Key message Soil pH, EC, and salinity explain the leaf nutrient concentrations ofProsopis pallidadespite the high amount of soil nutrients near the trees. Dryland forests constantly face extreme abiotic conditions, and this affects plant growth and nutrition. We have determined the effects of soil chemical attributes and soil nutrients on the leaf nutrient concentrations of eightProsopis pallidapopulations located along a climatic gradient in the North-Peruvian dryland forests. We analyzed the leaf chemical composition (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn), as well as soil chemical attributes [texture, pH, salinity (electrical conductivity; EC), and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR)] and soil nutrient concentrations (the same elements as in the leaves) at 2 m from the base of each tree. The soil and leaf nutrient concentrations were not associated with the climatic gradient and were high...