Subproject 3: Plant traits and functional diversity
Functional diversity in a subtropical forest based on anatomical and morphological species traits
PI: Helge Bruelheide, Prof. Dr. (University of Halle)
Co-PI: Erik Welk, Dr. (University of Halle), Christian Wirth, Dr. (MPI Jena)
Summary
In the forest Biodiversity–Ecosystem Functioning (BEF) experiment traits of tree and shrub species will be analysed with the aim to use them both as predictor and response variables. Traits for prediction of ecosystem functioning will be used to quantify the functional diversity of plots and to explore the existence of functional groups. Then, functional diversity, in addition to species richness, will be used as alternative explanatory variable for biodiversity effects. Response traits will be analysed as a function of species richness and species composition of the experimental ecosystems in later stages of the project. Because little is known about the species in this experiment, trait analysis is a necessity but also a challenge. Compiling a comprehensive trait dataset of all 48 tree and 48 shrub species at different ontogenetic stages and under different environmental conditions (light, diversity of neighbours) will be accomplished in close cooperation with the Chinese partner Dr. Shouren Zhang. Whereas the Chinese partner project will focus on ecophysiological traits, the present subproject will concentrate mainly on morphological and anatomical traits. All traits will be analysed for the degree of divergence between species within the two groups, trees and shrubs. Furthermore, multivariate relationships and trade-offs between traits among and within species will be analysed. In the first phase of the project, species traits will be analysed on adult tree and shrub individuals in the Comparative Study Plots (CSPs), on seedlings in the nursery and on saplings in the Main Experiment. In addition, experiments manipulating the light conditions will be set up in the field and the glasshouse.
Objectives
This subproject, together with its Chinese partner project of Dr. Shouren Zhang, will assemble and analyze trait data of all tree and shrub species for the entire project.
This subproject, together with its Chinese partner project of Dr. Shouren Zhang, will assemble and analyze trait data of all tree and shrub species for the entire project. The subproject will start with the readily available adult tree and shrub individuals in the Comparative Study Plots (CSPs) (1). In parallel, the nursery will be used to analyse traits of seedlings and, after planting of trees and shrubs, of traits of saplings in the Main Experiment (2). The Main Experiment will also be used to analyse diversity effects on traits (3). In addition, experiments manipulating light and nutrient conditions will be set up in the glasshouse (4).
These different approaches contribute to answer the following objectives:
1. How are species traits related to the different successional stages in the Comparative Study Plots?
2. How are the traits of juveniles related to those of adults?
3. How are species traits influenced by the diversity of neighbours in the Main Experiment?
4. How do light and nutrient supply affect trait relationships?