Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2012, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (4): 353-362.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1258.2012.00353

• Review • Previous Articles    

A research framework of ecosystem services based on functional traits

XIAO Yu(),XIE Gao-Di,AN Kai,LU Chun-Xia   

  1. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
  • Received:2011-07-05 Accepted:2012-02-20 Online:2012-07-05 Published:2012-03-28
  • Contact: XIAO Yu

Abstract:

Functional traits influence ecosystem services through their effects on ecosystem attributes, processes and their maintenance. Research on the relationship between functional diversity and ecosystem function can contribute to investigating the mechanism of ecosystem functioning and services supplied, which provides insight on ecosystem services. This study reviewed research on functional traits and framework of ecosystem services, relationship between functional diversity and ecosystem function and application of functional traits in ecosystem services. We proposed a framework of ecosystem services based on functional traits. First, abiotic factors and functional diversity indices that significantly affected ecosystem function should be investigated. Second, (a) quantitative relationships between abiotic factors and functional indices and ecosystem function and (b) quantitative relationships between ecosystem function and ecosystem services should be developed. Third, quantitative relationships between functional diversity and ecosystem services should be constructed. At the same time, community assembly theory and species co-existence mechanism should be incorporated into the investigation of the mechanism relationship between functional diversity and ecosystem function to analyze the mechanism of formation and variation of ecosystem services. The results of ecosystem services based on functional traits can support a scientific basis for the process of decision-making in ecosystem management.

Key words: ecosystem services, functional diversity, functional traits, relationship between functional diversity and ecosystem function, research framework