SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Table S1. Links between functional traits, species-specific functions, ecosystem properties and societal benefits, and environmental change drivers. (a) Examples of
ecosystem effect traits (left) underpinning different Specific Effect Functions (SEFs; center), which in term influence ecosystem properties and their benefits to people (right).
(b) Examples of response traits (right) underpinning different Specific Response Functions (SRFs; center), which in turn determine tolerance or susceptibility to potential
environmental change drivers (right). References in (B) refer to links between response traits and environmental drivers, not necessarily to global change. See text for
overlaps between effect and response traits and links between SRFs and SEFs. For SEFs, further examples are in De Bello et al. 2010. Bello et al. 2010.
(a)
Underlying functional effect traits SEF
Some ecosystem properties and
References
their benefits to people
Leaf, root and stem toughness, dry
Litter decomposability
Nutrient availability, soil fertility for (Melillo et al. 1982; Hobbie 1992;
matter, N, P and lignin content,
the production of useful plants (e.g., Cornelissen 1996; Cornwell et al. 2008;
specific leaf area (leaf surface
fodder, wild and cultivated food and Fortunel et al. 2009)
displayed per unit mass)
fiber plants)
Specific leaf area, leaf N and P
Plant potential relative
Primary productivity, fodder and fuel (Grime & Hunt 1975; Lambers &
content, leaf mass fraction
growth rate
provision
Poorter 1992; Garnier et al. 2004)
Plant transpiration
Ecosystem hydrological regulation
(Reich 1995; Brauman et al. 2007;
including runoff, climate buffering
Chapin et al. 2008; Chave et al. 2009;
(allocation of biomass to leaves vs.
to other organs
Plant height, root depth, leaf area,
leaf phenology, leaf mass fraction,
structure of vascular system
Kagawa et al. 2009)
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Shoot aggregation structure, cell
Bryophyte water retention Ecosystem hydrological regulation
(Hayward & Clymo 1982; Proctor 1982;
wall to protoplast volume ratio,
capacity
Beringer et al. 2001)
relative volume of hyaline cells
including runoff, water runoff
regulation, thermal insulation
(permafrost maintenance)
Leaf, root, shoot and bark
Plant palatability to
Trophic transfer, food for
(Belovsky et al. 1991; Grubb 1992;
toughness, nutrient, lignin and
herbivores
important animals
Owen-Smith et al. 1993; Vourc'h et al.
polyphenol content, leaf
2001; Bardgett & Wardle 2003)
accessibility (e.g. size and density
of thorns)
Twig diameter and architecture,
Plant flammability
Capacity of vegetation to ignite
(Lavorel & Garnier 2002; Bond &
leaf dry matter content, leaf size,
and propagate fire, soil fertility,
Keeley 2005; Grigulis et al. 2005;
retention of standing dead tissue,
land suitability for human
Scarff & Westoby 2006)
oil and resin content
settlement
Body size, mobility-related traits,
Animal nutrient
Spatial redistribution of nutrients,
(Owen-Smith 1988; Bakker et al.
defecation pattern, burrowing
transport capacity
with consequences for carrying
2006; Aptroot et al. 2007)
behaviour, solitary versus colonial
capacity for important animals and
habit
for landscape heterogeneity
Body size, traits of mouth parts,
Animal capacity to catch
Protection of primary productivity
(Macdonald 1983; Post et al. 1999;
legs, fins or wings, pack or
prey
by controlling herbivores
Christiansen & Wroe 2007)
solitary hunting, use of hunting
tools (e.g. spider webs)
2
Body size, tongue and wing
Animal pollination
Enhancement of seed and fruit
(Waser & Ollerton 2006; Kremen et
length and shape, body hair
capacity
production for animals and people;
al. 2007; Anderson et al. 2011)
location and density, ability to
maintenance of genetic stock
detect different shapes, colours or
diversity of plant populations.
scents, diurnal vs. nocturnal
lifestyle
Body size, mobility-related traits,
Vertebrate seed dispersal
Enhancement of connectivity
(Couvreur et al. 2004; McConkey &
gut passage time, defecation
capacity
among fragmented patches;
Drake 2006; Correa et al. 2007;
pattern, skin surface traits (e.g.
colonization of new habitats by
Jordano et al. 2007)
hair type and density)
useful plants, vegetation
restoration after disturbances (e.g.
fires, landslides, hurricanes)
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(B)
Underlying functional response
SRF
traits
Some environmental change
References
drivers
Leaf area, specific leaf area, plant
Plant resistance to
Decreased annual precipitation,
(Givnish 1988; Reich 1995;
height, xylem vessel size and
drought
increased variance in precipitation
Maherali et al. 2004; Chave et al.
structure, leaf mass fraction, leaf
events, increased frequency of heat
2009; Zanne et al. 2010; Choat et
phenology, root depth, epidermal
waves
al. 2012)
Increased frequency of fires
(Lamont & Runciman 1993;
thickness, stomatal traits
Bark thickness, position of
Plant resistance to fire
dormant buds, seed coats,
Pausas et al. 2004; Bond &
serotiny, germination stimulation
Keeley 2005; Paula & Pausas
by smoke, belowground
2006)
carbohydrate storage
Seed size and shape
Plant tolerance to high
Deforestation, agricultural
(Thompson et al. 1993; Moles &
frequency and
intensification
Westoby 2004)
intensity of
aboveground
disturbance
4
Specialized stem and leaf
Plant flood tolerance
Increased variance in precipitation
(Lopez 2001; Finlayson 2005;
structures for floating (e.g.
events, sea level rise, increased
Glenz et al. 2006; Mommer et al.
Victoria leaves, Salicornia and
runoff in watersheds as a result of
2006)
Typha stems) and coping with
deforestation
anoxia (Taxodium
pneumatophors), seed and fruit
impermeable, floating or
anchoring (e.g. Avicennia), root
architecture (for anchoring),
capacity for resprouting from
fragments (e.g. Salix)
Body size, reproductive rate,
Vertebrate tolerance to
Higher demand for bushmeat, as a
(Johnson 2002; Wright 2003; Fa
palatability, elusiveness (i.e.
hunting
result of human encroachment into
et al. 2005; Cowlishaw et al.
nocturnal, arboreal), intrinsic rate
forests and or increased scarcity of
2009)
of population growth
other sources of protein (e.g.
fisheries)
Body size, chemical and
Invertebrate (e.g.
Decreased annual precipitation,
(Tsai et al. 1998; Makkonen et al.
physiological traits, surface to
woodlice, springtails)
increased variance in precipitation
2011)
volume ratio, seasonality
drought tolerance
events, increased frequency of heat
waves, increased soil desiccation as
a result of land use practices
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