Seasonal variation in groundwater depth does not explain structure and diversity of tropical savannas

It has recently been proposed that seasonal fluctuations in groundwater depth drive spatial patterns of tree density and diversity in Neotropical savannas. Here I consider three major problems in the analysis that led to this conclusion, providing examples that demonstrate that groundwater levels do not constrain the establishment of woody communities and, therefore, cannot be used to explain patterns of tree density and diversity in savannas.