TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 26(1), P. 119 - 188

Published: Dec. 31, 2019

Abstract Plant traits—the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants—determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, influence ecosystem properties their benefits detriments people. trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area research spanning from evolutionary biology, community functional ecology, biodiversity conservation, landscape management, restoration, biogeography earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, TRY database plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented coverage under an open access policy is main used by worldwide. Increasingly, also supports new frontiers trait‐based research, including identification gaps subsequent mobilization or measurement data. To support this development, article we evaluate extent compiled analyse emerging patterns representativeness. Best species achieved categorical traits—almost complete ‘plant growth form’. However, most relevant ecology vegetation modelling are characterized continuous intraspecific variation trait–environmental relationships. These have be measured on individual respective environment. Despite coverage, observe humbling lack completeness representativeness these many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing biases remains key challenge requires coordinated approach measurements. This can only collaboration with initiatives.

Language: Английский

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An integrated framework of plant form and function: the belowground perspective

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 232(1), P. 42 - 59

Published: July 2, 2021

Summary Plant trait variation drives plant function, community composition and ecosystem processes. However, our current understanding of disproportionately relies on aboveground observations. Here we integrate root traits into the global framework form function. We developed tested an overarching conceptual that integrates two recently identified gradients with a well‐established framework. confronted novel published relationships between above‐ belowground analogues multivariate analyses 2510 species. Our represent leaf conservation (specific area, nitrogen concentration, tissue density), collaboration gradient (root diameter specific length) size (plant height rooting depth). found integrated, whole‐plant space required as much four axes. The main axes represented fast–slow ‘conservation’ which fine‐root were well aligned, ‘collaboration’ in roots. additional separate, orthogonal for depth. This perspective multidimensional nature better encompasses function influence surrounding environment.

Language: Английский

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sPlot – A new tool for global vegetation analyses

Journal of Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 30(2), P. 161 - 186

Published: Feb. 5, 2019

Abstract Aims Vegetation‐plot records provide information on the presence and cover or abundance of plants co‐occurring in same community. data are spread across research groups, environmental agencies biodiversity centers and, thus, rarely accessible at continental global scales. Here we present sPlot database, which collates vegetation plots worldwide to allow for exploration patterns taxonomic, functional phylogenetic diversity plant community level. Results version 2.1 contains from 1,121,244 plots, comprise 23,586,216 species their relative collected between 1885 2015. We complemented each plot by retrieving climate soil conditions biogeographic context (e.g., biomes) external sources, calculating community‐weighted means variances traits using gap‐filled trait database TRY. Moreover, created a tree 50,167 out 54,519 identified plots. first maps richness key traits. Conclusions The availability offers new avenues analysis scale.

Language: Английский

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A theory of pulse dynamics and disturbance in ecology

Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 100(7)

Published: April 24, 2019

We propose four postulates as the minimum set of logical propositions necessary for a theory pulse dynamics and disturbance in ecosystems: (1) resource characterizes magnitude, rate, duration change caused by events, including continuing changes resources that are result abiotic biotic processes; (2) energy flux flow controls variation rates assimilation across ecosystems; (3) patch distribution patches over space time, resulting patterns diversity, ecosystem structure, cross-scale feedbacks pulses (4) trait diversity evolutionary responses to and, turn, way affects during after events. apply an important class biomass-altering disturbances, derive seven generalizations predict trajectory, rate change, probability, diversification at scales, ecological functional resilience. Ultimately, must define variable combinations dynamic stability, comprising resistance, recovery, adaptation.

Language: Английский

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Climatic and soil factors explain the two-dimensional spectrum of global plant trait variation

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 36 - 50

Published: Dec. 23, 2021

Abstract Plant functional traits can predict community assembly and ecosystem functioning are thus widely used in global models of vegetation dynamics land–climate feedbacks. Still, we lack a understanding how land climate affect plant traits. A previous analysis six observed two main axes variation: (1) size variation at the organ level (2) leaf economics balancing persistence against growth potential. The orthogonality these suggests they differently influenced by environmental drivers. We find that persist dataset 17 across more than 20,000 species. dominant joint effect soil on trait variation. Additional independent effects also most traits, whereas almost exclusively for Variation correlates well with latitudinal gradient related to water or energy limitation. In contrast, is better explained interactions fertility. These findings have potential improve our biodiversity patterns predictions change impacts biogeochemical cycles.

Language: Английский

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Global maps of soil temperature

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 28(9), P. 3110 - 3144

Published: Dec. 30, 2021

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide maps soil bioclimatic variables a 1-km2 resolution for 0-5 5-15 cm depth. were created by calculating difference (i.e. offset) between situ measurements, based time series over 1200 pixels (summarized 8519 unique sensors) across all world's major biomes, coarse-grained ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis European Centre Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual differs markedly corresponding gridded temperature, up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation biomes seasons. Over year, soils cold and/or dry are substantially warmer (+3.6 2.3°C) than whereas warm humid environments average slightly cooler (-0.7 2.3°C). The observed biome-specific offsets emphasize projected impacts climate near-surface biodiversity functioning inaccurately assessed when rather is used, especially environments. soil-related provided here an important step forward any application related disciplines. Nevertheless, highlight need fill remaining geographic gaps collecting more measurements microclimate further enhance spatiotemporal products ecological applications.

Language: Английский

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Concepts and applications in functional diversity

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 35(9), P. 1869 - 1885

Published: July 16, 2021

Abstract The use of functional diversity analyses in ecology has grown exponentially over the past two decades, broadening our understanding biological and its change across space time. Virtually all ecological sub‐disciplines recognise critical value looking at species communities from a perspective, this led to proliferation methods for estimating contrasting dimensions diversity. Differences between these their development generated terminological inconsistencies confusion about selection most appropriate approach addressing any particular question, hampering potential comparative studies, simulation exercises meta‐analyses. Two general mathematical frameworks are prevailing: those based on dissimilarity matrices (e.g. Rao entropy, dendrograms) relying multidimensional spaces, constructed as either convex hulls or probabilistic hypervolumes. We review frameworks, discuss strengths weaknesses provide an overview main R packages performing calculations. In parallel, we propose way organising metrics unified scheme quantify richness, divergence regularity individuals under each framework. This offers roadmap confidently approaching both theoretically practically. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within Supporting Information article.

Language: Английский

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The three major axes of terrestrial ecosystem function

Nature, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 598(7881), P. 468 - 472

Published: Sept. 22, 2021

Abstract The leaf economics spectrum 1,2 and the global of plant forms functions 3 revealed fundamental axes variation in traits, which represent different ecological strategies that are shaped by evolutionary development species 2 . Ecosystem depend on environmental conditions traits comprise communities 4 However, ecosystem largely unknown, limits our understanding how ecosystems respond as a whole to anthropogenic drivers, climate variability 4,5 Here we derive set 6 from dataset surface gas exchange measurements across major terrestrial biomes. We find most within (71.8%) is captured three key axes. first axis reflects maximum productivity mostly explained vegetation structure. second water-use jointly height climate. third axis, represents carbon-use efficiency, features gradient related aridity, primarily show two state-of-the-art land models reproduce important functions. tend simulate more strongly correlated than those observed, their ability accurately predict full range responses changes carbon, water energy cycling 7,8

Language: Английский

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SoilTemp: A global database of near‐surface temperature

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 26(11), P. 6616 - 6629

Published: April 20, 2020

Abstract Current analyses and predictions of spatially explicit patterns processes in ecology most often rely on climate data interpolated from standardized weather stations. This represents long‐term average thermal conditions at coarse spatial resolutions only. Hence, many climate‐forcing factors that operate fine spatiotemporal are overlooked. is particularly important relation to effects observation height (e.g. vegetation, snow soil characteristics) habitats varying their exposure radiation, moisture wind topography, radiative forcing or cold‐air pooling). Since organisms living close the ground relate more strongly these microclimatic than free‐air temperatures, near‐surface needed provide realistic forecasts fate such under anthropogenic change, as well functioning ecosystems they live in. To fill this critical gap, we highlight a call for temperature time series submissions SoilTemp, geospatial database initiative compiling all over world. Currently, contains 7,538 sensors 51 countries across key biomes. The will pave way toward an improved global understanding microclimate bridge gap between available relevant ecosystem processes.

Language: Английский

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Plant Trait Networks: Improved Resolution of the Dimensionality of Adaptation

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 35(10), P. 908 - 918

Published: June 25, 2020

Functional traits are frequently used to evaluate plant adaptation across environments. Yet, tend have multiple functions and interactions, which cannot be accounted for in traditional correlation analyses. Plant trait networks (PTNs) clarify complex relationships among traits, enable the calculation of metrics topology coordination importance given PTNs, how they shift communities. Recent studies PTNs provide new insights into some important topics, including dimensionality, spectra (including leaf economic spectrum), stoichiometric principles, variation phenotypic integration along gradients resource availability. improved resolution dimensions scales responses shifting resources, disturbance regimes, global change.

Language: Английский

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