Animal functional traits: Towards a trait‐based ecology for whole ecosystems DOI Open Access
Matthias Schleuning, Daniel Garcı́a, Joseph A. Tobias

et al.

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 37(1), P. 4 - 12

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Abstract Functional traits and associated trait‐based concepts have driven rapid innovation in ecology over recent years, with most progress based on insights from plants. However, plants are almost entirely restricted to a single trophic level, an over‐reliance plant therefore neglects the complexity importance of biotic interactions across levels. The need expand focus account for has led upsurge attention animal functional emergence new relevant community ecology, macroecology ecosystem science. Recent compilation global trait datasets some taxa opened up possibilities testing ecological theory. In this Special Focus, we explore how can scope investigation multiple levels, these investigations be used upscale understanding local communities biogeographical patterns ultimately help predict impacts change functions. To address key questions, showcase studies diverse ranging size springtails crocodiles spanning levels primary consumers apex predators. This collection shows precise measurements morphological or physiological increase mechanistic assembly particularly mechanisms underpinning large‐scale biodiversity patterns. Furthermore, clearer picture is emerging systematic responses environmental that shape composition affect functioning. articles volume highlight move beyond limits taxonomic boundaries. integration data opens identifying general processes operating at different scales. identification their interplay underpin development whole ecosystems, which could eventually enable predictions ecosystem‐level consequences loss. Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

The superior effect of nature based solutions in land management for enhancing ecosystem services DOI
Saskia Keesstra, João Pedro Nunes, Agata Novara

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 610-611, P. 997 - 1009

Published: Aug. 20, 2017

Language: Английский

Citations

909
Revisiting the Holy Grail: using plant functional traits to understand ecological processes DOI
Jennifer L. Funk, Julie E. Larson, Gregory M. Ames

et al.

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 92(2), P. 1156 - 1173

Published: April 22, 2016

ABSTRACT One of ecology's grand challenges is developing general rules to explain and predict highly complex systems. Understanding predicting ecological processes from species' traits has been considered a ‘ H oly G rail’ in ecology. Plant functional are increasingly being used develop mechanistic models that can how communities will respond abiotic biotic perturbations species affect ecosystem function services rapidly changing world; however, significant remain. In this review, we highlight recent work outstanding questions three areas: ( i ) selecting relevant traits; ii describing intraspecific trait variation incorporating into models; iii scaling data community‐ ecosystem‐level processes. Over the past decade, there have advances characterization plant strategies based on relationships, integration multivariate indices community function. However, utility trait‐based approaches ecology benefit efforts demonstrate these influence organismal, community, across vegetation types, which may be achieved through meta‐analysis enhancement databases. Additionally, interactions need incorporated predictive using tools such as Bayesian hierarchical modelling. Finally, existing linking empirically tested for their applicability realized.

Language: Английский

Citations

722
Should Environmental Filtering be Abandoned? DOI
Marc W. Cadotte, Caroline M. Tucker

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 32(6), P. 429 - 437

Published: March 29, 2017

Language: Английский

Citations

642
Advances in restoration ecology: rising to the challenges of the coming decades DOI Creative Commons
Michael P. Perring, Rachel J. Standish, Jodi N. Price

et al.

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 6(8), P. 1 - 25

Published: Aug. 1, 2015

Simultaneous environmental changes challenge biodiversity persistence and human wellbeing. The science practice of restoration ecology, in collaboration with other disciplines, can contribute to overcoming these challenges. This endeavor requires a solid conceptual foundation based empirical research which confronts, tests influences theoretical developments. We review developments ecology over the last 30 years. frame our context changing goals reflect increased societal awareness scale degradation recognition that inter‐disciplinary approaches are needed tackle problems. Restoration now encompasses facilitative interactions network dynamics, trophic cascades, above‐ belowground linkages. It operates non‐equilibrium, alternative states framework, at landscape scale, response environmental, economic social conditions. Progress has been marked by advances fields trait‐environment relationships, community assembly, understanding links between ecosystem functioning. Conceptual practical have enhanced applying evolving technologies, including treatments increase seed germination overcome recruitment bottlenecks, high throughput DNA sequencing elucidate soil structure function, satellite technology GPS tracking monitor habitat use. synthesis technologies systematic reviews dependencies success, model analyses consideration complex socio‐ecological systems will allow generalizations inform evidence interventions. Ongoing challenges include setting realistic, socially acceptable for under conditions, prioritizing actions an increasingly space‐competitive world. Ethical questions also surround use genetically modified material, translocations, taxon substitutions, de‐extinction, ecology. Addressing issues, as Ecological Society America looks its next century, require current future generations researchers practitioners, economists, engineers, philosophers, architects, scientists ecologists, work together communities governments rise coming decades.

Language: Английский

Citations

476
Biodiversity and ecosystem services in forest ecosystems: a research agenda for applied forest ecology DOI Creative Commons
Akira Mori,

Kenneth P. Lertzman,

Lena Gustafsson

et al.

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 54(1), P. 12 - 27

Published: May 9, 2016

Summary Given the substantial contributions of forest biodiversity and ecosystem services to society, sciences have a large potential contribute integrity sustainability our future. This is especially true when roles for sustaining are considered. The rapid expansion sustainable management ( SFM ) has resulted in adoption various frameworks intended safeguard biodiversity. Concurrently, importance been increasingly recognized. Although some initiatives aimed at conserving both emerging, knowledge gaps still exist about their relationships trade‐offs forests. recent advancements, increasing opportunities lags ecology, further research on biodiversity, functions will play development practices. Here, we identified key issues including (i) between function as foundation ecological integrity, (ii) resilience thinking better prepare adapt environmental changes, (iii) social–ecological perspectives that facilitate real‐world conservation (iv) theory‐driven restoration bridges science practice. Thus, illustrate priorities future possibilities applied ecology studies forests, which help society ecosystems build capacity face uncertainty changing environment. Synthesis applications . Under human influences, forests highly likely be largely altered, potentially leading emergence novel or alternative stable states. Management thus needs more flexible, measures address significant this generates. Resilience‐based approaches important respond adaptively changes cope with surprises, providing multiple options. challenges exist, theory should an role managing, restoring ecosystems. discussed here receive attention context goals management.

Language: Английский

Citations

459
Functional Rarity: The Ecology of Outliers DOI
Cyrille Violle, Wilfried Thuiller, Nicolas Mouquet

et al.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 32(5), P. 356 - 367

Published: April 4, 2017

Language: Английский

Citations

383
Traits Without Borders: Integrating Functional Diversity Across Scales DOI
Carlos P. Carmona, Francesco de Bello, Norman W. H. Mason

et al.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 31(5), P. 382 - 394

Published: April 25, 2016

Language: Английский

Citations

377
Restoration, Reintroduction, and Rewilding in a Changing World DOI
Richard T. Corlett

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 31(6), P. 453 - 462

Published: March 14, 2016

Language: Английский

Citations

374
Functional traits in agriculture: agrobiodiversity and ecosystem services DOI
Stephen A. Wood, Daniel S. Karp, Fabrice DeClerck

et al.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 30(9), P. 531 - 539

Published: July 17, 2015

Language: Английский

Citations

361
Functional traits explain ecosystem function through opposing mechanisms DOI
Marc W. Cadotte

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 20(8), P. 989 - 996

Published: June 22, 2017

Abstract The ability to explain why multispecies assemblages produce greater biomass compared monocultures, has been a central goal in the quest understand biodiversity effects on ecosystem function. Species contributions function can be driven by two processes: niche complementarity and selection effect that is influenced fitness (competitive) differences, both approximated with measures of species’ traits. It hypothesised differences are associated few, singular traits while requires multidimensional trait measures. Here, using experimental data from plant assemblages, I show was strongest when dissimilarity low, greatest high dissimilarity. Selection were best explained single trait, height. Complementarity correlated across multiple traits, representing above below ground processes. By identifying relevant linked function, we obtain predict combinations species will maximise

Language: Английский

Citations

351