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A research agenda for seed‐trait functional ecology
Author(s) -
Saatkamp Arne,
Cochrane Anne,
Commander Lucy,
Guja Lydia K. ,
JimenezAlfaro Borja,
Larson Julie,
Nicotra Adrienne ,
Poschlod Peter,
Silveira Fernando A. O.,
Cross Adam T.,
Dalziell Emma L.,
Dickie John,
Erickson Todd E.,
Fidelis Alessandra,
Fuchs Anne,
Golos Peter J.,
Hope Michael,
Lewandrowski Wolfgang,
Merritt David J.,
Miller Ben P.,
Miller Russell G. ,
Offord Catherine A.,
Ooi Mark K. J.,
Satyanti Annisa ,
Sommerville Karen D.,
Tangney Ryan,
Tomlinson Sean ,
Turner Shane,
Walck Jeffrey L.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.15502
Subject(s) - ecology , trait , biology , functional ecology , evolutionary ecology , seed dispersal , biological dispersal , ecological niche , community , functional diversity , population , ecosystem , sociology , programming language , host (biology) , demography , habitat , computer science
Summary Trait‐based approaches have improved our understanding of plant evolution, community assembly and ecosystem functioning. A major challenge for the upcoming decades is to understand the functions and evolution of early life‐history traits, across levels of organization and ecological strategies. Although a variety of seed traits are critical for dispersal, persistence, germination timing and seedling establishment, only seed mass has been considered systematically. Here we suggest broadening the range of morphological, physiological and biochemical seed traits to add new understanding on plant niches, population dynamics and community assembly. The diversity of seed traits and functions provides an important challenge that will require international collaboration in three areas of research. First, we present a conceptual framework for a seed ecological spectrum that builds upon current understanding of plant niches. We then lay the foundation for a seed‐trait functional network, the establishment of which will underpin and facilitate trait‐based inferences. Finally, we anticipate novel insights and challenges associated with incorporating diverse seed traits into predictive evolutionary ecology, community ecology and applied ecology. If the community invests in standardized seed‐trait collection and the implementation of rigorous databases, major strides can be made at this exciting frontier of functional ecology.