Techreport,
Functional traits underlie the delivery of ecosystem services across different trophic levels
The RUBICODE Project. Rationalising Biodiversity Conservation in, (2008)
Abstract
Functional traits of organisms can serve as tools for predicting and
quantifying ecosystem
service delivery in response to biodiversity loss. We collected published
studies (~250)
proving effects of functional traits on various ecosystem services,
and the underlying
ecosystem processes, across different trophic levels. The majority
of studies considered plants
and soil invertebrates, but relationships have been documented for
a range of other organisms
and habitats. Within each trophic level, specific processes and services
are affected by a
combination of traits. At the same time, particular traits are involved
simultaneously in the
control of different processes, resulting in predictable clusters
of traits and services. Particular
associations were shown between traits of plants and soil organisms
that underlie ecosystem
nutrient economy, herbivory control and fodder and fibre production.
The review
demonstrates the potential for integrating the functional traits approach
into predictive models
of ecosystem services and providing a common currency for multiple
service delivery
assessments.
