NGEE Arctic
Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments
Advancing the predictive power of Earth system models through understanding
of the structure and function of Arctic terrestrial ecosystems
Tundra Plant Trait Database
Tundra Plant Trait Database
November 27th, 2019
Worldwide trait database addresses long-standing questions about trait-environment relationships and provides an unprecedented digital resource to inform Earth system models.
The Objective:
- Greatly expand the representation of root structural and functional traits in global data repositories and the insights they provide to models.
New Science:
- Data compiled for tundra ecosystems from around the world and more than 91,000 measurements of 18 plant traits analyzed.
- Complements other databases (e.g., TRY) and adds new data from high-latitude ecosystems where cold temperatures shape function at gene to ecosystem scales.
The Impact:
- A rich digital resource that confirms that tundra plants, compared to other lifeforms, do indeed exhibit unique trait relationships (e.g., resource acquisition) resulting from adaptation to extreme environmental conditions.
Hypothesized location of tundra trait space within global trait space.