Plant functional types: are we getting any closer to the Holy Grail?

LAVOREL, S., DÍAZ, S. CORNELISSEN, H. GARNIER, E., HARRISON, S.P., MCINTYRE, S., PAUSAS, J.G., PÉREZ-HARGUINDEGUY, N., ROUMET C. & URCELAY, C.

Terrestrial Ecosystems in a Changing World

Springer-Verlag

Año: 2007; p. 149 - 160

Functional classifications have been seen as a necessary tool for the simplification of floristic complexity in global vegetation models, for mapping vegetation patterns at key times in the past, and for monitoring effects of global change or management on vegetation distribution and ecosystem processes. Plant functional classifications were first designed by grouping plants a priori based on knowledge of their function, or based on observed correlations among their morphological, physiological, biochemical, reproductive or demographic characteristics. It was assumed that these classifications would allow to predict changes in ecosystem processes directly from projected changes in plant species composition in response to global change. This idea was challenged by the recognition that functional effect groups (species with a similar effect on one or several ecosystem functions; e.g. primary productivity, nutrient cycling) and functional response groups (groups of species with a similar response to a particular environmental factor; e.g. resource availability, disturbance or CO2) do not necessarily coincide. Although there have been sustained efforts to refine plant functional type (PFT) concepts and terminology , the search for a single, functionally comprehensive yet relatively parsimonious, plant functional classification has remained an elusive Holy Grail.