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Xerophilic subshrubs exhibit multiple functional types and frequently show hydrological niche segregation. In the poorly studied Irano-Turanian gypsum deserts, knowledge of the ecohydrological strategies of different plant species is essential to understand community complexity in these vulnerable ecosystems. We studied the ecohydrological strategies of five co-existing subshrub members of Caryophyllales, ascertaining if their rooting architecture, gypsum affinity or photosynthetic pathway determined their water uptake, and if gypsum crystallisation water could be a relevant water source for plants in different seasons. We conducted soil and xylem sampling for isotope analyses in spring and summer and extracted water by cryogenic vacuum distillation. Oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions were determined and compared with visual representation and Bayesian Mixing Models to determine species ecohydrological strategies. Species – season interactions were related to differences in xylem sap isotopic composition. Three basic strategies relying on contrasting the use of free topsoil moisture and deep soil water could be detected and were in part explained by rooting architecture. Plant gypsum affinity and photosynthetic pathways did not have a significant effect on the water sources used by the plants. Ecohydrological niche segregation was explained partly by rooting architecture and species-specific traits. Gypsum crystallisation water was not used in summer by the studied species.

Ecohydrological niche segregation among desert shrubs in a gypsum-calcareous formation, north-western Iran