Exploring how functional traits modulate species distributions along topographic gradients in Baxian Mountain, North China.

ABSTRACT: The associations between functional traits and species distributions across environments have attracted increasing interest from ecologists and can enhance knowledge about how plants respond to the environments. Here, we applied a hierarchical generalized linear model to quantifying the role of functional traits in plant occurrence across topographic gradients. Functional trait data, including specific leaf area, maximum height, seed mass and stem wood density, together with elevation, aspect and slope, were used in the model. In our results, species responses to elevation and aspect were modulated by maximum height and seed mass. Generally, shorter tree species showed positive responses to incremental elevation, while this trend became negative as the maximum height exceeded 22 m. Most tr

SUBMITTER: Tang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8770611 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature