The use of functional traits in assessing productivity in natural ecosystems
Ecosystem functioning—such as nutrient cycling, energy flow and carbon storage—is strongly shaped by plant functional traits. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how functional diversity and dominance relate to productivity in forest and grassland ecosystems across tropical and temperate regions. Findings show that the strength of trait–productivity relationships depends heavily on which traits are selected, with little consistency among studies. The chapter highlights the importance of choosing traits directly linked to ecosystem processes and calls for more coordinated research to build a clearer, more comprehensive understanding of how traits drive ecosystem functioning.
Subject Tags
- Forest
- Ecosystem management
- Grassland
Abstract
The processes and interactions that occur within natural ecosystems determine the ecosystem functioning, which may be described by nutrient cycling, energy flow, and carbon storage, for instance. One way to evaluate ecosystem functioning is by examining the functional traits of the plants from these ecosystems. Functional traits are measurable features that influence the individual performance, providing insights into how they contribute to ecosystem functioning. When selecting functional traits to evaluate ecosystem functioning, it is important to consider specific traits linked to each function. By using a literature review, we assessed the state of the art on the knowledge regarding the relationship between plant functional traits (in terms of functional diversity and dominance) and productivity, as a proxy for ecosystem processes. We conducted this evaluation on forest and grassland ecosystems, across tropical and temperate regions. Our research has revealed that the strength of the relationship depends on the specific functional traits considered when evaluating productivity, and there is little consistency among the traits used in the different studies. Our chapter sheds light on the significance of traits in understanding productivity and also emphasizes the necessity for further research to paint a more comprehensive and detailed picture.
Citation
Bordin, K. M., da Cunha Morales, D., Klipel, J., Bergamin, R. S., Kramer, J. M. F., Müller, S. C., ... & Rosenfield, M. F. (2025). The use of functional traits in assessing productivity in natural ecosystems. In Plant Functional Traits (pp. 111-133). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-13367-1.00007-7
TNC Authors
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Milena Fermina Rosenfield
The Nature Conservancy