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Updated: May 27, 2026
11:09
Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits
Published on: October 12, 2015
Plant functional traits with particular reference to tropical deciduous forests: a review
R K Chaturvedi1, A S Raghubanshi, J S Singh
1Ecosystems Analysis Laboratory, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India. ravikantchaturvedi10@gmail.com
Journal of Biosciences
|November 26, 2011
Summary
This study explores functional traits (FTs) crucial for plant success in dry tropical environments, aiding in classifying plant functional types (PFTs) for ecosystem function prediction.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Plant Biology
- Forest Science
Background:
- Functional traits (FTs) link species' ecological and evolutionary history to ecosystem functioning.
- Studying inter-specific FT variation helps classify plant functional types (PFTs).
- Understanding FTs is key to predicting ecosystem responses to changing species composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and discuss functional traits (FTs) vital for species success in dry tropical environments.
- To categorize relevant FTs for tropical deciduous forests (TDFs), including leaf, stem, root, reproductive, and water-related traits.
- To compile quantitative data on FTs of dry tropical forest species and discuss trait-based PFT classification.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and compilation of existing quantitative information on functional traits.
- Categorization of traits into leaf, stem/root, reproductive, and water availability groups.
- Discussion of trait-based grouping of plants into PFTs.
Main Results:
- Identified key functional traits enabling plant success in dry tropical environments.
- Compiled quantitative data on FTs for dry tropical forest species.
- Discussed the application of FTs for PFT classification.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed on FTs and PFTs in TDFs to predict forest dynamics under disturbance and climate change.
- Establishing correlations between structural/ecophysiological traits and ecosystem functioning is essential for predicting ecosystem service changes.
- FTs provide a framework for understanding plant adaptation and ecosystem response in tropical deciduous forests.
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