NDLI: Not all traits are ‘functional’: insights from taxonomy and biodiversity-ecosystem functioning research

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Mlambo, Musa C.
Copyright Year	2014
Abstract	The current definition of a functional trait as any trait that is linked to growth, reproduction and survival is problematic. With this logic all traits within an organism can be defined as functional, because there is no one trait that is not linked to these processes. Such a definition, therefore, hinders the realignment of functional traits with biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationship (BEFR) and is also out of sync with taxonomy resulting in an unfortunate view of functional diversity as a combination of any available morphological, physiological and life-history traits. This paper argues that functional traits have to be functional, meaning that they have to demonstrably effect or respond to ecosystem processes, and following the insights of BEFR they should experimentally be tested too. The recent crop of studies comparing taxonomical versus functional diversity appears to be conceptually flawed, as they conflate trait-based and species-based approaches. If the focus is on the trait-based approach, then taxonomic diversity should be comprised of trait information too, which is given in the species taxonomic descriptions and not just species richness. Instead of the concept of functional traits being easier and quicker than species-based assessment, it is actually more demanding, and the burden of proof for identifying functional traits is much higher. Demonstrating that a trait plays a crucial role in ecosystem processes (i.e. functional) requires a far greater understanding of the organism and its interaction with the environment. The effort put on the functional traits, however considerable, may yield novel insights that are not possible with species-based approach.
Starting Page	781
Ending Page	790
Page Count	10
File Format	PDF
ISSN	09603115
Journal	Biodiversity and Conservation
Volume Number	23
Issue Number	3
e-ISSN	15729710
Language	English
Publisher	Springer Netherlands
Publisher Date	2014-01-17
Publisher Place	Dordrecht
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Trait-based approach Species-based approach Phylogenetic diversity Community ecology Bio-monitoring Evolutionary Biology Plant Sciences Tree Biology
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Ecology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics Nature and Landscape Conservation

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

Explaining forest productivity using tree functional traits and phylogenetic information: two sides of the same coin over evolutionary scale?

Different species traits produce diverse spatial functional diversity patterns of amphibians

Towards an assessment of multiple ecosystem processes and services via functional traits

Ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation: concepts and a glossary

Impact of alien species on dune systems: a multifaceted approach

Conservation of reef corals in the South China Sea based on species and evolutionary diversity

The importance of rare species: a trait‐based assessment of rare species contributions to functional diversity and possible ecosystem function in tall‐grass prairies

The ecosystem functioning dimension in conservation: insights from remote sensing

Does neighbourhood tree diversity affect the crown arthropod community in saplings?

Not all traits are ‘functional’: insights from taxonomy and biodiversity-ecosystem functioning research

Similar Documents

Explaining forest productivity using tree functional traits and phylogenetic information: two sides of the same coin over evolutionary scale?

Different species traits produce diverse spatial functional diversity patterns of amphibians

Towards an assessment of multiple ecosystem processes and services via functional traits

Ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation: concepts and a glossary

Impact of alien species on dune systems: a multifaceted approach

Conservation of reef corals in the South China Sea based on species and evolutionary diversity

The importance of rare species: a trait‐based assessment of rare species contributions to functional diversity and possible ecosystem function in tall‐grass prairies

The ecosystem functioning dimension in conservation: insights from remote sensing

Does neighbourhood tree diversity affect the crown arthropod community in saplings?

Not all traits are ‘functional’: insights from taxonomy and biodiversity-ecosystem functioning research