A comparison of arsenic accumulation and tolerance among four populations of Pteris vittata from habitats with a gradient of arsenic concentration

► As accumulation and As tolerance of P. vittata were considered to be two independent processes. ► P. vittata from low-As habitats exhibited higher As accumulation than that from high-As habitats. ► As transporters on P. vittata root contribute to the intraspecific difference in As accumulation. ► P. vittata populations with strong As tolerance adopted an avoidance strategy.