Plant functional traits capture species richness variations along a flooding gradient

摘要: Local species coexistence is the outcome of abiotic and biotic filtering processes which sort according to their trait values. However, capacity trait-based approaches predict variation in realized richness remains be investigated. In this study, we asked whether a limited number plant functional traits, related leaf-height-seed strategy scheme averaged at community level, able over flooding disturbance gradient. We further investigated how these mean traits are quantify strength involved - productivity diversity relationship. thus tested proposal that deviation between fundamental richness, assessed from ecological niche-based models, i.e. field-observed controlled by interactions. Flooding regime was determined using detailed hydrological model. A precise vegetation sampling performed across 222 quadrats located throughout Three core were considered: specific leaf area (SLA), height seed mass. Species showed hump-shaped response productivity, but better predicted only two traits: SLA height. On one hand, increased with fl ooding, relationship through habitat filtering. other interactions, captured values, played strong consistent role gradient reducing local richness. Our study highlights simple, quantitative, easily measurable can capture scale provides promising quantification key assembly mechanisms.