Plant Functional Niches in Forests Across Four Climatic Zones: Exploring the Periodic Table of Niches Based on Plant Functional Traits.

摘要: Previous studies have indicated that a niche variation scheme, similar to the periodic table of elements, can be constructed based on functional traits. The niches for species is defined as multidimensional ordination scheme relationships and their orders in specific biotic community. Comparing trait-based extremely useful theoretical plant ecological strategies, community assembly, geographic differentiation biomes across different climatic zones. Here, data 11 traits belonging three fundamental dimensions (leaf economy, mechanical support, reproductive phenology) were compiled 215 woody from forests four zones (tropical, subtropical, warm-temperate, cold-temperate). We plants communities explored variations among biomes. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed derive dominant gradients trait combinations each individual dimensional dataset. Then scores first two axes (PC1 PC2) used inputs second PCA ordinate continuous space constrained by dimensions. Changes along PC1 PC2 examined scores. Leaf economy dimension space, followed support. Considerable convergences found biome, except cold-temperate forest. varied mainly with increasing leaf area/decreasing stem tissue density PC1, decrease area/plant size tropical temperate forests, suggesting strategies changed conservative acquisitive an increase latitude. Our results confirmed does exist major composed effectively reflects changes