Is phylogenetic diversity a good proxy for functional diversity of plant communities? A case study from urban habitats
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2016 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Journal of Vegetation Science |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvs.12414/abstract |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jvs.12414 |
| Field | Botany |
| Keywords | Central Europe; City; Community assembly; Competitiveness; Dispersal strategy; Niche preferences; Species traits; Urban habitats |
| Description | Question: It is often assumed, but poorly tested, that patterns of phylogenetic diversity reflect functional diversity in plant communities. Here we test whether phylogeny can be used as a proxy for functional diversity in general and specifically for diversity in plant niche preferences, dispersal strategies and competitiveness- related traits. Location: Central Europe, Belgiumand the Netherlands. Methods: We used a species composition data set from seven urban habitats, each sampled in 32 large cities of ten countries, and combined thiswith information about species phylogeny and functional traits, the latter divided into categories representing niche preferences, dispersal strategies and competitiveness. Results: We found positive significant, yet very weak, relationships between phylogenetic diversity and overall functional diversity, and between phylogenetic diversity and diversity in both species dispersal strategies and competitiveness. The relationship between phylogenetic diversity and diversity in species niche preferences was not significant. Conclusions: We suggest that the combination of multiple trait states that coexist in urban plant communities and even within the same lineages weakens the phylogeny–function relationship. Phylogenetic diversity is a weak proxy for functional diversity of urban plant communities. For some facets of functional diversity, the phylogeny–function relationshipmay not apply at all. |
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