Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects.We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives. Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP) and DIVERSITAS, the TRY database (TRY-not an acronym, rather a statement of sentiment; https ://www.try-db.org; Kattge et al., 2011) was proposed with the explicit assignment to improve the availability and accessibility of plant trait data for ecology and earth system sciences. The Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry (MPI-BGC) offered to host the database and the different groups joined forces for this community-driven program. Two factors were key to the success of TRY: the support and trust of leaders in the field of functional plant ecology submitting large databases and the long-term funding by the Max Planck Society, the MPI-BGC and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, which has enabled the continuous development of the TRY database.

Background A subset of patients with COVID-19 develops a hyperinflammatory syndrome that has similarities with other hyperinflammatory disorders. However, clinical criteria specifically to define COVID-19-associated hyperinflammatory syndrome (cHIS) have not been established. We aimed to develop and validate diagnostic criteria for cHIS in a cohort of inpatients with COVID-19. Methods We searched for clinical research articles published between Jan 1, 1990, and Aug 20, 2020, on features and diagnostic criteria for secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, macrophage activation syndrome, macrophage activation-like syndrome of sepsis, cytokine release syndrome, and COVID-19. We compared published clinical data for COVID-19 with clinical features of other hyperinflammatory or cytokine storm syndromes. Based on a framework of conserved clinical characteristics, we developed a six-criterion additive scale for cHIS: fever, macrophage activation (hyperferritinaemia), haematological dysfunction (neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio), hepatic injury (lactate dehydrogenase or asparate aminotransferase), coagulopathy (D-dimer), and cytokinaemia (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, or triglycerides). We then validated the association of the cHIS scale with in-hospital mortality and need for mechanical ventilation in consecutive patients in the Intermountain Prospective Observational COVID-19 (IPOC) registry who were admitted to hospital with PCR-confirmed COVID-19. We used a multistate model to estimate the temporal implications of cHIS. Findings We included 299 patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 between March 13 and May 5, 2020, in analyses. Unadjusted discrimination of the maximum daily cHIS score was 0·81 (95% CI 0·74–0·88) for in-hospital mortality and 0·92 (0·88–0·96) for mechanical ventilation; these results remained significant in multivariable analysis (odds ratio 1·6 [95% CI 1·2–2·1], p=0·0020, for mortality and 4·3 [3·0–6·0], p<0·0001, for mechanical ventilation). 161 (54%) of 299 patients met two or more cHIS criteria during their hospital admission; these patients had higher risk of mortality than patients with a score of less than 2 (24 [15%] of 138 vs one [1%] of 161) and for mechanical ventilation (73 [45%] vs three [2%]). In the multistate model, using daily cHIS score as a time-dependent variable, the cHIS hazard ratio for worsening from low to moderate oxygen requirement was 1·4 (95% CI 1·2–1·6), from moderate oxygen to high-flow oxygen 2·2 (1·1–4·4), and to mechanical ventilation 4·0 (1·9–8·2). Interpretation We proposed and validated criteria for hyperinflammation in COVID-19. This hyperinflammatory state, cHIS, is commonly associated with progression to mechanical ventilation and death. External validation is needed. The cHIS scale might be helpful in defining target populations for trials and immunomodulatory therapies. Fundi...

Considering intraspecific trait variability (ITV) in ecological studies has improved our understanding of species persistence and coexistence. These advances are based on the growing number of leaf ITV studies over local gradients, but logistical constraints have prevented a solid examination of ITV in root traits or at scales reflecting species’ geographic ranges. We compared the magnitude of ITV in above‐ and below‐ground plant organs across three spatial scales (biophysical region, locality and plot). We focused on six understorey species (four herbs and two shrubs) that occur both in disturbed and undisturbed habitats across boreal and temperate Canadian forests. We aimed to document ITV structure over broad ecological and geographical scales by asking: (a) What is the breadth of ITV across species range‐scale? (b) What proportion of ITV is captured at different spatial scales, particularly when local scale disturbances are considered? and (c) Is the variance structure consistent between analogous leaf and root traits, and between morphological and chemical traits? Following standardized methods, we sampled 818 populations across 79 forest plots simultaneously, including disturbed and undisturbed stands, spanning four biophysical regions (~5,200 km). Traits measured included specific leaf area (SLA), specific root length (SRL) and leaf and root nutrient concentrations (N, P, K, Mg, Ca). We used variance decomposition techniques to characterize ITV structure across scales. Our results show that an important proportion of ITV occurred at the local scale when sampling included contrasting environmental conditions resulting from local disturbance. A certain proportion of the variability in both leaf and root traits remained unaccounted for by the three sampling scales included in the design (36% on average), with the largest amount for SRL (54%). Substantial differences in magnitude of ITV were found among the six species, and between analogous traits, suggesting that trait distribution was influenced by species strategy and reflects the extent of understorey environment heterogeneity. Even for species with broad geographical distributions, a large proportion of within‐species trait variability can be captured by sampling locally across ecological gradients. This has practical implications for sampling design and trait selection for both local studies and continental‐scale modelling. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

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A 3-year (1993–1995) study was conducted to describe both the spatial (within- and between-site) and temporal (monthly) patterns associated with canopy interception, throughfall, and net forest water along a black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) topo-sequence situated in northwestern Ontario. This site array included (1) an upland, well-drained, mineral soil site; (2) a poorly drained, midslope, wet mineral site; and (3) a treed wetland on organic (peat) soil. Bulk precipitation (BP) and throughfall (TF) were collected, on an event basis (63 events, over 4800 samples analyzed), using standard collecting devices and analyzed for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3–), total phosphorus (TP), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). Comparison of BP and TF data suggested that an enrichment of K (190%), Mg (115%), and Ca (70%) occurred during canopy interactions. On the other hand, inorganic nitrogen (NH4+: –73%; NO3–: –47%), and to a lesser extent TP (–35%), rates declined. TKN, however, remained the same, suggesting that inorganic N reductions were offset by organic N inputs. Downward shifts in pH were also detected for TF (4.45–4.48), as compared with the pH of BP (4.52–4.80). Although all study sites received similar rainfall amounts, the more productive sites (i.e., carrying greater foliar mass, higher leaf area index) had lower TF volumes (i.e., higher interception rates) but higher macronutrient returns to the forest floor. This increase in macronutrient deposition was directly related to substantial increases in nutrient concentrations, which, in turn, suggested a greater degree of canopy interaction and (or) leaching on these sites. Throughfall pH, however, was not significantly different across the three study sites. With respect to temporal patterns, the major cations (K+, Ca2+, Mg2+) demonstrated an increasing trend in concentration levels in TF as the season progressed to a maximum in October. TKN and TP concentrations, on the other hand, maintained relatively stable levels throughout the summer, peaking in September, but dropping substantially in October as metabolic processes slowed and the supply of these nutrients to the foliage was reduced. Even with the increase in base cation concentration, throughfall pH shifted downward to 4.3 or below by late fall.

A spacing trial was established near Thunder Bay, Ontario in Une plantation a kt6 kalisk B titre exphimental prbs de Thunder 1950. This trial consisted of black spruce (Picea rnariana (Mill.) Bay en Ontario en 1950. Cet essai portait sur l'kpinette noire B.S.P.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss.), and red pine (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), l'kpinette blanche (Picea glauca (Pinus resinosa Ait.) each established at three different spacings:(Moench) Voss.), et le pin rouge (Pinus resinosa Ait.) chacune des 1.8 m, 2.7 m, and 3.6 m. This study examines the differences in e s e e s plant& selon trois espacements: 1.8 m, 2.7 et 3.6 m Cette growth and crown development as attributed to initial spacing, after ktude se penche sur les diffkrences en croissance et en dkveloppe-37 years. In addition, a benefivcost analysis was performed to evalment de la cime en fonction de l'espacement initial, 37 ans plus tard. uate the economic efficiency of the various species/spacing comDe plus, une analyse des Mnkfices en fonction des coats a kt6 effecbinations. Diameter at breast height, live crown length, and tuCe afin d'kvaluer l'efficacite kconomique de diffkrentes combicrown width, all exhibited significant (P < 0.001) increases as ini-tial spacing increased, irrespective of species, but, height demonpoitrine, la longueur de la cime vivante et le diambtre de la cime ont strated a decreasing trend (P < 0.020). Gross total and mertous dkmontd des augmentations significatives (P < 0.001) en foncchantable stem volume per tree increased for all species as initial tion de l'augmentation de l'espacement initial, pour toutes les spacing increased; however, volume production per unit area espbces, mais la hauteur suivait une tendance inverse (P < 0.020). decreased significantly for all species as spacing increased. The shift Le volume total et le volume marchand par arbre a augment6 pour to higher-valued products from the wider-spaced plantations toutes les esp2ces B mesure que s'accroissait l'espacement initial, appeared to provide the best economic return. As a result of both alors que le volume par unit6 de surface diminuait significativement greater merchantable volumes and greater percentages of these volpour toutes les esp&ces en fonction de l'augmentation de l'espaceumes available as a higher-valued product, benefitlcost ratios for ment. Le changement vers des produits de plus grande valeur tirks red pine (0.995 to 1.337) were greater than those for the spruces des plantations B espacement plus grand semble procurer le meilleur (0.595 to 0.866). Although red pine currently represents less than retour sur l'investissement. Les ksultats B la fois au niveau des vol-4% of Ontario's total regeneration effort, the results from this study umes marchands supkrieurs et du plus fort pourcentage de ces suggest it deserves further consideration on some boreal sites.volumes disponibles en tant que produit de valeur supkrieure ont permis d'obtenir des ratios des b6n6fices en fonction des coats pour Key words: spacing trial, plantat...

Terrestrial arthropod fauna have been suggested as a key indicator of ecological integrity in forest systems. Because phenotypic identification is expert-limited, a shift towards DNA metabarcoding could improve scalability and democratize the use of forest floor arthropods for biomonitoring applications. The objective of this study was to establish the level of field sampling and DNA extraction replication needed for arthropod biodiversity assessments from soil. Processing 15 individually collected soil samples recovered significantly higher median richness (488–614 sequence variants) than pooling the same number of samples (165–191 sequence variants) prior to DNA extraction, and we found no significant richness differences when using 1 or 3 pooled DNA extractions. Beta diversity was robust to changes in methodological regimes. Though our ability to identify taxa to species rank was limited, we were able to use arthropod COI metabarcodes from forest soil to assess richness, distinguish among sites, and recover site indicators based on unnamed exact sequence variants. Our results highlight the need to continue DNA barcoding local taxa during COI metabarcoding studies to help build reference databases. All together, these sampling considerations support the use of soil arthropod COI metabarcoding as a scalable method for biomonitoring.

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