The global spectrum of plant form and function

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https://hdl.handle.net/11299/184528

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The global spectrum of plant form and function

Authors

Díaz, Sandra

Kattge, Jens

Cornelissen, Johannes H C

Wright, Ian J

Lavorel, Sandra

Dray, Stéphane

Reu, Björn

Kleyer, Michael

Wirth, Christian

Prentice, I. Colin

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Published Date

2016

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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.

Keywords

ecosystem ecology

ecophysiology

biodiversity

evolutionary ecology

climate-change ecology

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Dr. Peter Reich

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10.1038/nature16489

Previously Published Citation

Díaz, S., Kattge, J., Cornelissen, et al. (2016). The global spectrum of plant form and function. Nature, 529(7585), 167-171. Chicago

Suggested citation

Díaz, Sandra; Kattge, Jens; Cornelissen, Johannes H C; Wright, Ian J; Lavorel, Sandra; Dray, Stéphane; Reu, Björn; Kleyer, Michael; Wirth, Christian; Prentice, I. Colin; Garnier, Eric; Bönisch, Gerhard; Westoby, Mark; Poorter, Hendrik; Reich, Peter B; Moles, Angela T; Dickie, John; Gillison, Andrew N; Zanne, Amy E; Chave, Jérôme; Wright, S. Joseph; Sheremet’ev, Serge N; Jactel, Hervé; Baraloto, Christopher; Cerabolini, Bruno; Pierce, Simon; Shipley, Bill; Kirkup, Donald; Casanoves, Fernando; Joswig, Julia S; Günther, Angela; Falczuk, Valeria; Rüger, Nadja; Mahecha, Miguel D; Gorné, Lucas D. (2016). The global spectrum of plant form and function. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, 10.1038/nature16489.

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