A new practical tool for deriving a functional signature for herbaceous vegetation

Abstract

Hypothesis: For any one time and place a 'functional signature' can be derived for a sample of herbaceous vegetation in a way that concisely represents the balance between the different clusters of functional attributes that are present among component species. Methods: We developed a spreadsheet-based tool for calculating functional signatures within the context of the C-S-R system of plant functional types. We used the tool to calculate and compare signatures for specimen British vegetation samples which differed in management regime and location in time. Conclusion:The integrative power of the 'C-S-R signature' is useful in comparative studies involving widely differing samples. Movements in the signature can be used to indicate degree of resistance, resilience, eutrophication and dereliction. Systems of plant functional types other than C-S-R might also be approached in this way. Availability: The tool can be downloaded free of charge from the first author's web pages or from the journal's electronic archive.

Competitive, stress-tolerant and ruderal based classification of some plant species in an Alpine community of the Giresun Mountains in Turkey

“…Thus, under these conditions the functional strategy of a species may change within CSR space. Similar results were reported by Hunt et al (2004), Çakır et al (2010), Kılınç et al (2010), andHüseyinova et al (2013). Therefore, it is difficult to state that one species exhibits same strategy in all the habitats.…”

Naturally recruited herbaceous vegetation in abandoned Belgian limestone quarries: towards habitats of conservation interest analogues?

“…If the species was not present in that spreadsheet, the BiolFlor database (Klotz et al 2002) was used. All 413 CSR positions for vegetation plots (quarry plots, n = 360 and reference plots, n = 53) were calculated from percent cover data for all the species in each plot, using the spreadsheet-based tools from Hunt et al (2004). In order to compare those 413 CSR signatures, they were plotted in a CSR triangle by using the 'compositions' package of van den Boogaart et al (2013).…”

“…In addition, using predictions based on the taxonomic level alone may not allow one to detect differences in functional ecological patterns (Keddy 1992;Körner 1993). However, a functional-type analysis can also be used to compare plant assemblages and can complement a species-based approach (Walker 1992), still allowing to compare communities that differ in species composition (Hunt et al 2004). A recognized way to isolate those patterns and to answer other ecological questions is by using predictions based on plant functional groups, such as Grime's competitor, stress tolerator and ruderal plant strategies (CSR) classification scheme (Diaz et al 1992;Keddy 1992).…”

The effect of dominant species on numbers and agę structure of Iris sibirica L. population on blue moor-grass meadow in southern Poland

“…In Stanis³awice, these are tall perennial plants with fleshy and deeply rooted rhizomes and perennials forming large compact tussocks. According to Grimes classification (Hunt et al 2004) these species are characterised by C--type strategies (Phragmites australis, Chamanerion angustifolium, Epilobium hirsutum), C/CSR (Lythrym salicaria), C/SC (Juncus conglomeratus), CSR (Valeriana officinalis), and SC-type strategies (Molinia carulaea). In the Opatkowice site prevailed plants of a less competitive potential.…”