Functional traits - morphological, physiological, or phenological characteristics that influence plant fitness - are pivotal for understanding how plants adapt to environmental constraints and allocate limited resources [1]. Functional ecology aims to uncover generalizable principles that govern plant performance, community assembly, and ecosystem functioning across spatial and temporal scales. Among the most influential frameworks in this field is the Leaf Economics Spectrum (LES), which captures trade-offs in leaf traits along a continuum from resource-acquisitive (e.g., high SLA, high nutrient content) to resource-conservative strategies. The LES has proven valuable for predicting plant behavior across biomes and linking trait variation to ecosystem-level processes [2]. More recently, this conceptual model has been extended to belowground organs, culminating in the Root Economic Space (RES), which describes the multidimensional coordination of fine-root traits. In particular, the RES introduces a novel fungal collaboration gradient alongside the traditional acquisitive-conservative gradient of resource-use strategies [3]. As the field moves toward a whole-plant perspective, growing attention is being paid to the Seed and Flower Functional Spaces. These frameworks emphasize the ecological and evolutionary relevance of reproductive traits. Exploring how investments in seed mass, dispersal strategies, floral morphology, and phenology integrate with vegetative traits holds the potential to pioneer new directions in trait-based ecology [4, 5]. In summary, the development of a comprehensive "whole-plant economics" framework - including leaves, roots, flowers, fruits, and seeds - promises to enhance our understanding of plant ecological strategies [6]. This unified approach may reveal critical insights into plant adaptation and persistence across diverse habitats, particularly in the context of environmental disturbances and climate change.
TRADE-OFFS IN PLANT ECOLOGICAL STRATEGIES: BETWEEN ESTABLISHED PARADIGMS AND NEW FRONTIERS
Ciccarelli D.
Primo
2025-01-01
Abstract
Functional traits - morphological, physiological, or phenological characteristics that influence plant fitness - are pivotal for understanding how plants adapt to environmental constraints and allocate limited resources [1]. Functional ecology aims to uncover generalizable principles that govern plant performance, community assembly, and ecosystem functioning across spatial and temporal scales. Among the most influential frameworks in this field is the Leaf Economics Spectrum (LES), which captures trade-offs in leaf traits along a continuum from resource-acquisitive (e.g., high SLA, high nutrient content) to resource-conservative strategies. The LES has proven valuable for predicting plant behavior across biomes and linking trait variation to ecosystem-level processes [2]. More recently, this conceptual model has been extended to belowground organs, culminating in the Root Economic Space (RES), which describes the multidimensional coordination of fine-root traits. In particular, the RES introduces a novel fungal collaboration gradient alongside the traditional acquisitive-conservative gradient of resource-use strategies [3]. As the field moves toward a whole-plant perspective, growing attention is being paid to the Seed and Flower Functional Spaces. These frameworks emphasize the ecological and evolutionary relevance of reproductive traits. Exploring how investments in seed mass, dispersal strategies, floral morphology, and phenology integrate with vegetative traits holds the potential to pioneer new directions in trait-based ecology [4, 5]. In summary, the development of a comprehensive "whole-plant economics" framework - including leaves, roots, flowers, fruits, and seeds - promises to enhance our understanding of plant ecological strategies [6]. This unified approach may reveal critical insights into plant adaptation and persistence across diverse habitats, particularly in the context of environmental disturbances and climate change.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
