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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Metabolic Reconstruction for Metagenomic Data and Its Application to the Human Microbiome

PLoS Computational Biology, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 8(6), P. e1002358 - e1002358

Published: June 13, 2012

Microbial communities carry out the majority of biochemical activity on planet, and they play integral roles in processes including metabolism immune homeostasis human microbiome. Shotgun sequencing such communities' metagenomes provides information complementary to organismal abundances from taxonomic markers, but resulting data typically comprise short reads hundreds different organisms are at best challenging assemble comparably single-organism genomes. Here, we describe an alternative approach infer functional metabolic potential a microbial community metagenome. We determined gene families pathways present or absent within community, as well their relative abundances, directly sequence reads. validated this methodology using collection synthetic metagenomes, recovering presence abundance both large small modules with high accuracy. subsequently applied method, HUMAnN, 649 drawn seven primary body sites 102 individuals part Human Microbiome Project (HMP). This provided means compare diversity ecology microbiome, core 24 ubiquitously modules. Core were often implemented by enzyme sites, 168 196 varied metagenomic specifically one more niches These included glycosaminoglycan degradation gut, phosphate amino acid transport linked host phenotype (vaginal pH) posterior fornix. An implementation our is available http://huttenhower.sph.harvard.edu/humann. accurately efficiently characterize high-throughput reads, enabling determination HMP cohort future studies.

Language: Английский

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Using plant functional traits to understand the landscape distribution of multiple ecosystem services

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 99(1), P. 135 - 147

Published: Nov. 22, 2010

Summary 1. Spatially explicit understanding of the delivery multiple ecosystem services (ES) from global to local scales is currently limited. New studies analysing simultaneous provision at landscape scale should aid ES and trade‐offs support policy, management land planning. 2. Here, we propose a new approach for analysis, mapping in landscapes. single models based on plant traits abiotic characteristics are combined identify ‘hot’ ‘cold’ spots delivery, use biotic determinants such distributions. We demonstrate value this trait‐based as compared pure land‐use pastoral central French Alps, highlight how it improves ecological constraints to, opportunities for, services. 3. Vegetative height leaf dry matter content were response strongly influenced by environment, with follow‐on effects several properties, could therefore be used functional markers ES. 4. Patterns association among related dominant underlying different properties. The decoupling between provided alternative pathways high agronomic value, well determining hot cold Traditional uses organic fertilization mowing or altitude summer grazing also linked spots, because supporting fodder production quality compatible species diversity. 5. Synthesis . Analyses using variation across landscapes powerful fundamental mechanisms provision, synergies Sustainable functionally diverse grassland simultaneously aim conserving biodiversity locally important taking advantage correlations traits.

Language: Английский

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Functional identity and diversity of animals predict ecosystem functioning better than species-based indices

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 282(1801), P. 20142620 - 20142620

Published: Jan. 7, 2015

Drastic biodiversity declines have raised concerns about the deterioration of ecosystem functions and motivated much recent research on relationship between species diversity functioning. A functional trait framework has been proposed to improve mechanistic understanding this relationship, but rarely tested for organisms other than plants. We analysed eight datasets, including five animal groups, examine how well a trait-based approach, compared with more traditional taxonomic predicts seven below- above-ground. Trait-based indices consistently provided greater explanatory power richness or abundance. The frequency distributions single multiple traits in community were best predictors This implies that we investigated underpinned by combination identities (i.e. single-trait indices) complementarity multi-trait communities. Our study provides new insights into general mechanisms link functioning natural communities suggests observed responses due identity dominance patterns composition rather number abundance per se .

Language: Английский

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Biodiversity, Ecosystem Functioning, and Human Wellbeing

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 30, 2009

Abstract How will biodiversity loss affect ecosystem functioning, services, and human wellbeing? In an age of accelerating loss, this volume summarizes recent advances in biodiversity‐ecosystem functioning research explores the economics services. The first section development basic science provides a meta-analysis that quantitatively tests several hypotheses. second describes natural foundations research, including: quantifying functional diversity, field into predictive science, effects stability complexity, methods to quantify mechanisms by which diversity affects importance trophic structure, microbial ecology, spatial dynamics. third takes on further than it has ever gone dimension. six chapters cover most pressing environmental challenges humanity faces, including on: climate change mitigation, restoration degraded habitats, managed ecosystems, pollination, disease, biological invasions. remaining three consider economic perspective, synthesis services biodiversity, options open policy-makers address failure markets account for services; examination valuing and, hence, understanding consequences decisions neglect these ways economists are currently incorporating decision models conservation management biodiversity. final new ecoinformatics help transform globally finally, advancements future directions field. book's ultimate conclusion is essential element any strategy sustainable development.

Language: Английский

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Corrigendum to: New handbook for standardised measurement of plant functional traits worldwide

Australian Journal of Botany, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 64(8), P. 715 - 715

Published: Jan. 1, 2016

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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When and how should intraspecific variability be considered in trait-based plant ecology?

Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 13(3), P. 217 - 225

Published: June 25, 2011

Language: Английский

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CWM and Rao’s quadratic diversity: a unified framework for functional ecology

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2011, Volume and Issue: 167(1), P. 181 - 188

Published: March 21, 2011

Language: Английский

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A multi‐trait approach reveals the structure and the relative importance of intra‐ vs. interspecific variability in plant traits

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2010, Volume and Issue: 24(6), P. 1192 - 1201

Published: May 18, 2010

Summary 1. Functional traits have been extensively used to describe, group and rank species according their functions. There is now growing evidence that intraspecific functional variability, as well interspecific can significant effects on community dynamics ecosystem functioning. A core hypothesis for the use of expressed means, variability negligible compared with has however too rarely tested empirically. We then addressed four questions: Is across ranges variability? Are major resource economics trade‐off strategies robust individual trait rankings or ordination once considering Can be discriminated by leaf traits? 2. Using an environmentally stratified sampling design within alpine catchment, we collected five 13 common plant contrasting life histories traits. Several populations from a range environmental conditions were sampled each ranges. 3. With original combination single‐trait multi‐trait analyses, highlighted non‐negligible contribution overall (∼30%). Although not affecting general well‐known trade‐offs strategies, had potential alter produced continuum rather than clear‐cut classification. 4. Deciding whether considered – being represented mean values –, multivariate distributions essential question multiple ecological issues. However, this decision cannot generic, but will depend studied system selected species, study objectives.

Language: Английский

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