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 world‐wide ‘fast–slow’ plant economics spectrum: a traits manifesto

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 102(2), P. 275 - 301

Published: Feb. 19, 2014

Summary The leaf economics spectrum (LES) provides a useful framework for examining species strategies as shaped by their evolutionary history. However, that spectrum, originally described, involved only two key resources (carbon and nutrients) one of three economically important plant organs. Herein, I evaluate whether the idea can be broadly extended to water – third resource –stems, roots entire plants individual, community ecosystem scales. My overarching hypothesis is strong selection along trait trade‐off axes, in tandem with biophysical constraints, results convergence any taxon on uniformly fast, medium or slow strategy (i.e. rates acquisition processing) all organs resources. Evidence economic spectra exists stems well leaves, traits related carbon nutrients. These apply generally within across scales (within communities, climate zones, biomes lineages). There are linkages coupling among resources, resulting an integrated whole‐plant spectrum. Species capable moving rapidly have low tissue density, short life span high flux at organ individual reverse true strategy. Different may different conditions, but being fast respect requires others, general feature species. Economic influence performance fitness consistent trait‐based theory about underlying adaptive mechanisms. Traits help explain differences growth survival gradients thus distribution assembly communities light, nutrient gradients. scale up associated faster processes such decomposition primary productivity, process rates. Synthesis . matter. A single ‘fast–slow’ integrates universe helps ecological strategies, functioning ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Plant species traits are the predominant control on litter decomposition rates within biomes worldwide

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2008, Volume and Issue: 11(10), P. 1065 - 1071

Published: July 9, 2008

Abstract Worldwide decomposition rates depend both on climate and the legacy of plant functional traits as litter quality. To quantify degree to which differentiation among species affects their rates, we brought together leaf trait mass loss data for 818 from 66 experiments six continents. We show that: (i) magnitude species‐driven differences is much larger than previously thought greater climate‐driven variation; (ii) decomposability a species’ consistently correlated with that ecological strategy within different ecosystems globally, representing new connection between whole carbon biogeochemical cycling. This strategies crucial understanding vegetation–soil feedbacks, improving forecasts global cycle.

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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A functional approach reveals community responses to disturbances

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 28(3), P. 167 - 177

Published: Nov. 8, 2012

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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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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