Defining a spectrum of integrative trait‐based vegetation canopy structural types
Abstract
Abstract Vegetation canopy structure is a fundamental characteristic of terrestrial ecosystems that defines vegetation types and drives ecosystem functioning. We use the multivariate structural trait composition of vegetation canopies to classify ecosystems within a global canopy structure spectrum. Across the temperate forest sub‐set of this spectrum, we assess gradients in canopy structural traits, characterise canopy structural types (CST) and evaluate drivers and functional consequences of canopy structural variation. We derive CSTs from multivariate canopy structure data, illustrating variation along three primary structural axes and resolution into six largely distinct and functionally relevant CSTs. Our results illustrate that within‐ecosystem successional processes and disturbance legacies can produce variation in canopy structure similar to that associated with sub‐continental variation in forest types and eco‐climatic zones. The potential to classify ecosystems into CSTs based on suites of structural traits represents an important advance in understanding and modelling structure–function relationships in vegetated ecosystems.
- Authors:
-
[1];
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment and Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering University of Connecticut Storrs CT USA
- Department of Biology Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA USA
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and Environmental and Ecological Engineering Purdue University West Lafayette IN USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biological Station, University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Pellston MI USA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology Ohio State University Columbus OH USA
- Publication Date:
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1562156
- Resource Type:
- Publisher's Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Ecology Letters
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Name: Ecology Letters Journal Volume: 22 Journal Issue: 12; Journal ID: ISSN 1461-023X
- Publisher:
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
Citation Formats
Fahey, Robert T., Atkins, Jeff W., Gough, Christopher M., Hardiman, Brady S., Nave, Lucas E., Tallant, Jason M., Nadehoffer, Knute J., Vogel, Christoph, Scheuermann, Cynthia M., Stuart‐Haëntjens, Ellen, Haber, Lisa T., Fotis, Alexander T., Ricart, Raleigh, Curtis, Peter S., and Penuelas, ed., Josep. Defining a spectrum of integrative trait‐based vegetation canopy structural types. United Kingdom: N. p., 2019.
Web. doi:10.1111/ele.13388.
Fahey, Robert T., Atkins, Jeff W., Gough, Christopher M., Hardiman, Brady S., Nave, Lucas E., Tallant, Jason M., Nadehoffer, Knute J., Vogel, Christoph, Scheuermann, Cynthia M., Stuart‐Haëntjens, Ellen, Haber, Lisa T., Fotis, Alexander T., Ricart, Raleigh, Curtis, Peter S., & Penuelas, ed., Josep. Defining a spectrum of integrative trait‐based vegetation canopy structural types. United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13388
Fahey, Robert T., Atkins, Jeff W., Gough, Christopher M., Hardiman, Brady S., Nave, Lucas E., Tallant, Jason M., Nadehoffer, Knute J., Vogel, Christoph, Scheuermann, Cynthia M., Stuart‐Haëntjens, Ellen, Haber, Lisa T., Fotis, Alexander T., Ricart, Raleigh, Curtis, Peter S., and Penuelas, ed., Josep. Mon .
"Defining a spectrum of integrative trait‐based vegetation canopy structural types". United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13388.
@article{osti_1562156,
title = {Defining a spectrum of integrative trait‐based vegetation canopy structural types},
author = {Fahey, Robert T. and Atkins, Jeff W. and Gough, Christopher M. and Hardiman, Brady S. and Nave, Lucas E. and Tallant, Jason M. and Nadehoffer, Knute J. and Vogel, Christoph and Scheuermann, Cynthia M. and Stuart‐Haëntjens, Ellen and Haber, Lisa T. and Fotis, Alexander T. and Ricart, Raleigh and Curtis, Peter S. and Penuelas, ed., Josep},
abstractNote = {Abstract Vegetation canopy structure is a fundamental characteristic of terrestrial ecosystems that defines vegetation types and drives ecosystem functioning. We use the multivariate structural trait composition of vegetation canopies to classify ecosystems within a global canopy structure spectrum. Across the temperate forest sub‐set of this spectrum, we assess gradients in canopy structural traits, characterise canopy structural types (CST) and evaluate drivers and functional consequences of canopy structural variation. We derive CSTs from multivariate canopy structure data, illustrating variation along three primary structural axes and resolution into six largely distinct and functionally relevant CSTs. Our results illustrate that within‐ecosystem successional processes and disturbance legacies can produce variation in canopy structure similar to that associated with sub‐continental variation in forest types and eco‐climatic zones. The potential to classify ecosystems into CSTs based on suites of structural traits represents an important advance in understanding and modelling structure–function relationships in vegetated ecosystems.},
doi = {10.1111/ele.13388},
journal = {Ecology Letters},
number = 12,
volume = 22,
place = {United Kingdom},
year = {Mon Sep 16 00:00:00 EDT 2019},
month = {Mon Sep 16 00:00:00 EDT 2019}
}
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