News in Brief Earth Nutrients matter in tropical forests Soil phosphorus levels drive tree species’ different growth patterns By Meghan Rosen February 25, 2013 at 3:58 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Don’t blame a lack of rain: A tropical forest of dry, bare-branched trees might be that way because of soil chock full of phosphorus. In Panama’s dry season, leafy woodlands stand starkly next to forests of naked trees.