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Thomas HJD, Myers‐Smith IH, Bjorkman AD, Elmendorf SC, Blok D, Cornelissen JHC, Forbes BC, Hollister RD, Normand S, Prevéy JS, Rixen C, Schaepman‐Strub G, Wilmking M, Wipf S, Cornwell WK, Kattge J, Goetz SJ, Guay KC, Alatalo JM, Anadon‐Rosell A, Angers‐Blondin S, Berner LT, Björk RG, Buchwal A, Buras A, Carbognani M, Christie K, Siegwart Collier L, Cooper EJ, Eskelinen A, Frei ER, Grau O, Grogan P, Hallinger M, Heijmans MMPD, Hermanutz L, Hudson JMG, Hülber K, Iturrate‐Garcia M, Iversen CM, Jaroszynska F, Johnstone JF, Kaarlejärvi E, Kulonen A, Lamarque LJ, Lévesque E, Little CJ, Michelsen A, Milbau A, Nabe‐Nielsen J, Nielsen SS, Ninot JM, Oberbauer SF, Olofsson J, Onipchenko VG, Petraglia A, Rumpf SB, Semenchuk PR, Soudzilovskaia NA, Spasojevic MJ, Speed JDM, Tape KD, te Beest M, Tomaselli M, Trant A, Treier UA, Venn S, Vowles T, Weijers S, Zamin T, Atkin OK, Bahn M, Blonder B, Campetella G, Cerabolini BEL, Chapin III FS, Dainese M, de Vries FT, Díaz S, Green W, Jackson RB, Manning P, Niinemets Ü, Ozinga WA, Peñuelas J, Reich PB, Schamp B, Sheremetev S, van Bodegom PM. Traditional plant functional groups explain variation in economic but not size-related traits across the tundra biome. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 2019; 28:78-95. [PMID: 31007605 PMCID: PMC6472633 DOI: 10.1111/geb.12783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
AIM Plant functional groups are widely used in community ecology and earth system modelling to describe trait variation within and across plant communities. However, this approach rests on the assumption that functional groups explain a large proportion of trait variation among species. We test whether four commonly used plant functional groups represent variation in six ecologically important plant traits. LOCATION Tundra biome. TIME PERIOD Data collected between 1964 and 2016. MAJOR TAXA STUDIED 295 tundra vascular plant species. METHODS We compiled a database of six plant traits (plant height, leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf nitrogen, seed mass) for tundra species. We examined the variation in species-level trait expression explained by four traditional functional groups (evergreen shrubs, deciduous shrubs, graminoids, forbs), and whether variation explained was dependent upon the traits included in analysis. We further compared the explanatory power and species composition of functional groups to alternative classifications generated using post hoc clustering of species-level traits. RESULTS Traditional functional groups explained significant differences in trait expression, particularly amongst traits associated with resource economics, which were consistent across sites and at the biome scale. However, functional groups explained 19% of overall trait variation and poorly represented differences in traits associated with plant size. Post hoc classification of species did not correspond well with traditional functional groups, and explained twice as much variation in species-level trait expression. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Traditional functional groups only coarsely represent variation in well-measured traits within tundra plant communities, and better explain resource economic traits than size-related traits. We recommend caution when using functional group approaches to predict tundra vegetation change, or ecosystem functions relating to plant size, such as albedo or carbon storage. We argue that alternative classifications or direct use of specific plant traits could provide new insights for ecological prediction and modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. J. D. Thomas
- School of GeosciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | | | - A. D. Bjorkman
- School of GeosciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK‐F)FrankfurtGermany
| | - S. C. Elmendorf
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of ColoradoBoulderColorado
| | - D. Blok
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund UniversityLundSweden
| | | | - B. C. Forbes
- Arctic Centre, University of LaplandRovaniemiFinland
| | - R. D. Hollister
- Biology Department, Grand Valley State UniversityAllendaleMichigan
| | - S. Normand
- Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - J. S. Prevéy
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLFDavosSwitzerland
| | - C. Rixen
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLFDavosSwitzerland
| | - G. Schaepman‐Strub
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - M. Wilmking
- Institute for Botany and Landscape Ecology, Greifswald UniversityGreifswaldGermany
| | - S. Wipf
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLFDavosSwitzerland
| | - W. K. Cornwell
- School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - J. Kattge
- Max Planck Institute for BiogeochemistryJenaGermany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigGermany
| | - S. J. Goetz
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaffArizona
| | - K. C. Guay
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean SciencesBoothbayMaine
| | - J. M. Alatalo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Qatar UniversityDohaQatar
| | - A. Anadon‐Rosell
- Institute for Botany and Landscape Ecology, Greifswald UniversityGreifswaldGermany
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Biodiversity Research InstituteUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - L. T. Berner
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaffArizona
| | - R. G. Björk
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity CentreGothenburgSweden
| | - A. Buchwal
- Institute of Geoecology and Geoinformation, Adam Mickiewicz UniversityPoznanPoland
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska AnchorageAnchorageAlaska
| | - A. Buras
- Forest Ecology and Forest Management, Wageningen University and Research, WageningenNetherlands
| | - M. Carbognani
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of ParmaParmaItaly
| | - K. Christie
- The Alaska Department of Fish and GameJuneauAlaska
| | - L. Siegwart Collier
- Department of Biology, Memorial UniversitySt John’s, Newfoundland and LabradorCanada
| | - E. J. Cooper
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT‐The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | - A. Eskelinen
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigGermany
- Department of Physiological Diversity, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZLeipzigGermany
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of OuluOuluFinland
| | - E. R. Frei
- Department of Geography, University of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - O. Grau
- Global Ecology Unit, CREAF‐CSIC‐UAB‐UBBellaterraSpain
| | - P. Grogan
- Department of Biology, Queen's UniversityKingston, OntarioCanada
| | - M. Hallinger
- Biology Department, Swedish Agricultural University (SLU)UppsalaSweden
| | - M. M. P. D. Heijmans
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - L. Hermanutz
- Department of Biology, Memorial UniversitySt John’s, Newfoundland and LabradorCanada
| | | | - K. Hülber
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - M. Iturrate‐Garcia
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - C. M. Iversen
- Climate Change Science Institute and Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National LaboratoryOak RidgeTennessee
| | | | - J. F. Johnstone
- Department of Biology, University of SaskatchewanSaskatoonCanada
| | - E. Kaarlejärvi
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå UniversityUmeåSweden
- Department of Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)BrusselsBelgium
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - A. Kulonen
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLFDavosSwitzerland
- Department of Biology, University of BergenBergenNorway
| | - L. J. Lamarque
- Département des Sciences de l'Environnement and Centres d'études nordiques, Université du Québec à Trois‐RivièresTrois‐RivièresQuebecCanada
| | - E. Lévesque
- Département des Sciences de l'Environnement and Centres d'études nordiques, Université du Québec à Trois‐RivièresTrois‐RivièresQuebecCanada
| | - C. J. Little
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Eawag Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & TechnologyDubendorfSwitzerland
| | - A. Michelsen
- Department of Biology, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - A. Milbau
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)BrusselsBelgium
| | - J. Nabe‐Nielsen
- Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - S. S. Nielsen
- Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - J. M. Ninot
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Biodiversity Research InstituteUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - S. F. Oberbauer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International UniversityMiamiFlorida
| | - J. Olofsson
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - V. G. Onipchenko
- Department of Geobotany, Lomonosov Moscow State UniversityMoscowRussia
| | - A. Petraglia
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of ParmaParmaItaly
| | - S. B. Rumpf
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - P. R. Semenchuk
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT‐The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - N. A. Soudzilovskaia
- Environmental Biology, Department Institute of Environmental Sciences, CML, Leiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - M. J. Spasojevic
- Department of Biology, University of California RiversideRiversideCalifornia
| | - J. D. M. Speed
- NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway
| | - K. D. Tape
- Water and Environmental Research Center, University of AlaskaFairbanksAlaska
| | - M. te Beest
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå UniversityUmeåSweden
- Environmental Sciences, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - M. Tomaselli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of ParmaParmaItaly
| | - A. Trant
- Department of Biology, Memorial UniversitySt John’s, Newfoundland and LabradorCanada
- School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, University of WaterlooWaterlooOntarioCanada
| | - U. A. Treier
- Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - S. Venn
- Research School of Biology, Australian National UniversityActon, ACTAustralia
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin UniversityBurwoodVictoriaAustralia
| | - T. Vowles
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - S. Weijers
- Department of Geography, University of BonnBonnGermany
| | - T. Zamin
- Department of Biology, Queen's UniversityKingston, OntarioCanada
| | - O. K. Atkin
- Research School of Biology, Australian National UniversityActon, ACTAustralia
| | - M. Bahn
- Department of Ecology, University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - B. Blonder
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Rocky Mountain Biological LaboratoryCrested ButteColorado
| | - G. Campetella
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine ‐ Plant Diversity and Ecosystems Management Unit, University of CamerinoCamerinoItaly
| | | | - F. S. Chapin III
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of AlaskaFairbanksAlaska
| | - M. Dainese
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - F. T. de Vries
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of ManchesterManchesterUnited Kingdom
| | - S. Díaz
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV), CONICET and FCEFyN, Universidad Nacional de CórdobaCórdobaArgentina
| | - W. Green
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - R. B. Jackson
- Department of Earth System Science, Stanford UniversityStanford, California
| | - P. Manning
- Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK‐F)FrankfurtGermany
| | - Ü. Niinemets
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life SciencesTartuEstonia
| | - W. A. Ozinga
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - J. Peñuelas
- Global Ecology Unit, CREAF‐CSIC‐UAB‐UBBellaterraSpain
- CREAFCerdanyola del VallèsSpain
| | - P. B. Reich
- Department of Forest Resources, University of MinnesotaSt. Paul, MinneapolisMinnesota
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney UniversityPenrith, NSWAustralia
| | - B. Schamp
- Department of Biology, Algoma UniversitySault Ste. MarieOntarioCanada
| | | | - P. M. van Bodegom
- Environmental Biology, Department Institute of Environmental Sciences, CML, Leiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
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