Functional traits, convergent evolution, and periodic tables of niches

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 18(8), P. 737 - 751

Published: June 21, 2015

Abstract Ecology is often said to lack general theories sufficiently predictive for applications. Here, we examine the concept of a periodic table niches and feasibility niche classification schemes from functional trait performance data. Niche differences their influence on ecological patterns processes could be revealed effectively by first performing data reduction/ordination analyses separately matrices compiled according logical associations with five basic ‘dimensions’, or aspects: habitat, life history, trophic, defence metabolic. Resultant then are integrated produce interpretable gradients, ordinations classifications. Degree scheme periodicity would depend degrees conservatism convergence causing species clustering across multiple dimensions. We analysed sample set containing contrast two approaches producing schemes: ordination within gradient space, categorisation trait‐value thresholds. Creation useful advancing knowledge its applications will research that produces datasets directly related dimensions along criteria standardisation quality. As larger databases compiled, opportunities emerge explore new methods reduction, classification.

Language: Английский

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Genetic considerations in ecosystem restoration using native tree species

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 333, P. 66 - 75

Published: Aug. 13, 2014

Rehabilitation and restoration of forest ecosystems are in growing demand to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss desertification—major environmental problems our time. Interest is increasingly translated into strong political commitment large-scale tree planting projects. Along with this new impetus the enormous scale planned projects come both opportunities risks: significantly increase use native species, risks failure associated inadequate or mismatched reproductive material, which though it may provide cover short term, will not likely establish a self-sustaining ecosystem. The value using species ecosystem receiving recognition among practitioners policy makers. However, insufficient attention has been given genetic variation within their life histories consequences interactions each other environment. Also have often neglected build safeguards against anticipated effects anthropogenic change. Measurement success tended be assessments hectares covered seedling survival timeframe, neither an indicator establishment long term. In article, we review current practices particular focus on considerations. Our discussion organised across three themes: (i) selection sourcing material; (ii) increasing resilience by fostering natural selection, ecological connectivity associations; (iii) measuring activities. We present number practical recommendations for researchers, policymakers potential successful interventions. recommend development adoption decision-support tools for: collecting propagating germplasm way that ensures broad base restored populations, including planning propagation material desired well before intended time; matching provenances sites based future site conditions, predicted known patterns adaptive traits availability seed sources; landscape-level

Language: Английский

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Seed germination traits can contribute better to plant community ecology

Journal of Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 27(3), P. 637 - 645

Published: Jan. 4, 2016

Abstract Analyses of functional traits have become fundamental tools for understanding patterns and processes in plant community ecology. In this context, regenerative seed play an important, yet overlooked, role because they largely determine the ability plants to disperse re‐establish. A survey recent publications ecology suggests that germination particular are neglected at expense other relevant but overused based only on morphology. As a response bias, we discuss significance comparison with morphological biophysical traits, advocate their use vegetation science. We also demonstrate how research assembly, climate change restoration can benefit from inclusion encompassing functions cannot be explained solely by adult traits. Seed experiments conducted laboratory or field quantify these provide ecologically meaningful relatively easy‐to‐obtain information about properties communities. argue bridging gap between physiologists ecologists will improve prediction assemblages, propose further perspectives including into agenda ecologists.

Language: Английский

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Functional diversity in cover crop polycultures increases multifunctionality of an agricultural system

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 54(2), P. 509 - 517

Published: Aug. 6, 2016

Ecological studies identifying a positive relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem services motivate projections that higher plant diversity will increase from agroecosystems. While this idea is compelling, evidence of generalizable relationships could be broadly applied in agricultural systems lacking. Cover crops grown rotation with cash are realistic strategy to agroecosystem diversity. We evaluated the prediction further increasing cover crop polycultures would enhance multifunctionality 2-year study eighteen treatments ranging one eight species. Five were measured each system regression analysis used explore several indices. As expected, there was species richness multifunctionality, but it only explained small fraction variance (marginal R2 = 0·05). In contrast, indices functional diversity, particularly distribution trait abundances, stronger predictors 0·15–0·38). Synthesis application. corn production system, simply have impact on services, designing maximize may lead agroecosystems greater multifunctionality.

Language: Английский

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Interpreting variation to advance predictive restoration science

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 54(4), P. 1018 - 1027

Published: June 19, 2017

Summary Ecological restoration is a global priority that holds great potential for benefiting natural ecosystems, but outcomes are notoriously unpredictable. Resolving this unpredictability represents major, critical challenge to the science of ecology. In an effort move ecology toward more predictive science, we consider key issue variability. Typically, vary relative goals (i.e. reference or desired future conditions) and with respect other efforts. The field has largely considered only first type variation, often focusing on oversimplified success vs. failure dichotomy. causes particularly among efforts, remain poorly understood most systems. Variation associated consequence how, where when conducted; variation also influenced by how outcome measured. We propose should decrease number factors constraining increase specificity goal. When (e.g. harsh environmental conditions, limited species reintroductions) preclude species, little will exist restorations, metrics such as physical structure, may be broadly interchangeable. Conversely, few constraints membership exist, substantial result pronounced assessed taxonomic composition. Synthesis applications . variability observe during results from both context (how, conducted) evaluate outcomes. To advance capacity restoration, outline research agenda considers outcomes, drivers existing experiments quantify understand in development models organise, interpret forecast

Language: Английский

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Functional diversity enhances the resistance of ecosystem multifunctionality to aridity in Mediterranean drylands

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 206(2), P. 660 - 671

Published: Jan. 23, 2015

Summary We used a functional trait‐based approach to assess the impacts of aridity and shrub encroachment on structure Mediterranean dryland communities (functional diversity ( FD ) community‐weighted mean trait values CWM )), evaluate how these attributes ultimately affect multifunctionality (i.e. provision several ecosystem functions simultaneously). Shrub (the increase in abundance/cover shrubs) is major land cover change that taking place grasslands worldwide. Studies conducted drylands have reported positive or negative depending traits sprouting nonsprouting species considered. were equally important as drivers responses both encroachment. Size (e.g. vegetative height lateral spread) leaf specific area dry matter content) captured effect with relative high accuracy r 2 = 0.63). also improved resistance along gradient studied. Maintaining enhancing plant may help buffer effects ongoing global environmental multifunctionality.

Language: Английский

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Functional traits and ecosystem services in ecological restoration

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 28(6), P. 1372 - 1383

Published: Sept. 4, 2020

The application of a functional trait‐based approach to ecological restoration is receiving growing attention worldwide, but lack knowledge on traits and how they link ecosystem services imposes major barrier operationalize such approach. Synthesizing the existing thus timely important challenge. We systematically reviewed literature assess are associated across organisms, types, continents. also assessed frameworks target in ecology. Then, we discussed future perspectives for field, especially challenges applying megadiverse tropical ecosystems, which have ambitious commitments. Most papers focused plants (72%), terrestrial habitats (69%), non‐tropical ecosystems (68%) monitored after started rather than using them as previous targets. Only 12% targeted both priori , 3.8% presented clear framework restoration. possibility selecting alternative subsets complementary species their provisioning should make more feasible traditional approaches species‐rich ecosystems. With this review our critical insights widely, hope assist broad‐scale programs obtain higher levels benefits nature human well‐being per unit area undergoing restoration, going beyond area‐based that has dominated

Language: Английский

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Global environmental change effects on ecosystems: the importance of land‐use legacies

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 22(4), P. 1361 - 1371

Published: Nov. 7, 2015

One of the major challenges in ecology is to predict how multiple global environmental changes will affect future ecosystem patterns (e.g. plant community composition) and processes nutrient cycling). Here, we highlight arguments for necessary inclusion land-use legacies this endeavour. Alterations resources conditions engendered by previous land use, together with influences on such as dispersal, selection, drift speciation, have steered communities functions onto trajectories change. These may be modulated contemporary climate warming nitrogen deposition. We performed a literature review which suggests that these potential interactions rarely been investigated. This crucial oversight potentially due an assumption knowledge state allows accurate projection into future. Lessons from other complex dynamic systems, recent recognition importance explaining properties, demand testing assumption. Vegetation resurvey databases across gradients use change, complemented rigorous experiments, offer means test between changes. Implementing tests context trait-based framework allow biologists synthesize compositional functional responses. further our understanding determining soundly inform conservation restoration management actions.

Language: Английский

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Plant functional traits and environmental conditions shape community assembly and ecosystem functioning during restoration

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 54(4), P. 1070 - 1079

Published: March 7, 2017

Summary Recovering biological diversity and ecosystem functioning are primary objectives of ecological restoration, yet these outcomes often unpredictable. Assessments based on functional traits may help with interpreting variability in both community composition because their mechanistic generalizable nature. This promise remains poorly realized, however, tests linking environmental conditions, traits, restoration rare. Here, we provide such a test through what is to our knowledge the first empirical application ‘response–effect trait framework’ restoration. framework provides trait‐based bridge between assembly by describing how species respond conditions affect functioning. Our study took place across 29 prairies restored from former agricultural fields southwestern Michigan. We considered independently measured traits. To do so, paired field‐collected data plant measures used structural equation modelling determine relationships community‐weighted means Environmental were predictive composition. Sites directly tillage (as opposed those allowed fallow) supported taller larger seeds higher specific leaf area (SLA). Site age fire frequency negatively related SLA. also found positive relationship soil moisture Both predicted functioning, but varied among functions. Pollination mode (animal pollination) increased decreased floral resource availability, seed mass had negative effect below‐ground biomass production, vegetative height decomposition rate. Soil while site above‐ground Synthesis applications . results suggest that play role shaping function during importance each dependent interest. Because this, heterogeneity will be necessary promote multiple functions landscapes. A approach can aid interpretation variable insights into

Language: Английский

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Fifty important research questions in microbial ecology

FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 93(5)

Published: March 31, 2017

Microbial ecology provides insights into the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of microbial communities underpinning every ecosystem on Earth. can now be investigated in unprecedented detail, although there is still a wealth open questions to tackled. Here we identify 50 research fundamental importance science or application ecology, with intention summarising field bringing focus new avenues. Questions are categorised seven themes: host-microbiome interactions; health infectious diseases; human food security; changing world; environmental processes; functional diversity; processes. Many recognise that microbes provide an extraordinary array diversity harnessed solve real-world problems. Our limited knowledge spatial temporal variation function also reflected, as need integrate micro- macro-ecological concepts, derived from studies humans other diverse organisms. Although not exhaustive, presented intended stimulate discussion for researchers, funders policy makers, informing future agenda ecology.

Language: Английский

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