Trait-based modelling in ecology: A review of two decades of research

Zakharova, Liubov; Meyer, Katrin; Seifan, Merav

doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2019.05.008

Cited by 108 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 237 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Over the last decades, there has been an increase in trait-based analyses and modelling, both in ecology in general [1] and in weed ecology in particular [2,3] followed by a debate on the importance and implications of intra-specific trait variability. Initially, the assumption of many trait-based approaches was that intra-specific variability is negligible compared to the inter-specific (between-species) variability, and that species can be characterised by mean trait values [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Populations of arable weed species show intra-specific variability in germination base temperature but not in early growth rate

Bürger¹,

Malyshev²,

Colbach³

2020

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Key plant traits affecting growth performance can differ among and within species, influencing competitive plant community dynamics. We determined the intra-specific variability of germination base temperature among 13 arable weed species and the seedlings' early post-emergence relative growth rate among 21 species in climate chamber and green house experiments. Intra-specific variability was quantified with two seed populations (originating from contrasting climate in Germany & France) for the germination base temperature of 6 species and for the early growth rate of 16 species. Inter-specific variability for both traits was always higher than intra-specific variability. Within a given species, we found that germination base temperatures were higher in seeds stemming from colder climate populations. Seedling relative growth rates did not differ between seed populations. Models simulating weed growth should reflect these differences in germination traits among populations, especially when they are used for weed community assembly studies in a local to regional extent.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This must be accounted for in trait-based approaches in weed ecology to make them widely usable and valid in a more general context. Existing trait databases are extensive sources for trait information, but they are usually of limited use when it comes to intra-specific trait variation under variable environmental settings [1,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Populations of arable weed species show intra-specific variability in germination base temperature but not in early growth rate

Bürger¹,

Malyshev²,

Colbach³

2020

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Species traits are widely used in theoretical and applied ecology (Dolédec & Statzner, ; Frimpong & Angermeier, ) and evolutionary research (Pyron, Williams, Beugly, & Jacquemin, ; Violle et al, ), often replacing strictly species‐based approaches (Menezes, Baird, & Soares, ; Moretti et al, ; Zakharova, Meyer, & Seifan, ). Trait‐based approaches offer advantages in quantifying and predicting impacts of disturbances on communities (Mouillot, Graham, Villéger, Mason, & Bellwood, ) and ecosystem processes and functioning (Naeem, Duffy, & Zavaleta, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reliability analysis of fish traits reveals discrepancies among databases

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Trait‐based approaches are commonly used in ecology to understand the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, environmental filtering or biotic responses to anthropogenic perturbations. However, little is known about the reliability of assigned traits and the consistency of trait information among different databases currently in use. Using 99 native and alien Iberian inland fish species, we investigated a total of 27 biological and ecological traits for their consistency among 19 different databases and identified less reliable traits, that is, traits with high disagreement among databases. Specifically, we used generalised linear models and inter‐rater reliability statistics (Krippendorff's α) to test for differences in trait values among databases. We also identified well‐studied versus data‐deficient traits and species. Our results show notable discrepancies and low reliability for several biological and ecological traits such as microhabitat preference, omnivory, invertivory, rheophily, and limnophily. Least reliable traits were mainly categorical (rather than continuous) and established by expert judgment and without a clear definition or a common methodology. Interestingly, categorical traits such as rheophily or limnophily, which showed significantly lower reliability, concurrently showed higher data availability and use than continuously scaled traits. Such uncertainties in trait assignments could affect bioassessment and other ecological analyses. Species with smaller distributional ranges and those that have been described more recently, presented lower coverage and data availability in trait databases. We encourage further standardisation of fish trait measurement protocols to help improve the robust application of bioassessment indices and trait‐based approaches.

show abstract

“…Trait-based approaches (eventually combined with demographic approaches) have been used in conceptual, statistical, equation-based, and agent-based models to address diverse theoretical and practical questions ( Zakharova et al, 2019 ). Agent-based approaches are particularly suited to simulate coral-community dynamics as a function of diversity, functional traits and demography because ( i ) spatial processes can easily be implemented explicitly, ( ii ) it is possible to describe the functional (by implementing effect, resistance, and recovery traits) and demographic (by implementing age or size-related fecundity and survival effects on ecosystem functions) characteristics of each individual in the community, and ( iii ) they are flexible and adaptable frameworks that can implement different types of submodels (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining agent-based, trait-based and demographic approaches to model coral-community dynamics

Carturan

Pither

Maréchal³

et al. 2020

eLife

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The complexity of coral-reef ecosystems makes it challenging to predict their dynamics and resilience under future disturbance regimes. Models for coral-reef dynamics do not adequately account for the high functional diversity exhibited by corals. Models that are ecologically and mechanistically detailed are therefore required to simulate the ecological processes driving coral reef dynamics. Here we describe a novel model that includes processes at different spatial scales, and the contribution of species’ functional diversity to benthic-community dynamics. We calibrated and validated the model to reproduce observed dynamics using empirical data from Caribbean reefs. The model exhibits realistic community dynamics, and individual population dynamics are ecologically plausible. A global sensitivity analysis revealed that the number of larvae produced locally, and interaction-induced reductions in growth rate are the parameters with the largest influence on community dynamics. The model provides a platform for virtual experiments to explore diversity-functioning relationships in coral reefs.

show abstract

Trait-based modelling in ecology: A review of two decades of research

Cited by 108 publications

References 237 publications

Populations of arable weed species show intra-specific variability in germination base temperature but not in early growth rate

Populations of arable weed species show intra-specific variability in germination base temperature but not in early growth rate

Reliability analysis of fish traits reveals discrepancies among databases

Combining agent-based, trait-based and demographic approaches to model coral-community dynamics

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About