A handbook of protocols for standardised and easy measurement of plant functional traits worldwide

Australian Journal of Botany, Journal Year: 2003, Volume and Issue: 51(4), P. 335 - 335

Published: Jan. 1, 2003

There is growing recognition that classifying terrestrial plant species on the basis of their function (into 'functional types') rather than higher taxonomic identity, a promising way forward for tackling important ecological questions at scale ecosystems, landscapes or biomes. These include those vegetation responses to and effects on, environmental changes (e.g. in climate, atmospheric chemistry, land use other disturbances). also consensus about shortlist traits should underlie such functional classifications, because they have strong predictive power ecosystem change and/or themselves impacts processes. The most favoured are relatively easy inexpensive measure large numbers species. Large international research efforts, promoted by IGBP–GCTE Programme, underway screen predominant various ecosystems biomes worldwide traits. This paper provides an methodological protocol aimed standardising this effort, based among broad group scientists field. It features practical handbook with step-by-step recipes, brief information context, 28 recognised as critical large-scale questions.

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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Towards a worldwide wood economics spectrum

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 12(4), P. 351 - 366

Published: Feb. 20, 2009

Wood performs several essential functions in plants, including mechanically supporting aboveground tissue, storing water and other resources, transporting sap. Woody tissues are likely to face physiological, structural defensive trade-offs. How a plant optimizes among these competing can have major ecological implications, which been under-appreciated by ecologists compared the focus they given leaf function. To draw together our current understanding of wood function, we identify collate data on functional traits, largest density database date (8412 taxa), mechanical strength measures anatomical features, as well clade-specific features such secondary chemistry. We then show how traits related one another, highlighting trade-offs, demographic (growth form, growth rate, latitude, setting). suggest that, similar manifold that tree species cluster around 'leaf economics spectrum', 'wood spectrum' may be defined. discuss biogeography, evolution biogeochemistry spectrum, conclude pointing out gaps knowledge traits.

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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Causes and consequences of variation in leaf mass per area (LMA): a meta‐analysis

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 182(3), P. 565 - 588

Published: April 16, 2009

Summary Here, we analysed a wide range of literature data on the leaf dry mass per unit area (LMA). In nature, LMA varies more than 100‐fold among species. Part this variation ( c . 35%) can be ascribed to differences between functional groups, with evergreen species having highest LMA, but most is within groups or biomes. When grown in same controlled environment, succulents and woody evergreen, perennial slow‐growing have inherently high LMA. Within studied, high‐LMA show higher tissue densities. However, deciduous result from larger volumes (thickness). Response curves constructed experiments under conditions showed that varied strongly light, temperature submergence, moderately CO 2 concentration nutrient water stress, marginally other conditions. Functional differed plasticity these gradients. The physiological regulation still unclear, consequences suite traits interconnected it are strong. This trait complex an important factor determining fitness their environment affects various ecosystem processes. Contents 565 I. perspective 566 II. field 567 III. Inherent 568 IV. Relation anatomy chemical composition 570 V. Environmental effects 572 VI. Differences space time 577 VII. Molecular physiology 579 VIII. Ecological 580 IX. Conclusions perspectives 582 Acknowledgements References Appendices 587

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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Assessing the generality of global leaf trait relationships

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2005, Volume and Issue: 166(2), P. 485 - 496

Published: Feb. 3, 2005

• Global-scale quantification of relationships between plant traits gives insight into the evolution world's vegetation, and is crucial for parameterizing vegetation–climate models. A database was compiled, comprising data hundreds to thousands species core 'leaf economics' leaf lifespan, mass per area, photosynthetic capacity, dark respiration, nitrogen phosphorus concentrations, as well potassium, N-use efficiency (PNUE), N : P ratio. While mean trait values differed functional types, range found within groups often larger than differences among them. Future models could incorporate this knowledge. The were intercorrelated, both globally forming a economics spectrum'. these are very general, they not universal, significant heterogeneity exists fitted individual sites. Much, but all, can be explained by variation in sample size alone. PNUE also considered part spectrum, whereas K ratios only loosely related.

Language: Английский

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Functional diversity: back to basics and looking forward

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2006, Volume and Issue: 9(6), P. 741 - 758

Published: April 25, 2006

Abstract Functional diversity is a component of biodiversity that generally concerns the range things organisms do in communities and ecosystems. Here, we review how functional can explain predict impact on ecosystems thereby provide mechanistic link between two. Critical points developing predictive measures are choice traits with which distinguished, trait information summarized into measure diversity, validated through quantitative analyses experimental tests. There vast amount available for plant species substantial animals. Choosing to include particular will depend specific aims study. Quantitative methods choosing assigning weighting being developed, but need much more work before be confident about choice. The number ways measuring growing rapidly. We divide them four main groups. first, groups or types, has significant problems researchers frequently using not require grouped. Of these, some by summarizing distances space, estimating size dendrogram required describe difference, species’ abundances. show new important differences as well what they indicate responses assemblages loss individuals. good analytical evidence greater validation required. suggest non‐significant results have alternate explanations necessarily contradict positive effects diversity. Finally, areas development techniques used highlight exciting questions addressed ideas directions novel research.

Language: Английский

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PLANT FUNCTIONAL MARKERS CAPTURE ECOSYSTEM PROPERTIES DURING SECONDARY SUCCESSION

Ecology, Journal Year: 2004, Volume and Issue: 85(9), P. 2630 - 2637

Published: Sept. 1, 2004

Although the structure and composition of plant communities is known to influence functioning ecosystems, there as yet no agreement how these should be described from a functional perspective. We tested biomass ratio hypothesis, which postulates that ecosystem properties depend on species traits contribution total community, in successional sere following vineyard abandonment Mediterranean region France. Ecosystem-specific net primary productivity, litter decomposition rate, soil carbon nitrogen varied significantly with field age, correlated community-aggregated (i.e., weighed according relative abundance species) leaf traits. The three easily measurable tested, specific area, dry matter content, concentration, provide simple means scale up organ complex communities. propose they called "functional markers," used assess impacts community changes induced, particular, by global change drivers.

Language: Английский

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A meta‐analysis of trait differences between invasive and non‐invasive plant species

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2009, Volume and Issue: 13(2), P. 235 - 245

Published: Dec. 10, 2009

Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 235–245 Abstract A major aim in ecology is identifying determinants of invasiveness. We performed a meta‐analysis 117 field or experimental‐garden studies that measured pair‐wise trait differences total 125 invasive and 196 non‐invasive plant species the range species. tested whether invasiveness associated with performance‐related traits (physiology, leaf‐area allocation, shoot growth rate, size fitness), such associations depend on type study biogeographical biological factors. Overall, had significantly higher values than for all six categories. More were significant vs. native comparisons alien comparisons. Moreover, between themselves are elsewhere, no significant. Differences physiology rate larger tropical regions temperate regions. Trait did not originates from Europe, nor they test environment. conclude those related to performance This suggests it might become possible predict future invasions traits.

Language: Английский

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