Aboveground plant community pattern and the role of plant traits for community processes

在这个项目中，我们的目标是综合具有群落特征(过程)的物种的功能属性(特征)的数据，作为机械地理解植物物种多样性对生态系统功能的重要性的基础。特别是，目标是将植物种群的物种生理和形态特征以及人口统计过程与植物群落属性联系起来。将讨论以下目标：(1)植物群落组成的时间变化，(2)植物功能特征及其与群落属性的关系，(3)物种可塑性对生物多样性的重要性--生态系统功能关系，以及(4)将植物特征纳入物种优势和互补的概念框架。此外，我们的目标是继续测量植物群落组成的时间变化，并进行具体的实验，以进一步了解植物物种的相互作用和物种可塑性的重要性。

In this project, we aim to synthesize data of functional attributes (traits) of species with community characteristics (processes) as basis for a mechanistic understanding of the importance of plant species diversity for ecosystem functioning. In particular, the goal is to relate species physiological and morphological characteristics and demographic processes of plant populations to plant community properties. The following objectives will be addressed: (1) temporal changes in plant community composition, (2) plant functional traits and their relationships to community properties, (3) importance of species plasticity for biodiversityecosystem functioning relationships, and (4) incorporation of plant traits into the conceptual framework of species dominance and complementarity. In addition, we aim to continue measurements on temporal changes in plant community composition and to carry out specific experiments to get further insight in plant species interactions and the importance of species plasticity.