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The global spectrum of plant form and function

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Title: The global spectrum of plant form and function
Authors: Diaz, S
Kattge, J
Cornelissen, JHC
Wright, IJ
Lavorel, S
Dray, S
Reu, B
Kleyer, M
Wirth, C
Prentice, IC
Garnier, E
Boenisch, G
Westoby, M
Poorter, H
Reich, PB
Moles, AT
Dickie, J
Gillison, AN
Zanne, AE
Chave, J
Wright, SJ
Sheremet'ev, SN
Jactel, H
Baraloto, C
Cerabolini, B
Pierce, S
Shipley, B
Kirkup, D
Casanoves, F
Joswig, JS
Guenther, A
Falczuk, V
Rueger, N
Mahecha, MD
Gorne, LD
Item Type: Journal Article
Abstract: Earth is home to a remarkable diversity of plant forms and life histories, yet comparatively few essential trait combinations have proved evolutionarily viable in today’s terrestrial biosphere. By analysing worldwide variation in six major traits critical to growth, survival and reproduction within the largest sample of vascular plant species ever compiled, we found that occupancy of six-dimensional trait space is strongly concentrated, indicating coordination and trade-offs. Three-quarters of trait variation is captured in a two-dimensional global spectrum of plant form and function. One major dimension within this plane reflects the size of whole plants and their parts; the other represents the leaf economics spectrum, which balances leaf construction costs against growth potential. The global plant trait spectrum provides a backdrop for elucidating constraints on evolution, for functionally qualifying species and ecosystems, and for improving models that predict future vegetation based on continuous variation in plant form and function.
Issue Date: 23-Dec-2015
Date of Acceptance: 26-Nov-2015
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/56792
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature16489
ISSN: 0028-0836
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
Start Page: 167
End Page: U73
Journal / Book Title: Nature
Volume: 529
Issue: 7585
Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2015, Springer Nature
Sponsor/Funder: AXA Research Fund
Funder's Grant Number: AXA Chair Programme in Biosphere and Climate Impacts
Keywords: Science & Technology
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Science & Technology - Other Topics
LEAF ECONOMICS SPECTRUM
RELATIVE GROWTH-RATE
RAIN-FOREST TREES
HAWAIIAN METROSIDEROS-POLYMORPHA
TRAIT-ENVIRONMENT RELATIONSHIPS
KERNEL DENSITY-ESTIMATION
FOLIAR NITROGEN ISOTOPES
DRY-MATTER CONTENT
SEED SIZE
PHOTOSYNTHETIC CAPACITY
Biodiversity
Databases, Factual
Genetic Variation
Internationality
Models, Biological
Nitrogen
Organ Size
Phenotype
Plant Development
Plant Leaves
Plant Physiological Phenomena
Plant Stems
Plants
Reproduction
Seeds
Selection, Genetic
Species Specificity
MD Multidisciplinary
General Science & Technology
Publication Status: Published
Appears in Collections:Department of Life Sciences
Grantham Institute for Climate Change
Faculty of Natural Sciences