A proposed unified terminology of species traits in stream ecology

Abstract

Traits-based community analyses are receiving increasing attention. However, consistent interpretation of empirical results and ecological understanding in stream ecology are limited by ambiguous terminology. Furthermore, the measurement scales used to analyze trait data, especially ordinal-scale data, are often inappropriately applied. We identify and discuss these shortcomings and offer a solution for an operative and algebraically correct treatment of traits and a unified nomenclature that facilitates direct comparison among traits-based studies. A unified terminology allows for logical translation among existing, alternative trait nomenclatures and should facilitate communication of research findings among stream ecologists and more directly connect stream traits-based research with general ecology.

Functional diversity: a review of methodology and current knowledge in freshwater macroinvertebrate research

“…This concept was used under the name ''unique trait combinations'' in Schmera et al (2012) and Schmera et al (2013). In agreement with the original proposal (Poff et al, 2006) and following the recommendation of Schmera et al (2015), this measure should be called ''number of unique combinations of trait states''.…”

“…Although ''functional diversity'' and related terms are frequently used in studies of freshwater macroinvertebrate assemblages, the terminology used and the concept itself may lack consistency and mathematical clarity, which can cause confusions (see Schmera et al, 2014Schmera et al, , 2015. In addition, our present knowledge is based on separate case studies appearing as independent snapshots.…”

“…Traits in freshwater macroinvertebrate research include a wide variety of features, where trait is a variable that is characterized by one element of a set of distinguishable states (Schmera et al, 2015). Gathering information on the functional roles of freshwater macroinvertebrates is a challenging task, and apart from the availability of information, there is no consensus on which traits (or features) of macroinvertebrate taxa should be used to calculate functional diversity.…”

“…This measure was also used as ''number of traits present'' (see Milner et al, 2011) or should be called as ''number of trait states'' following the terminology of Schmera et al (2015). This measure disregards evolutionary constraints but focuses on traits assumed to be subject to selection.…”

Effects of intensive agriculture in the structure and functioning of tropical headwater streams

“…This method is based on species attributes that govern its ability to deal with environmental problems and opportunities (VERBERK et al, 2013). Traitbased approaches can refine our mechanistic understanding of biological communities in a taxon-independent manner, allowing the comparison across ecosystems and transforming descriptive into predictive studies in community ecology (VERBERK et al, 2013;SCHMERA et al, 2015). For benthic diatoms, traits are classified according to the resistance to physical disturbance, nutrient enrichment, and life forms, in genus-level taxonomic resolution (PASSY, 2007;BERTHON et al, 2011;SCHNECK;MELO, 2012;LANGE et al, 2015).…”