Table 1. Traits measured for each species in the tropical moist forest (Montes Azules), and the tropical dry forest (Chamela), Mexico.

Group	Trait		Formula	Function	Units
Leaf axis	SLA	Specific leaf area	Leaf area/leaf dry weight	Growth rate, photosynthetic rate. Efficiency in resource acquisition.	cm2 g−1
	MPU	Minimum photosynthetic unit	Leaf area if entire or leaflet area if compound	Leaf cooling	cm2
	LTh	Leaf thickness		Water storage capacity	mm
	LWC	Leaf water content	(Wet weight- dry weight)/dry weight	Water status	g g−1
Stem axis	WD	Wood density	Dry weight/wet volume	If low density, water storage, if high density, resistance against mechanical and herbivore damage	g cm−3
	SWC	Stem water content	(Wet weight- dry weight)/dry weight	Water storage capacity	g g−1
Root axis	SRL	Specific root length	Length of the roots/dry weight	Efficiency in resource acquisition.	m g−1
	MRD	Maximum root depth		Deeper roots have access to a more stable soil water content	cm
	RTh	Root thickness	Average root diameter	Resources storage	cm
	RD	Root density	Dry weight/wet volume	Toughness, carbohydrates storage	g cm−3