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A generic structure for plant trait databases
Author(s) -
Kattge Jens,
Ogle Kiona,
Bönisch Gerhard,
Díaz Sandra,
Lavorel Sandra,
Madin Joshua,
Nadrowski Karin,
Nöllert Stephanie,
Sartor Karla,
Wirth Christian
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
methods in ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.425
H-Index - 105
ISSN - 2041-210X
DOI - 10.1111/j.2041-210x.2010.00067.x
Subject(s) - trait , database , blueprint , standardization , interdependence , computer science , population , data science , ecology , data mining , biology , engineering , mechanical engineering , law , political science , programming language , operating system , demography , sociology
Summary 1. Plant traits are fundamental for understanding and predicting vegetation responses to global changes, and they provide a promising basis towards a more quantitative and predictive approach to ecology. As a consequence, information on plant traits is rapidly accumulating, and there is a growing need for efficient database tools that enable the assembly and synthesis of trait data. 2. Plant traits are highly heterogeneous, exhibit a low degree of standardization and are linked and interdependent at various levels of biological organization: tissue, organ, plant and population. Therefore, they often require ancillary data for interpretation, including descriptors of the biotic and abiotic environment, methods and taxonomic relationships. 3. We introduce a generic database structure that is tailored to accommodate plant trait complexity and is consistent with current theoretical approaches to characterize the structure of observational data. The over‐arching utility of the proposed database structure is illustrated based on two independent plant trait database projects. 4. The generic database structure proposed here is meant to serve as a flexible blueprint for future plant trait databases, improving data discovery, and ensuring compatibility among them.