A distance‐based framework for measuring functional diversity from multiple traits

Ecology, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 91(1), P. 299 - 305

Published: Jan. 1, 2010

A new framework for measuring functional diversity (FD) from multiple traits has recently been proposed. This was mostly limited to quantitative without missing values and situations in which there are more species than traits, although the authors had suggested a way extend their other trait types. The main purpose of this note is further develop suggestion. We describe highly flexible distance‐based measure different facets FD multidimensional space any distance or dissimilarity measure, number types (i.e., quantitative, semi‐quantitative, qualitative). approach allows weighting individual traits. also present index, called dispersion (FDis), closely related Rao's quadratic entropy. FDis multivariate analogue weighted mean absolute deviation (MAD), weights relative abundances. For unweighted presence–absence data, can be used formal statistical test differences FD. provide “FD” R language package easily implement our framework.

Language: Английский

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New handbook for standardised measurement of plant functional traits worldwide

Australian Journal of Botany, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 61(3), P. 167 - 167

Published: Jan. 1, 2013

Plant functional traits are the features (morphological, physiological, phenological) that represent ecological strategies and determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels influence ecosystem properties. Variation in plant traits, trait syndromes, has proven useful for tackling many important questions at a range of scales, giving rise demand standardised ways measure ecologically meaningful traits. This line research been among most fruitful avenues understanding evolutionary patterns processes. It also potential both build predictive set local, regional global relationships between environment quantify wide natural human-driven processes, including changes biodiversity, impacts species invasions, alterations biogeochemical processes vegetation–atmosphere interactions. The importance these topics dictates urgent need more better data, increases value protocols quantifying variation different species, particular with power predict plant- ecosystem-level can be measured relatively easily. Updated expanded from widely used previous version, this handbook retains focus on clearly presented, applicable, step-by-step recipes, minimum text theory, not only includes updated methods previously covered, but introduces new further balance whole-plant leaf root stem regenerative puts emphasis predicting species’ effects key We hope becomes standard companion local efforts learn about responses respect present, past future.

Language: Английский

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Causes and consequences of variation in leaf mass per area (LMA): a meta‐analysis

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 182(3), P. 565 - 588

Published: April 16, 2009

Summary Here, we analysed a wide range of literature data on the leaf dry mass per unit area (LMA). In nature, LMA varies more than 100‐fold among species. Part this variation ( c . 35%) can be ascribed to differences between functional groups, with evergreen species having highest LMA, but most is within groups or biomes. When grown in same controlled environment, succulents and woody evergreen, perennial slow‐growing have inherently high LMA. Within studied, high‐LMA show higher tissue densities. However, deciduous result from larger volumes (thickness). Response curves constructed experiments under conditions showed that varied strongly light, temperature submergence, moderately CO 2 concentration nutrient water stress, marginally other conditions. Functional differed plasticity these gradients. The physiological regulation still unclear, consequences suite traits interconnected it are strong. This trait complex an important factor determining fitness their environment affects various ecosystem processes. Contents 565 I. perspective 566 II. field 567 III. Inherent 568 IV. Relation anatomy chemical composition 570 V. Environmental effects 572 VI. Differences space time 577 VII. Molecular physiology 579 VIII. Ecological 580 IX. Conclusions perspectives 582 Acknowledgements References Appendices 587

Language: Английский

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TRY – a global database of plant traits

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 17(9), P. 2905 - 2935

Published: April 26, 2011

Abstract Plant traits – the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants their organs determine how primary producers respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, influence ecosystem processes services provide a link from species richness functional diversity. Trait data thus represent raw material for wide range research evolutionary biology, community ecology biogeography. Here we present global database initiative named TRY, which has united plant trait worldwide gained an unprecedented buy‐in data: so far 93 databases have been contributed. The repository currently contains almost three million entries 69 000 out world's 300 species, with focus on 52 groups characterizing vegetative regeneration stages life cycle, including growth, dispersal, establishment persistence. A first analysis shows that most are approximately log‐normally distributed, widely differing ranges variation across traits. Most is between (interspecific), but significant intraspecific also documented, up 40% overall variation. types (PFTs), as commonly used in vegetation models, capture substantial fraction observed several occurs within PFTs, 75% In context models these would better be represented by state variables rather than fixed parameter values. improved availability unified expected support paradigm shift trait‐based ecology, offer new opportunities synthetic enable more realistic empirically grounded representation terrestrial Earth system models.

Language: Английский

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Assessing the generality of global leaf trait relationships

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2005, Volume and Issue: 166(2), P. 485 - 496

Published: Feb. 3, 2005

• Global-scale quantification of relationships between plant traits gives insight into the evolution world's vegetation, and is crucial for parameterizing vegetation–climate models. A database was compiled, comprising data hundreds to thousands species core 'leaf economics' leaf lifespan, mass per area, photosynthetic capacity, dark respiration, nitrogen phosphorus concentrations, as well potassium, N-use efficiency (PNUE), N : P ratio. While mean trait values differed functional types, range found within groups often larger than differences among them. Future models could incorporate this knowledge. The were intercorrelated, both globally forming a economics spectrum'. these are very general, they not universal, significant heterogeneity exists fitted individual sites. Much, but all, can be explained by variation in sample size alone. PNUE also considered part spectrum, whereas K ratios only loosely related.

Language: Английский

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Plant phenotypic plasticity in a changing climate

Trends in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 15(12), P. 684 - 692

Published: Oct. 22, 2010

Language: Английский

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The return of the variance: intraspecific variability in community ecology

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 27(4), P. 244 - 252

Published: Jan. 14, 2012

Language: Английский

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The LEDA Traitbase: a database of life‐history traits of the Northwest European flora

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2008, Volume and Issue: 96(6), P. 1266 - 1274

Published: Aug. 27, 2008

1 An international group of scientists has built an open internet data base life-history traits the Northwest European flora (the LEDA-Traitbase) that can be used as a source for fundamental research on plant biodiversity and coexistence, macro-ecological patterns functional responses. 2 The species-trait matrix comprises referenced information under control editorial board, ca. 3000 species flora, combining existing additional measurements. currently contains 26 describe three key features dynamics: persistence, regeneration dispersal. LEDA-Traitbase is freely available at http://www.leda-traitbase.org. 3 We present structure overview trait available. 4 Synthesis. LEDA Traitbase useful large-scale analyses responses communities to environmental change, effects community composition ecosystem properties rarity invasiveness, well linkages between expressions trade-offs in plants.

Language: Английский

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Incorporating plant functional diversity effects in ecosystem service assessments

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2007, Volume and Issue: 104(52), P. 20684 - 20689

Published: Dec. 20, 2007

Global environmental change affects the sustained provision of a wide set ecosystem services. Although delivery services is strongly affected by abiotic drivers and direct land use effects, it also modulated functional diversity biological communities (the value, range, relative abundance traits in given ecosystem). The focus this article on integrating different possible mechanisms which properties that are directly relevant to We propose systematic way for progressing understanding how cover these through modifications. Models links between local mean, distribution plant trait values numerous, but they have been scattered literature, with varying degrees empirical support components analyzed. Here we articulate single conceptual methodological framework allows testing them combination. illustrate our approach examples from literature apply proposed grassland system central French Alps diversity, responding change, alters important stakeholders. claim contributes opening new area research at interface science fundamental ecology.

Language: Английский

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The plant traits that drive ecosystems: Evidence from three continents

Journal of Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2004, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 295 - 304

Published: Feb. 24, 2004

Abstract Question: A set of easily‐measured (‘soft’) plant traits has been identified as potentially useful predictors ecosystem functioning in previous studies. Here we aimed to discover whether the screening techniques remain operational widely contrasted circumstances, test for existence axes variation particular sets traits, and their links with ‘harder’ proven importance functioning. Location: central‐western Argentina, central England, northern upland Iran, north‐eastern Spain. Recurrent patterns ecological specialization: Through ordination a matrix 640 vascular taxa by 12 standardized detected similar specialization four floras. The first PCA axis was an resource capture, usage release. 2 appeared be size‐related axis. Individual each country showed that same remained valuable capture utilization all them, despite major differences climate, biogeography land‐use. results were not significantly driven taxa: main determining 1 very eudicotyledons monocotyledons Asteraceae, Fabaceae Poaceae. Links between recurrent suites ‘soft’ ‘hard’ traits: validity key predictor tested comparisons this values more rigorously established (‘hard’ traits) floras Argentina England. correlated relative growth rate, leaf nitrogen content, litter decomposition rate. It also coincided palatability model generalist herbivores. Therefore, location on can linked processes those habitats where plants are dominant. Conclusion: We confirm at global scale evolutionary specialization, previously recognised several local This reflects fundamental trade‐off rapid acquisition resources conservation within well‐protected tissues. These trends maintained across different environmental situations (including proximate causes low productivity, i.e. drought or mineral nutrient deficiency). consistent phylogenetic groups, directly relevant processes.

Language: Английский

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