Let the concept of trait be functional!

Oikos, Journal Year: 2007, Volume and Issue: 116(5), P. 882 - 892

Published: May 1, 2007

In its simplest definition, a trait is surrogate of organismal performance, and this meaning the term has been used by evolutionists for long time. Over last three decades, developments in community ecosystem ecology have forced concept beyond these original boundaries, trait‐based approaches are now widely studies ranging from level organisms to that ecosystems. Despite some attempts fix terminology, especially plant ecology, there currently high degree confusion use, not only “trait” itself, but also underlying concepts it refers to. We therefore give an unambiguous definition trait, with particular emphasis on functional trait. A hierarchical perspective proposed, extending “performance paradigm” ecology. “Functional traits” defined as morpho‐physio‐phenological traits which impact fitness indirectly via their effects growth, reproduction survival, components individual performance. finally present integrative framework explaining how changes values due environmental variations translated into may influence processes at higher organizational levels. argue can be achieved developing “integration functions” grouped response (community level) effect (ecosystem algorithms.

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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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 – 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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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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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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Towards an assessment of multiple ecosystem processes and services via functional traits

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 19(10), P. 2873 - 2893

Published: April 9, 2010

Language: Английский

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Assessing functional diversity in the field – methodology matters!

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2007, Volume and Issue: 22(1), P. 134 - 147

Published: Nov. 22, 2007

1 Interpreting the functional diversity of vegetation is important in unravelling relationship between environmental change, community composition and ecosystem processes. Functional range distribution trait values a community. It can be described, among other indicators, by community-level weighted means (CWM) divergence. Standard methods exist for measurements but not assessments CWM divergence field. No research has addressed effects different estimating relative abundances, nor need to estimate traits at individual, population or species level, whether could used that bypass taxonomy all together. 2 This study reviews evaluates plot-level assessment herbaceous vegetation. We asked: (i) Should objective influence method abundance? (ii) What are strengths limitations intensive vs. 'rapid' approaches, when should either applied? (iii) Are taxon-free robust comparison taxon-explicit measurement? Under what circumstances might they 3 Our review published studies have measured field showed choice metric generally taken into account link functions interest, cover been most widely used, regardless purpose. 4 compared quantitatively subalpine grasslands three quantification abundances plus one method. found that: data base were across years diverse set dominant species; little sensitivity abundances; this also depends on traits, example, seed mass results less stable than leaf heights; estimates obtained from visual ranks biomass using dry-weight ranking (BOTANAL), whereas was more sensitive method; (iv) treated with caution performed particularly poorly 5 conclude methodology affect diversity. Although care interpretation results, rapid often offer promising avenues sampling larger areas and/or repeated measures.

Language: Английский

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Plant functional traits have globally consistent effects on competition

Nature, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 529(7585), P. 204 - 207

Published: Dec. 23, 2015

Language: Английский

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