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Plant architecture optimizes the trait-based description and classification of vegetation.
  • +8
  • Biying Liu,
  • Sihao Yuan,
  • Zhihui Chen,
  • Panpan Zhao,
  • Yi Wang,
  • Wei Chu,
  • Shuo Zhang,
  • Wensheng Zhao,
  • Shiqin Tan,
  • Ting Zhou,
  • Shao-Lin Peng
Biying Liu
Sun Yat-Sen University
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Sihao Yuan
Sun Yat-Sen University
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Zhihui Chen
Sun Yat-Sen University
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Panpan Zhao
Sun Yat-Sen University
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Yi Wang
Sun Yat-Sen University
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Wei Chu
Sun Yat-Sen University
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Shuo Zhang
Sun Yat-Sen University
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Wensheng Zhao
Sun Yat-Sen University
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Shiqin Tan
Sun Yat-Sen University
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Ting Zhou
Sun Yat-Sen University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Shao-Lin Peng
Sun Yat-Sen University
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Abstract

Trait-based approaches offer valuable perspectives for vegetation classification, but functional traits struggle to capture resource allocation among competing plants, showing limitations across scales. This study aimed to introduce plant architecture to enhance trait-based vegetation classification. From 2021 to 2023, 32 plots of Coastal Dwarf Forests (CDF) and Coastal Normal Forests (NCDF) along China’s eastern coast were surveyed. Their community characteristics were quantified, and classification and clustering models assessed the advantages of plant architecture in distinguishing these communities. The results indicated plant architecture traits are more critical for distinguishing different community types than leaf-based functional traits. Additionally, plant architecture traits are effective in clustering plant associations within the same community type. This is because plant architecture traits are closely linked to habitat, phylogeny, and community structure, providing a comprehensive description of vegetation, while functional traits reflect only partial habitat information related to soil nutrients. Our findings underscore the importance of plant architecture in optimizing trait-based vegetation classification and suggest that variations in the plasticity of plant architecture traits may support the classification of CDF as a distinct vegetation unit.
21 Aug 2024Submitted to Plant, Cell & Environment
22 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
22 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
22 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
31 Oct 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor