Bringing light onto the Raunkiæran shortfall: A comprehensive review of traits used in functional animal ecology.

ABSTRACT: Trait-based approaches elucidate the mechanisms underlying biodiversity response to, or effects on, the environment. Nevertheless, the Raunkiæran shortfall-the dearth of knowledge on species traits and their functionality-presents a challenge in the application of these approaches. We conducted a systematic review to investigate the trends and gaps in trait-based animal ecology in terms of taxonomic resolution, trait selection, ecosystem type, and geographical region. In addition, we suggest a set of crucial steps to guide trait selection and aid future research to conduct within and cross-taxon comparisons. We identified 1655 articles using virtually all animal groups published from 1999 to 2020. Studies were concentrated in vertebrates, terrestrial habitats, the Palearctic realm, and mos

SUBMITTER: Goncalves-Souza T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10115901 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature