Mapping functional diversity from remotely sensed morphological and physiological forest traits.

ABSTRACT: Assessing functional diversity from space can help predict productivity and stability of forest ecosystems at global scale using biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. We present a new spatially continuous method to map regional patterns of tree functional diversity using combined laser scanning and imaging spectroscopy. The method does not require prior taxonomic information and integrates variation in plant functional traits between and within plant species. We compare our method with leaf-level field measurements and species-level plot inventory data and find reasonable agreement. Morphological and physiological diversity show consistent change with topography and soil, with low functional richness at a mountain ridge under specific environmental conditions. Overall, function

SUBMITTER: Schneider FD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5682291 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature