GIFT – A Global Inventory of Floras and Traits for macroecology and biogeography

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 47(1), P. 16 - 43

Published: June 9, 2019

Abstract Aim To understand how functional traits and evolutionary history shape the geographic distribution of plant life on Earth, we need to integrate high‐quality global‐scale data with phylogenetic information. Large‐scale for plants are, however, often restricted either certain taxonomic groups or regions. Range maps only exist a small subset all species digitally available point‐occurrence information is biased both geographically taxonomically. Floras checklists represent an alternative, yet rarely used potential source They contain highly curated about composition clearly defined area, together virtually cover entire global land surface. Here, report our recent efforts mobilize this macroecological biogeographical analyses in GIFT database, Global Inventory Traits. Location Global. Taxon Land (Embryophyta). Methods integrates distributions from regional traits, information, region‐level geographic, environmental socio‐economic data. It contains floristic status (native, endemic, alien naturalized) takes advantage wealth trait Floras, complemented by databases. Results 1.0 holds lists 2,893 regions across whole globe including ~315,000 taxonomically standardized names (i.e. c. 80% known species) ~3 million species‐by‐region occurrences. Based hierarchical taxonomical derivation scheme, 83 more than 2.3 trait‐by‐species combinations achieves unprecedented coverage categorical such as woodiness (~233,000 spp.) growth form (~213,000 spp.). Main conclusions present structure, content automated workflows corresponding web‐interface ( http://gift.uni-goettingen.de ) proof concept feasibility mobilizing aggregated biodiversity research.

Language: Английский

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Functional diversity effects on productivity increase with age in a forest biodiversity experiment

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 5(12), P. 1594 - 1603

Published: Nov. 4, 2021

Language: Английский

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Tree functional traits, forest biomass, and tree species diversity interact with site properties to drive forest soil carbon

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: March 1, 2022

Abstract Forests constitute important ecosystems in the global carbon cycle. However, how trees and environmental conditions interact to determine amount of organic stored forest soils is a hotly debated subject. In particular, tree species influence soil (SOC) remains unclear. Based on compilation data, we show that functional traits standing biomass explain half local variability SOC. The effects SOC depended climatic with strongest effect observed under boreal climate acidic, poor, coarse-textured soils. Mixing forests also favours storage SOC, provided over-yielding occurs mixed forests. We propose sink can be optimised by (i) increasing biomass, (ii) richness, (iii) choosing composition based according conditions.

Language: Английский

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Foliar functional traits from imaging spectroscopy across biomes in eastern North America

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 228(2), P. 494 - 511

Published: May 28, 2020

Summary Foliar functional traits are widely used to characterize leaf and canopy properties that drive ecosystem processes infer physiological in Earth system models. Imaging spectroscopy provides great potential map foliar continuous variation diversity, but few studies have demonstrated consistent methods for mapping multiple across biomes. With airborne imaging data field from 19 sites, we developed trait models using partial least squares regression, mapped 26 seven NEON (National Ecological Observatory Network) ecoregions (domains) including temperate subtropical forests grasslands of eastern North America. Model validation accuracy varied among (normalized root mean squared error, 9.1–19.4%; coefficient determination, 0.28–0.82), with phenolic concentration, mass per area equivalent water thickness performing best domains. Across all maps, 90% vegetated pixels had reasonable values one trait, 28–81% provided high confidence concurrently. Maps their uncertainties US sites available download, being expanded the western United States tundra/boreal zone. These enable better understanding variations relationships over large areas, calibration models, assessment continental‐scale diversity.

Language: Английский

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Global root traits (GRooT) database

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 30(1), P. 25 - 37

Published: Sept. 9, 2020

Abstract Motivation Trait data are fundamental to the quantitative description of plant form and function. Although root traits capture key dimensions related responses changing environmental conditions effects on ecosystem processes, they have rarely been included in large‐scale comparative studies global models. For instance, remain absent from nearly all that define spectrum Thus, overcome conceptual methodological roadblocks preventing a widespread integration trait into analyses we created Global Root (GRooT) Database. GRooT provides ready‐to‐use by combining expertise ecologists with mobilization curation. Specifically, (a) determined set core relevant function based an assessment experts, (b) maximized species coverage through standardization within among traits, (c) implemented quality checks. Main types variables contained contains 114,222 records 38 continuous traits. Spatial location grain arid, continental, polar, temperate tropical biomes. Data were derived experimental field studies. Time period recorded between 1911 2019. Major taxa level measurement includes for which taxonomic information is available. vary their resolution, subspecies or varieties being highest genera lowest resolution It 184 varieties, 6,214 species, 1,967 254 families. Owing variation sources, database include both individual observations mean values. Software format two csv files. A GitHub repository files script R query database.

Language: Английский

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Shifts in plant functional composition following long‐term drought in grasslands

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 107(5), P. 2133 - 2148

Published: Aug. 19, 2019

Abstract Plant traits can provide unique insights into plant performance at the community scale. Functional composition, defined by both functional diversity and community‐weighted trait means (CWMs), affect stability of above‐ground net primary production (ANPP) in response to climate extremes. Further complexity arises, however, when composition itself responds environmental change. The duration extremes, such as drought, is expected increase with rising global temperatures; thus, understanding impacts long‐term drought on corresponding effect that has ecosystem function could improve predictions sensitivity We experimentally reduced growing season precipitation 66% across six temperate grasslands for 4 years measured changes three indices (functional dispersion, richness evenness), phylogenetic (PD). Specific leaf area (SLA), nitrogen content (LNC) (at most sites) turgor loss point ( π TLP ) were species cumulatively representing ~90% cover each site. Long‐term led increased dispersion sites, negligible effects remaining sites. Species re‐ordering following mortality/senescence dominant was main driver dispersion. not consistently matched diversity. Community‐level strategies (assessed CWMs) largely shifted from tolerance avoidance and/or escape strategies, evidenced higher , SLA LNC. Lastly, (i.e. relative reduction ANPP plots) positively correlated negatively Synthesis. Increased may stabilize functioning future drought. However, shifts community‐scale sensitivity, depending nature timing Thus, our results highlight importance considering abundance‐weighted communities their collective either or enhance

Language: Английский

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The temperature sensitivity of soil: microbial biodiversity, growth, and carbon mineralization

The ISME Journal, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 15(9), P. 2738 - 2747

Published: March 29, 2021

Language: Английский

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Root traits explain plant species distributions along climatic gradients yet challenge the nature of ecological trade-offs

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 5(8), P. 1123 - 1134

Published: June 10, 2021

Language: Английский

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The dimensionality and structure of species trait spaces

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 24(9), P. 1988 - 2009

Published: May 20, 2021

Abstract Trait‐based ecology aims to understand the processes that generate overarching diversity of organismal traits and their influence on ecosystem functioning. Achieving this goal requires simplifying complexity in synthetic axes defining a trait space cluster species based while identifying those with unique combinations traits. However, so far, we know little about dimensionality, robustness omission structure these spaces. Here, propose unified framework synthesis across 30 datasets representing broad variety taxa, ecosystems spatial scales show common trade‐off between quality operationality appears three six dimensions. The is generally low but highly variable among datasets. We also highlight invariant scaling relationships, whatever complexity, number clusters, dominant total richness. When richness increases, saturates, whereas tend disproportionately pack richest cluster. Based results, some rules thumb build spaces estimate subsequent functional indices.

Language: Английский

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Global patterns of vascular plant alpha diversity

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Sept. 1, 2022

Global patterns of regional (gamma) plant diversity are relatively well known, but whether these hold for local communities, and the dependence on spatial grain, remain controversial. Using data 170,272 georeferenced assemblages, we created global maps alpha (local species richness) vascular plants at three different grains, forests non-forests. We show that is consistently high across grains in some regions (for example, Andean-Amazonian foothills), 'scaling anomalies' (deviations from positive correlation) exist elsewhere, particularly Eurasian temperate with disproportionally higher fine-grained richness many African tropical coarse-grained richness. The influence climatic, topographic biogeographical variables also varies grains. Our multi-grain return a nuanced understanding biodiversity complements classic hotspots will improve predictions change effects biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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