The global spectrum of plant form and function

Nature, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 529(7585), P. 167 - 171

Published: Dec. 23, 2015

Language: Английский

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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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Plant functional traits and the multidimensional nature of species coexistence

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 112(3), P. 797 - 802

Published: Jan. 5, 2015

Understanding the processes maintaining species diversity is a central problem in ecology, with implications for conservation and management of ecosystems. Although biologists often assume that trait differences between competitors promote diversity, empirical evidence connecting functional traits to niche stabilize coexistence rare. Obtaining such critical because also underlie average fitness driving competitive exclusion, this complicates efforts infer community dynamics from phenotypic patterns. We coupled field-parameterized mathematical models competition 102 pairs annual plants detailed sampling leaf, seed, root, whole-plant relate stabilizing differences. Single were well correlated species, indicating dominance was associated late phenology, deep rooting, several other traits. In contrast, single poorly coexistence. Niche could only be described by combinations traits, corresponding differentiation multiple ecological dimensions. addition, both These complex relationships competing argue against simple use assembly but lay groundwork theoretically justified trait-based ecology.

Language: Английский

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Global climatic drivers of leaf size

Science, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 357(6354), P. 917 - 921

Published: Aug. 31, 2017

Leaf size varies by over a 100,000-fold among species worldwide. Although 19th-century plant geographers noted that the wet tropics harbor plants with exceptionally large leaves, latitudinal gradient of leaf has not been well quantified nor key climatic drivers convincingly identified. Here, we characterize worldwide patterns in size. Large-leaved predominate wet, hot, sunny environments; small-leaved typify environments only arid conditions; small leaves are also found high latitudes and elevations. By modeling balance energy inputs outputs, show daytime nighttime leaf-to-air temperature differences to geographic gradients This knowledge can enrich "next-generation" vegetation models which water use during photosynthesis play roles.

Language: Английский

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The emergence and promise of functional biogeography

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 111(38), P. 13690 - 13696

Published: Sept. 15, 2014

Understanding, modeling, and predicting the impact of global change on ecosystem functioning across biogeographical gradients can benefit from enhanced capacity to represent biota as a continuous distribution traits. However, this is challenge for field biogeography historically grounded species concept. Here we focus newly emergent functional biogeography: study geographic trait diversity organizational levels. We show how bridges species-based earth science provide ideas tools help explain in multifaceted (including species, functional, phylogenetic diversities), predict services worldwide, infuse regional conservation programs with basis. Although much recent progress has been made possible because rising multiple data streams, new developments ecoinformatics, methodological advances, future directions should theoretical comprehensive framework scaling biotic interactions trophic levels its ecological implications.

Language: Английский

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A global meta‐analysis of the relative extent of intraspecific trait variation in plant communities

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 18(12), P. 1406 - 1419

Published: Sept. 28, 2015

Abstract Recent studies have shown that accounting for intraspecific trait variation ( ITV ) may better address major questions in community ecology. However, a general picture of the relative extent compared to interspecific plant communities is still missing. Here, we conducted meta‐analysis within and among worldwide, using data set encompassing 629 (plots) 36 functional traits. Overall, accounted 25% total 32% on average. The tended be greater whole‐plant (e.g. height) vs. organ‐level traits leaf chemical N P concentration) morphological area thickness) amount decreased with increasing species richness spatial extent, but did not vary growth form or climate. These results highlight global patterns importance communities, providing practical guidelines when researchers should include trait‐based ecosystem studies.

Language: Английский

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Novel competitors shape species’ responses to climate change

Nature, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 525(7570), P. 515 - 518

Published: Sept. 1, 2015

Language: Английский

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Multiple facets of biodiversity drive the diversity–stability relationship

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 2(10), P. 1579 - 1587

Published: Aug. 16, 2018

Language: Английский

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Reinforcing loose foundation stones in trait-based plant ecology

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 180(4), P. 923 - 931

Published: Jan. 21, 2016

Language: Английский

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The intrinsic dimensionality of plant traits and its relevance to community assembly

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 102(1), P. 186 - 193

Published: Nov. 5, 2013

Summary Plants are multifaceted organisms that have evolved numerous solutions to the problem of establishing, growing and reproducing with limited resources. The intrinsic dimensionality plant traits is minimum number independent axes variation adequately describes functional among plants therefore a fundamental quantity in comparative ecology. Given large measured on plants, form function potentially vast. A variety linear nonlinear methods were used estimate three trait data sets. results these analyses indicate while generally larger than we admitted past, it does not exceed six most comprehensive set. blessing, curse. higher dimension an analysis, more easily our models will be able accurately discriminate species space predict distributions abundances. Recent ability community composition increases rapidly additional traits, but reaches plateau after four eight traits. Synthesis . There appears tractable upper limit To optimize research efficiency for advancing understanding trait‐based assembly, ecologists should minimize maximizing dimensions, because including multiple correlated yield dividends leads diminishing returns. It recommended measure from organs whenever possible, especially leaf, stem, root flowering given their consistent performance explaining assembly across different ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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