Handbook of standardized protocols for collecting plant modularity traits

Plant modularity traits relevant to functions of on-spot persistence, space occupancy, resprouting after disturbance, as well as resource storage, sharing, and foraging have been underrepresented in functional ecology so far. This knowledge gap exists for multiple reasons. First, these functions and related traits have been considered less important than others (e.g., resource economics, organ-based traits). Second, collecting data for modularity traits can be difficult. Third, as a consequence of the previous points, there is a lack of standardized collection protocols. We now feel the time is ripe to provide a solid conceptual and terminological framework together with comparable protocols for plant modularity traits that can be applicable across species, regions and biomes. We identify a suite of 14 key traits, which are assembled into five groups. We discuss the functional relevance of each trait, supplying effective guidelines to assist in the use and selection of the most suitable traits in relation to specific research tasks. Finally, we are convinced that the systematic study and widespread assessment of plant modularity traits could bridge this knowledge gap. As a result, previously overlooked key functions could be incorporated into the functional ecology research-agenda, thus providing a more comprehensive understanding of plant and ecosystem functioning.Fil: Klimešová, Jitka. Charles University; República Checa. Czech Academy of Sciences. Institute of Botany; República ChecaFil: Martínková, Jana. Czech Academy of Sciences. Institute of Botany; República ChecaFil: Pausas Garcia, Juli. Universidad de Valencia. Centro de Investigaciones Sobre la Desertificacion.; EspañaFil: Gomes de Moraes, Moemy. Universidade Federal de Goiás; BrasilFil: Herben, Tomáš. Czech Academy of Sciences; República Checa. Charles University; República ChecaFil: Yu, Fei Hai. Taizhou University; ChinaFil: Puntieri, Javier Guido. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Sede Andina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Recursos Naturales, Agroecología y Desarrollo Rural; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; ArgentinaFil: Vesk, Peter A.. University of Melbourne; AustraliaFil: de Bello, Francesco. Czech Academy of Sciences. Institute of Botany; República Checa. Universidad de Valencia. Centro de Investigaciones Sobre la Desertificacion.; España. University of South Bohemia; República ChecaFil: Janeček, Štěpán. Czech Academy of Sciences. Institute of Botany; República Checa. Charles University; República ChecaFil: Altman, Jan. Czech Academy of Sciences. Institute of Botany; República ChecaFil: Appezzato da Glória, Beatriz. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Bartušková, Alena. Czech Academy of Sciences. Institute of Botany; República ChecaFil: Crivellaro, Alan. Università di Padova; Italia. University of Cambridge; Reino UnidoFil: Doleža, Jiři. Czech Academy of Sciences. Institute of Botany; República Checa. University of South Bohemia; República ChecaFil: Ott, Jacqueline P.. Forest and Grassland Research Laboratory, US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, South Dakota; Estados UnidosFil: Paula, Susana. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Schnablová, Renáta. Czech Academy of Sciences. Institute of Experimental Botany; República ChecaFil: Schweingruber, Fritz Hans. Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf; SuizaFil: Ottaviani, Gianluigi. Czech Academy of Sciences. Institute of Experimental Botany; República Chec