Environmental drivers and soil nutrients shape the ecological strategy of the early-flowering Mediterranean geophyte Crocus etruscus along a coast-inland gradient

Mediterranean forests are complex ecosystems shaped by human activity, with early-spring flowering geophytes playing a key role. This study focuses on Crocus etruscus, an earlyflowering geophyte endemic to central Italy. We investigated its ecological strategy in relation to surrounding deciduous forests and environmental factors across 12 sites along a coast-to-inland gradient. Vegetation surveys, and measurements of leaf traits (Leaf Area, Leaf Dry Matter Content, and Specific Leaf Area) were performed to estimate the Competitive-Stress tolerant-Ruderal strategies of both C. etruscus and forest communities. Statistical analyses revealed intraspecific trait variation in C. etruscus, though its CSR strategy remained consistent across populations. In contrast, the ecological strategies of forest communities showed great variability. Specifically, altitude, distance from the coast, pH, nitrogen content, and carbon nitrogen ratio significantly influenced the ecological strategies of both C. etruscus and plant communities. In conclusion, this study shows that C. etruscus can tolerate low levels of human disturbance (i.e., in chestnut woods) and stress factors, such as nutrient scarcity, limited water availability, and high temperatures (i.e., in oak woods). Nonetheless, the research underscores the importance of sustainable forest management to preserve this endemic species and support forest biodiversity and function.