Global trade-offs in tree functional traits
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Abstract
A bstract Due to massive energetic investments in woody support structures, trees are subject to unique physiological, mechanical, and ecological pressures not experienced by herbaceous plants. When considering trait relationships across the entire plant kingdom, plant trait frameworks typically must omit traits unique to large woody species, thereby limiting our understanding of how these distinct ecological pressures shape trait relationships in trees. Here, by considering 18 functional traits—reflecting leaf economics, wood structure, tree size, reproduction, and below-ground allocation—we quantify the major axes of variation governing trait expression of trees worldwide. We show that trait variation within and across angiosperms and gymnosperms is captured by two independent processes: one reflecting tree size and competition for light, the other reflecting leaf photosynthetic capacity and nutrient economies. By exploring multidimensional relationships across clusters of traits, we further identify a representative set of seven traits which captures the majority of variation in form and function in trees: maximum tree height, stem conduit diameter, specific leaf area, seed mass, bark thickness, root depth, and wood density. Collectively, this work informs future trait-based research into the functional biogeography of trees, and contributes to our fundamental understanding of the ecological and evolutionary controls on forest biodiversity and productivity worldwide.
Authors 30
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Daniel S. Maynard corresponding
ETH Zurich · Institute of Integrative Biology
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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ETH Zurich · Institute of Integrative Biology
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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ETH Zurich · Institute of Integrative Biology
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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ETH Zurich · Institute of Integrative Biology
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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ETH Zurich · Institute of Integrative Biology
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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ETH Zurich · Institute of Integrative Biology
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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ETH Zurich · Institute of Integrative Biology
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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ETH Zurich · Institute of Integrative Biology · Stanford University
Affiliation as printed
Department of Biology, Stanford University
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich
Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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Canadian Forest Service · Natural Resources Canada
Affiliation as printed
Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre
Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A 2E5, Canada
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University of Oxford · Lancaster University
Affiliation as printed
Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford
Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University
Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Aquatic Ecology & Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University
Department of Aquatic Ecology & Environmental Biology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Geography, King’s College London
Department of Geography, King's College London, 30 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BG, UK
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Biotechnologies and Life Sciences (DBSV), University of Insubria
Department of Biotechnologies and Life Sciences (DBSV), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
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Affiliation as printed
Goethe University, Institute for Physical Geography
Goethe University, Institute for Physical Geography, Altenhöferallee 1, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Biology Department, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Universidad del Rosario
Biology Department, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Universidad del Rosario. Avenida carrera 24 # 63C-69. Bogotá, Colombia
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Affiliation as printed
Institute of Botany, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
Institute of Botany, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor Mendel St. 33, 90 Vienna, Austria
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Affiliation as printed
Environmental Research Institute, University of Waikato
Environmental Research Institute, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
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Affiliation as printed
Faculty of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University
Faculty of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, 79-7 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya, Yokohama, 240-8501, Japan
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Estonian University of Life Sciences
Affiliation as printed
Chair of Crop Science and Plant Biology, Estonian University of Life Sciences
Chair of Crop Science and Plant Biology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu 51006, Estonia
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Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Affiliation as printed
Department of Ecology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Department of Ecology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 901-970, Brazil
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Instituto de Ecología · Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Affiliation as printed
Laboratorio Nacional de Ciencias de la Sostenibilidad, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Laboratorio Nacional de Ciencias de la Sostenibilidad, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 70-275, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
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Affiliation as printed
Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim
Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim, Ottilie-Zeller-Weg 2, D-70599 Stuttgart, Germany
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Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Affiliation as printed
Komarov Botanical Institute
Komarov Botanical Institute, Prof. Popov str., 2, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia
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Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina
Affiliation as printed
Department of Forestry, Santa Catarina State University
Department of Forestry, Santa Catarina State University, 88520-000, Lages, SC, Brazil
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Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
Affiliation as printed
Embrapa Clima Temperado
Embrapa Clima Temperado, Pelotas, RS, Brazil, 96010-971
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Affiliation as printed
Institute of Environmental Science, Leiden University
Institute of Environmental Science, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands
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University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
Affiliation as printed
Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI 54702 USA
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Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry
Affiliation as printed
Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry
Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, 07745 Jena, Germany
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German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research
Affiliation as printed
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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ETH Zurich · Institute of Integrative Biology
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich
Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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