A comparative approach to predicting competitive ability from plant traits

Gaudet, C. L.; Keddy, Paul A.

doi:10.1038/334242a0

Cited by 671 publications

(540 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…We related competition performance to plant size, especially through the amount of aboveground volume occupied by a plant. We observed correlation coefficients of the same order as those recorded by Gaudet and Keddy [46] between plant traits and competitive ability with regard to 44 wetland plant species in the field (0.74). They were also similar to those observed by Keddy et al [41] between plant size and the predicted relative competitive performance of 63 pot-grown species of herbaceous plants, compared under two stress conditions (sufficient nutrients and water versus restricted space and nutrient availability, 0.74 and 0.69 respectively).…”

Section: The Use Of Competition Effects With a Simple Variable To Measupporting

confidence: 68%

An Index of Competition Reduces Statistical Variability and Improves Comparisons between Genotypes of Miscanthus

et al. 2012

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It is important for breeders and producers to be aware of competition effects for variety trials. We aimed at developing an index of competition to reduce statistical variability in field trials and improve comparisons between genotypes of Miscanthus. Twenty-one clones belonging to four species of Miscanthus (M. x giganteus, M. floridulus, M. sinensis, and M. sacchariflorus) planted at the same density were compared at two harvest dates during the second and third crop years. Aboveground volume was shown to be a good predictor of the aboveground biomass of the clones, and was analysed for the competition effect. The best competition index was the ground area occupied by the eight neighbour plants, among the four indices defined as covariates in the statistical models. It reduced the root mean square error of the aboveground volume by as much as 17 %, explaining up to 36 % of the residual error of the model. Our results then concerned the contribution of intragenotypic competition of Miscanthus to the variability between plants of a same clone during field trials, the relationship between competition ability and plant traits, and the comparison of genotypes regarding this competition. All clones showed negative competition sensitivities depending on harvest date, crop year, and clone. The competition effects lead to reduction in mean aboveground volume by up to 17 %. Competition sensitivities were strongly correlated with aboveground development (height and yield) in both crop years, whatever the harvest dates. In Miscanthus field trials, using a competition index may help to reduce statistical variability and improve comparisons between genotypes.

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Section: The Use Of Competition Effects With a Simple Variable To Measupporting

confidence: 68%

An Index of Competition Reduces Statistical Variability and Improves Comparisons between Genotypes of Miscanthus

et al. 2012

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“…References on theory, significance and large datasets: Gaudet and Keddy (1988); ; Hirose and Werger (1995); Thomas (1996); Westoby (1998); Kohyama et al (2003); King et al (2006); ; Moles et al (2009).…”

Section: Special Cases or Extrasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Corrigendum to: New handbook for standardised measurement of plant functional traits worldwide

Pérez‐Harguindeguy¹,

Díaz²,

Garnier³

et al. 2016

Aust. J. Bot.

492

302

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The authors regret that elements of Appendix 1 were incorrect in the original publication. The correct version of Appendix 1 is given below. Appendix 1. Summary of plant traits Summary of plant traits included in the handbookThe range of values corresponds to those generally reported for field-grown plants. Ranges of values are based on the literature and the authors' datasets and do not always necessarily correspond to the widest ranges that exist in nature or are theoretically possible. Recommended sample size indicates the minimum and preferred number of individuals to be sampled, so as to obtain an appropriate indication of the values for the trait of interest; when only one value is given, it corresponds to the number of individuals ( = replicates); when two values are given, the first one corresponds to the number of individuals and the second one to the number of organs to be measured per individual. Note that one replicate can be compounded from several individuals (for smaller species), whereas one individual cannot be used for different replicates. The expected coefficient of variation (CV) range gives the 20th and the 80th percentile of the CV ( = s.d. scaled to the mean) as observed in several datasets obtained for a range of field plants for different biomes. Numbering of plant traits corresponds with the numbering of the chapters in the handbook Abstract. Plant functional traits are the features (morphological, physiological, phenological) that represent ecological strategies and determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels and influence ecosystem properties. Variation in plant functional traits, and trait syndromes, has proven useful for tackling many important ecological questions at a range of scales, giving rise to a demand for standardised ways to measure ecologically meaningful plant traits. This line of research has been among the most fruitful avenues for understanding ecological and evolutionary patterns and processes. It also has the potential both to build a predictive set of local, regional and global relationships between plants and environment and to quantify a wide range of natural and human-driven processes, including changes in biodiversity, the impacts of species invasions, alterations in biogeochemical processes and vegetation-atmosphere interactions. The importance of these topics dictates the urgent need for more and better data, and increases the value of standardised protocols for quantifying trait variation of different species, in particular for traits with power to predict plant-and ecosystemlevel processes, and for traits that can be measured relatively easily. Updated and expanded from the widely used previous version, this handbook retains the focus on clearly presented, widely applicable, step-by-step recipes, with a minimum of text on theory, and not only includes updated methods for the traits previously covered, but also introduces many new protocols for further traits. This new handbook has a better balance between whole-plant ...

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“…One of these axes will concern the capacity for competitive dominance and will consist largely, if not entirely, of plant size (Gaudet & Keddy, 1988 ;Hodgson et al, 1999). Another axis might concern response to disturbance.…”

Section: mentioning

confidence: 99%

Specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content as alternative predictors of plant strategies

1999

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A key element of most recently proposed plant strategy schemes is an axis of resource capture, usage and availability. In the search for a simple, robust plant trait (or traits) that will allow plants to be located on this axis, specific leaf area is one of the leading contenders. Using a large new unpublished database, we examine the variability of specific leaf area and other leaf traits, the relationships between them, and their ability to predict position on the resource use axis. Specific leaf area is found to suffer from a number of drawbacks ; it is both very variable between replicates and much influenced by leaf thickness. Leaf dry-matter content (sometimes referred to as tissue density) is much less variable, largely independent of leaf thickness and a better predictor of location on an axis of resource capture, usage and availability. However, it is not clear how useful dry matter content will be outside northwest Europe, and in particular in dry climates with many succulents.

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A comparative approach to predicting competitive ability from plant traits

Cited by 671 publications

References 21 publications

An Index of Competition Reduces Statistical Variability and Improves Comparisons between Genotypes of Miscanthus

An Index of Competition Reduces Statistical Variability and Improves Comparisons between Genotypes of Miscanthus

Corrigendum to: New handbook for standardised measurement of plant functional traits worldwide

Specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content as alternative predictors of plant strategies

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