the proportion of water from different depths used by trees. We also tested the relationship between the S18O from xylem water and leaf S13C to test if species with deeper access to water have lower intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE). We found no segregation between NT and NNT species in water uptake depth, but a species-specific vertical partitioning of water resources, with both invasive species extracting more water from the deepest soil layers. NNT species had higher leaf S13C. A negative relationship between xylem water S18O and leaf S13C was found at interspecific level, indicating that species with greater access to deep water are also those bearing higher iWUE. Our results indicate a pronounced niche partitioning promoting species coexistence. The ability of invasive species to tap into deeper water layers combined with higher iWUE led to a competition-avoidance strategy together with a water stress-avoidance strategy. Deeper water uptake and greater iWUE could be important driving the success of tree species in Mediterranean floodplains under drier conditions.