1,701
Views
45
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Plant–environment interactions through a functional traits perspective: a review of Italian studies

ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, , ORCID Icon, , , , , , ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, , , ORCID Icon, , , , , , , ORCID Icon, , , , , , , , , , ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, , , , ORCID Icon, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ORCID Icon, , , , , , , , , , ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon & show all
Pages 853-869 | Received 02 Jul 2018, Accepted 11 Dec 2018, Published online: 04 Feb 2019

References

  • Abeli T, Rossi G, Gentili R, Mondoni A, Cristofanelli P. 2012a. Response of alpine plant flower production to temperature and snow cover fluctuation at the species range boundary. Plant Ecol. 213(1):1–13.
  • Abeli T, Rossi G, Gentili R, Gandini M, Mondoni A, Cristofanelli P. 2012b. Effect of the extreme summer heat waves on isolated populations of two orophitic plants in the north Apennines (Italy). Nord J Bot. 30(1):109–115.
  • Acosta ATR, Izzi CF, Stanisci A. 2006. Comparison of native and alien plant traits in Mediterranean coastal dunes. Comm Ecol. 7(1):35–41.
  • Baas P, Beeckman H, Cufar K, De MV. 2016. Functional traits in wood anatomy. Iawa J. 37:124–126.
  • Bagella S, Salis L, Marrosu GM, Rossetti I, Fanni S, Caria MC, Roggero PP. 2013a. Effects of long-term management practices on grassland plant assemblages in Mediterranean cork oak silvo-pastoral systems. Plant Ecol. 214(4):621–631.
  • Bagella S, Satta A, Floris I, Caria MC, Rossetti I, Podani J. 2013b. Effects of plant community composition and flowering phenology on honeybee foraging in Mediterranean sylvo-pastoral systems. Appl Veg Sci. 16(4):689–697.
  • Bartolucci F, Peruzzi L, Galasso G, Albano A, Alessandrini A, Ardenghi NMG, Astuti G, Bacchetta G, Ballelli S, Banfi E, et al. 2018. An updated checklist of the vascular flora native to Italy. Plant Biosyst. 152(2):179–303.
  • Bauer G, Schulze ED, Mund M. 1997. Nutrient contents and concentrations in relation to growth of Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica along a European transect. Tree Physiol. 17(12):777–786.
  • Beeckman H. 2016. Wood anatomy and trait-based ecology. Iawa J. 37:127–151.
  • Bernareggi G, Carbognani M, Petraglia A, Mondoni A. 2015. Climate warming could increase seed longevity of alpine snowbed plants. Alp Botany. 125(2):69–78.
  • Bernareggi G, Carbognani M, Mondoni A, Petraglia A. 2016. Seed dormancy and germination changes of snowbed species under climate warming: the role of pre- and post-dispersal temperatures. Ann Bot. 118(3):529–539.
  • Blasi C, Capotorti G, Copiz R, Guida D, Mollo B, Smiraglia D, Zavattero L. 2014. Classification and mapping of the ecoregions of Italy. Plant Biosyst. 148(6):1255–1345.
  • Blasi C. 2010. La Vegetazione d’Italia con Carta delle Serie di Vegetazione in scala 1:500 000. Rome, Italy: Palombi Editori.
  • Bolpagni R, Pino F. 2017. Sediment nutrient drivers of the growth dynamics of the rare fern Marsilea quadrifolia. Hydrobiologia. 792(1):303–314.
  • Bolpagni R, Laini A, Soana E, Tomaselli M, Nascimbene J. 2015. Growth performance of Vallisneria spiralis under oligotrophic conditions supports its potential invasiveness in mid elevation freshwaters. Weed Res. 55(2):185–194.
  • Bolpagni R, Pierobon E, Longhi D, Nizzoli D, Bartoli M, Tomaselli M, Viaroli P. 2007. Diurnal exchanges of CO2 and CH4 across the water–atmosphere interface in a water chestnut meadow (Trapa natans L.). Aquat Bot. 87(1):43–48.
  • Bolpagni R, Piotti A. 2016. The importance of being natural in a human-altered riverscape: role of wetland type in supporting habitat heterogeneity and vegetation functional diversity. Aquatic Conserv: Mar Freshw Ecosyst. 26(6):1168–1883.
  • Bolpagni R, Bresciani M, Laini A, Pinardi M, Matta E, Ampe EM, Giardino C, Viaroli P, Bartoli M. 2014. Remote sensing of phytoplankton-macrophyte coexistence in shallow hypereutrophic fluvial lakes. Hydrobiologia. 737(1):67–76.
  • Bolpagni R, Piotti A. 2015. Hydro-hygrophilous vegetation diversity and distribution patterns in riverine wetlands in an agricultural landscape: a case study from the Oglio River (Po plain, Northern Italy). Phytocenologia. 45:69–84.
  • Bolpagni R, Bartoli M, Viaroli P. 2013. Species and functional plant diversity in a heavily impacted riverscape: implications for threatened hydro-hygrophilous flora conservation. Limnologica. 43(4):230–238.
  • Bragazza L, Buttler A, Habermacher J, Brancaleoni L, Gerdol R, Fritze H, Hanajik P, Laiho R, Johnson D. 2012. High nitrogen deposition alters the decomposition of bog plant litter and reduces carbon accumulation. Glob Change Biol. 18(3):1163–1172.
  • Britton AJ, Beale CM, Towers W, Hewison RL. 2009. Biodiversity gains and losses: evidence for homogenisation of Scottish alpine vegetation. Biol Conserv. 142(8):1728–1739.
  • Brodribb TJ. 2017. Progressing from ‘functional’ to mechanistic traits. New Phytol. 215(1):9–11.
  • Buffa G, Villani M. 2012. Are the ancient forests of the Eastern Po Plain large enough for a long term conservation of herbaceous nemoral species? Plant Biosyst. 146(4):970–984.
  • Burrascano S, Rosati L, Blasi C. 2009. Plant species diversity in Mediterranean old-growth forests: a case study from central Italy. Plant Biosyst. 143:190–200.
  • Burrascano S, Copiz R, Del Vico E, Fagiani S, Giarrizzo E, Mei M, Mortelliti A, Sabatini FM, Blasi C. 2015. Wild boar rooting intensity determines shifts in understorey composition and functional traits. Community Ecol. 16(2):244–253.
  • Bussotti F, Bettini D, Grossoni P, Mansuino S, Nibbi R, Soda C, Tani C. 2002. Structural and functional traits of Quercus ilex in response to water availability. Environ Exp Bot. 47(1):11–23.
  • Caccianiga M, Luzzaro A, Pierce S, Ceriani RM, Cerabolini BEL. 2006. The functional basis of a primary succession resolved by CSR classification. Oikos. 112(1):10–20.
  • Caccianiga M, Bottacin S, Cattaneo C. 2012. Vegetation dynamics as a tool for detecting clandestine graves. J Forensic Sci. 57(4):983–988.
  • Campetella G, Botta-Dukat Z, Wellstein C, Canullo R, Gatto S, Chelli S, Mucina L, Bartha S. 2011. Patterns of plant trait–environment relationships along a forest succession chronosequence. Agr Ecosys Environ. 145(1):38–48.
  • Canullo R, Campetella G, Mucina L, Chelli S, Wellstein C, Bartha S. 2011. Patterns of clonal growth modes along a chronosequence of post-coppice forest regeneration in beech forests of Central Italy. Folia Geobot. 46(2-3):271–288.
  • Canullo R, Simonetti E, Cervellini M, Chelli S, Bartha S, Wellstein C, Campetella G. 2017. Unravelling mechanisms of short-term vegetation dynamics in complex coppice forest systems. Folia Geobot. 52(1):71–81.
  • Capotorti G, Guida D, Siervo V, Smiraglia D, Blasi C. 2012. Ecological classification of land and conservation of biodiversity at the national level: the case of Italy. Biol Conserv. 147(1):174–183.
  • Carbognani M, Bernareggi G, Perucco F, Tomaselli M, Petraglia A. 2016. Micro-climatic controls and warming effects on flowering time in alpine snowbeds. Oecologia. 182(2):573–585.
  • Carbognani M, Petraglia A, Tomaselli M. 2014. Warming effects and plant trait control on the early-decomposition in alpine snowbeds. Plant Soil. 376(1-2):277–290.
  • Carboni M, Acosta ATR, Ricotta C. 2013. Are differences in functional diversity among plant communities on Mediterranean coastal dunes driven by their phylogenetic history? J Veg Sci. 24(5):932–941.
  • Carboni M, Zeleny D, Acosta ATR. 2016. Measuring ecological specialization along a natural stress gradient using a set of complementary niche breadth indices. J Veg Sci. 27(5):892–903.
  • Catoni R, Gratani L. 2013. Morphological and physiological adaptive traits of Mediterranean narrow endemic plants: the case of Centaurea gymnocarpa (Capraia Island, Italy). Flora. 208(3):174–183.
  • Catorci A, Piermarteri K, Tardella FM. 2014. Pedo-climatic and land use preferences of Gentiana lutea subsp. lutea in central Italy. Plecevo. 147(2):176–186.
  • Catorci A, Piermarteri K, Penksza K, Judit Házi J, Tardella FM. 2017. Filtering effect of temporal niche fluctuation and amplitude of environmental variations on the trait-related flowering patterns: lesson from sub-Mediterranean Grasslands. Sci Rep. 7:12034.
  • Catorci A, Vitanzi A, Tardella FM. 2011. Variations in CSR strategies along stress gradients in the herb layer of submediterranean forests (central Italy). Plecevo. 144(3):299–306.
  • Catorci A, Vitanzi A, Tardella FM, Hrsak V. 2012a. Trait variations along a regenerative chronosequence in the herb layer of submediterranean forests. Acta Oecol. 43:29–41.
  • Catorci A, Tardella FM, Piermarteri K, Pennesi R, Malatesta L, Corazza M, Scocco P. 2016. Effect of red deer grazing on alpine hay meadows: biodiversity and management implications. Appl Ecol Env Res. 14(2):301–318.
  • Catorci A, Cesaretti S, Malatesta L, Tardella FM. 2014a. Effects of grazing vs mowing on the functional diversity of sub-Mediterranean productive grasslands. Appl Veg Sci. 17(4):658–669.
  • Catorci A, Cesaretti S, Tardella FM. 2014b. Effect of tall-grass invasion on the flowering-related functional pattern of submediterranean hay-meadows. Plant Biosyst. 148(6):1127–1137.
  • Catorci A, Antolini E, Tardella FM, Scocco P. 2014c. Assessment of interaction between sheep and poorly palatable grass: a key tool for grassland management and restoration. J Plant Interact. 9(1):112–121.
  • Catorci A, Cesaretti S, Gatti R. 2013. Effect of long-term abandonment and spring grazing on floristic and functional composition of dry grasslands in a central Apennine farmland. Pol J Ecol. 61:505–518.
  • Catorci A, Cesaretti S, Gatti R, Tardella FM. 2012b. Trait-related flowering patterns in submediterranean mountain meadows. Plant Ecol. 213(8):1315–1328.
  • Catorci A, Gatti R, Cesaretti S. 2012c. Effect of sheep and horse grazing on species and functional composition of sub-Mediterranean grasslands. Appl Veg Sci. 15(4):459–469.
  • Catorci A, Cesaretti S, Gatti R, Ottaviani G. 2011a. Abiotic and biotic changes due to spread of Brachypodium genuense (DC.) Roem. & Schult. in sub-Mediterranean meadows. Community Ecol. 12:117–125.
  • Catorci A, Ottaviani G, Cesaretti S. 2011b. Functional and coenological changes under different long-term management conditions in Apennine meadows (central Italy). Phyto. 41(1):45–58.
  • Catorci A, Ottaviani G, Ballelli S, Cesaretti S. 2011c. Functional differentiation of Centrale Apennine grasslands under mowing and grazing disturbance regimes. Pol J Ecol. 59:115–128.
  • Cerabolini BEL, Pierce S, Luzzaro A, Ossola A. 2010. Species evenness affects ecosystem processes in situ via diversity in the adaptive strategies of dominant species. Plant Ecol. 207(2):333–345.
  • Cerabolini BEL, Brusa G, Ceriani RM, De Andreis R, Luzzaro A, Pierce S. 2010. Can CSR classification be generally applied outside Britain? Plant Ecol. 210(2):253–261.
  • Cerabolini BEL, Pierce S, Verginella A, Brusa G, Ceriani RM, Armiraglio S. 2016. Why are many anthropogenic agroecosystems particularly species-rich? Plant Biosyst. 150(3):550–557.
  • Chelli S, Wellstein C, Campetella G, Canullo R, Tonin R, Zerbe S, Gerdol R. 2017. Climate change response of vegetation across climatic zones in Italy. Clim Res. 71(3):249–262.
  • Ciccarelli D. 2015. Mediterranean coastal dune vegetation: are disturbance and stress the key selective forces that drive the psammophilous succession? Estuar Coast Shelf S. 165:247–253.
  • Ciccarelli D, Picciarelli P, Bedini G, Sorce C. 2016. Mediterranean Sea cliff plants: morphological and physiological responses to environmental conditions. JPECOL. 9(2):153–164.
  • Ciccarelli D, Balestri M, Pagni AM, Forino LMC. 2010. Morpho-functional adaptations in Cakile maritima Scop. Subsp. maritima: comparation of two different morphological types. Caryologia. 63:411–421.
  • Ciccarelli D, Forino LMC, Balestri M, Pagni AM. 2009. Leaf anatomical adaptations of Calystegia soldanella, Euphorbia paralias and Otanthus maritimus to the ecological conditions of coastal sand dune systems. Caryologia. 62:142–151.
  • Conti L, De Bello F, Leps J, Acosta ATR, Carboni M. 2017. Environmental gradients and micro-heterogeneity shape fine-scale plant community assembly on coastal dunes. J Veg Sci. 10:12533.
  • Corazza M, Tardella FM, Ferrari C, Catorci A. 2016. Tall grass invasion after grassland abandonment influences the availability of palatable plants for wild herbivores: insight into the conservation of the Apennine Chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata. Environ Manage. 57(6):1247–1261.
  • Cornelissen JH, Lang SI, Soudzilovskaia NA, During HJ. 2007. Comparative cryptogam ecology: a review of bryophyte and lichen traits that drive biogeochemistry. Ann Bot. 99(5):987–1001.
  • Crescente MF, Gratani L, Larcher W. 2002. Shoot growth efficiency and production of Quercus ilex L. in different climates. Flora. 197(1):2–9.
  • Dainese M. 2012. Using natural gradients to infer a potential response to climate change: an example on the reproductive performance of Dactylis Glomerata L. Biology (Basel). 1(3):857–868.
  • Díaz S, Kattge J, Cornelissen JHC, Wright IJ, Lavorel S, Dray S, Reu B, Kleyer M, Wirth C, Prentice IC, et al. 2016. The global spectrum of plant form and function. Nature. 529(7585):167–171.
  • Engler R, Randin C, Thuiller W, Dullinger S, Zimmermann N, Araújo M, Pearman P, Le Lay G, Piedallu C, Albert C, et al. 2011. 21st climate change threatened European mountain flora. Glob Chang Biol. 17(7):2330–2341.
  • Evangelista A, Frate L, Carranza ML, Attorre F, Pelino G, Stanisci A. 2016. Changes in composition, ecology and structure of high-mountain vegetation: a re-visitation study over 42 years. AoB Plants. 8:plw004.
  • Falcucci A, Maiorano L, Boitani L. 2007. Changes in land-use/land-cover patterns in Italy and their implications for biodiversity conservation. Landscape Ecol. 22(4):617–631.
  • Fantinato E, Del Vecchio S, Giovanetti M, Acosta ATR, Buffa G. 2018a. New insights into plants coexistence in species-rich communities: the pollination interaction perspective. J Veg Sci. 29(1):6–14.
  • Fantinato E, Del Vecchio S, Gaetan C, Buffa G. 2018b. The resilience of pollination interactions: importance of temporal phases. J Plant Ecol.:rty005.
  • Favero-Longo SE, Sandrone S, Matteucci E, Appolonia L, Piervittori R. 2014. Spores of lichen-forming fungi in the mycoaerosol and their relationships with climate factors. Sci Total Environ. 466–467:26–33.
  • Frate L, Carranza ML, Evangelista A, Stinca A, Schaminée JHJ, Stanisci A. 2018. Climate and land use change impacts on Mediterranean high-mountain vegetation in the Apennines since the 1950s. Plant Ecol Div. 11(1):85–96.
  • Garnier E, Stahl U, Laporte M-A, Kattge J, Mougenot I, Kühn I, Laporte B, Amiaud B, Ahrestani FS, Bönisch G, et al. 2017. Towards a thesaurus of plant characteristics: an ecological contribution. J Ecol. 105(2):298–309.
  • Garnier E, Navas ML. 2012. A trait-based approach to comparative functional plant ecology: concepts, methods and applications for agroecology. A review. Agron Sustain Dev. 32(2):365–399.
  • Garnier E, Cortez J, Billès G, Navas M-L, Roumet C, Debussche M, Laurent G, Blanchard A, Aubry D, Bellmann A, et al. 2004. Plant functional markers capture ecosystem properties during secondary succession. Ecology. 85(9):2630–2637.
  • Garnier E, Navas ML, Grigulis K. 2016. Plant functional diversity: Organism traits, community structure, and ecosystem properties. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Gavrichkova O, Liberati D, Gunina A, Guidolotti G, de Dato G, Calfapietra C, De Angelis P, Brugnoli E, Kuzyakov Y. 2017. Does long-term warming affect C and N allocation in a Mediterranean shrubland ecosystem? Evidence from a 13C and 15N labeling field study. Environ Exp Bot. 141:170–180.
  • Gentili R, Armiraglio S, Sgorbati S, Baroni C. 2013. Geomorphological disturbance affects ecological driving forces and plant turnover along an altitudinal stress gradient on alpine slopes. Plant Ecol. 214(4):571–586.
  • Gerdol R. 1995. The growth dynamics of Sphagnum based on field measurements in a temperate bog and on laboratory cultures. J Ecol. 83(3):431–437.
  • Gerdol R, Bragazza L, Marchesini R. 2002. Element concentrations in the forest moss Hylocomium splendens: variation associated with altitude, net primary production and soil chemistry. Environ Pollut. 116(1):129–135.
  • Gerdol R, Bragazza L. 2006. Effects of altitude on element accumulation in alpine moss. Chemosphere. 64(5):810–816.
  • Gerdol R, Bonora A, Marchesini R, Gualandri R, Pancaldi S. 1998. Growth response of Sphagnum capillifolium to nighttime temperature and nutrient level: mechanisms and implications for global change. Arctic Alpine Res. 30(4):388–395.
  • Gerdol R, Bragazza L, Brancaleoni L. 2008. Heatwave 2003: high summer temperature, rather than experimental fertilization, affects vegetation and CO2 exchange in an alpine bog. New Phytol. 179(1):142–154.
  • Gerdol R, Brancaleoni L, Marchesini R, Bragazza L. 2002. Nutrient and carbon relations in subalpine dwarf shrubs after neighbour removal or fertilization in northern Italy. Oecologia. 130(3):476–483.
  • Gerdol R, Siffi C, Iacumin P, Gualmini M, Tomaselli M. 2013. Advanced snowmelt affects vegetative growth and sexual reproduction of Vaccinium myrtillus in a sub-alpine heath. J Veg Sci. 24(3):569–579.
  • Giarrizzo E, Burrascano S, Chiti S, De Bello F, Leps J, Zavattero L, Blasi C. 2017. Re-visiting historical semi-natural grasslands in the Apennines to assess patterns of changes in species composition and functional traits. Appl Veg Sci. 20(2):247–258.
  • Giordani P, Matteucci E, Redana M, Ferrarese A, Isocrono D. 2014a. Unsustainable cattle load in alpine pastures alters the diversity and the composition of lichen functional groups for nitrogen requirement. Fungal Ecol. 9:69–72.
  • Giordani P, Brunialti G, Bacaro G, Nascimbene J. 2012. Functional traits of epiphytic lichens as potential indicators of environmental conditions in forest ecosystems. Ecol Indic. 18:413–420.
  • Giordani P, Calatayud V, Stofer S, Seidling W, Granke O, Fischer R. 2014b. Detecting the nitrogen critical loads on European forests by means of epiphytic lichens. A signal-to-noise evaluation. Forest Ecol Man. 311:29–40.
  • Giordani P, Benesperi R, Mariotti MG. 2015. Local dispersal dynamics determine the occupied niche of the red-listed lichen Seirophora villosa (Ach.) Froden in a Mediterranean Juniperus shrubland. Fungal Ecol. 13:77–82.
  • Giordani P, Malaspina P. 2017. Do tree-related factors mediate the response of lichen functional groups to eutrophication? Plant Biosyst. 151(6):1062–1072.
  • Giordani P, Incerti G, Rizzi G, Rellini I, Nimis PL, Modenesi P. 2014c. Functional traits of cryptogams in Mediterranean ecosystems are driven by water, light and substrate interactions. J Veg Sci. 25(3):778–792.
  • Gobbi M, Caccianiga M, Cerabolini B, Bernardi F, Luzzaro A, Pierce S. 2010. Plant adaptive responses during primary succession are associated with functional adaptations in ground beetles on deglaciated terrain. Comm Ecol. 11(2):223–231.
  • Gottfried M, Pauli H, Futschik A, Akhalkatsi M, Barančok P, Benito Alonso JL, Coldea G, Dick J, Erschbamer B, Fernández Calzado MAR, et al. 2012. Continent-wide response of mountain vegetation to climate change. Nature Clim Change. 2(2):111–115.
  • Gratani L, Crescente MF, D’Amato V, Ricotta C, Frattaroli AR, Puglielli G. 2014. Leaf traits variation in Sesleria nitida growing at different altitudes in the Central Apennines. Photosynthetica. 52(3):386–396.
  • Gratani L, Meneghini M, Pesoli P, Crescente MF. 2003. Structural and functional plasticity of Quercus ilex seedlings of different provenances in Italy. Trees. 17(6):515–521.
  • Gratani L, Catoni R, Pirone G, Frattaroli AR, Varone L. 2012. Physiological and morphological leaf trait variations in two Apennine plant species in response to different altitudes. Photosynthetica. 50(1):15–23.
  • Gratani L, Varone L, Crescente MF, Catoni R, Ricotta C, Puglielli G. 2018. Leaf thickness and density drive the responsiveness of photosynthesis to air temperature in Mediterranean species according to their leaf habitus. J Arid Environ. 150:9–14.
  • Grime JP. 1974. Vegetation classification by reference to strategies. Nature. 250(5461):26–31.
  • Grime JP. 1977. Evidence for the existence of three primary strategies in plants and its relevance to ecological and evolutionary theory. American Naturalist. 111(982):1169–1194.
  • Grime JP, Pierce S. 2012. The evolutionary strategies that shape ecosystems. Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell; pp. 264.
  • Grime JP. 2001. Plant strategies, vegetation processes, and ecosystem properties. Chichester: Wiley.
  • Guet J, Fabbrini F, Fichot R, Sabatti M, Bastien C, Brignolas F. 2015. Genetic variation for leaf morphology, leaf structure and leaf carbon isotope discrimination in European populations of black poplar (Populus nigra L.). Tree Physiol. 35(8):850–863.
  • Halassy M, Campetella G, Canullo R, Mucina L. 2005. Patterns of functional clonal traits and clonal growth modes in contrasting grasslands in the central Apennines, Italy. J Veg Sci. 16(1):29–36.
  • Hodgson JG, Wilson PJ, Hunt R, Grime JP, Thompson K. 1999. Allocating CSR plant functional types: a soft approach to a hard problem. Oikos. 85(2):282–294.
  • Jucker T, Carboni M, Acosta ATR. 2013. Going beyond taxonomic diversity: deconstructing biodiversity patterns reveals the true cost of iceplant invasion. Diversity Distrib. 19(12):1566–1577.
  • Kang H, Zhuang H, Wu L, Liu Q, Shen G, Berg B, Man R, Liu C. 2011. Variation in leaf nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry in Picea abies across Europe: an analysis based on local observations. For Ecol Manag. 261(2):195–202.
  • Kattge J, Díaz S, Lavorel S, Prentice IC, Leadley P, Bönisch G, Garnier E, Westoby M, Reich PB, Wright IJ, et al. 2011. Global database of plant traits. Glob Chang Biol. 17(9):2905–2935.
  • Kühn I, Durka W, Klotz S. 2004. BiolFlor: a new plant-trait database as a tool for plant invasion ecology. Divers Distrib. 10:363–365.
  • Keddy PA. 1992. A pragmatic approach to functional ecology. Funct Ecol. 6:621–626.
  • Kleyer M, Bekker RM, Knevel IC, Bakker JP, Thompson K, Sonnenschein M, Poschlod P, van Groenendael JM, Klimeš L, Klimešová J, et al. 2008. The LEDA Traitbase: a database of life‐history traits of the Northwest European flora. J Ecol. 96(6):1266–1274.
  • Klimešová J, Danihelka J, Chrtek J, Bello F, Herben T. 2017. CLO-PLA: a database of clonal and bud-bank traits of the Central European flora. Ecology. 98(4):1179.
  • Laliberté E. 2017. Below-ground frontiers in trait-based plant ecology. New Phytol. 213(4):1597–1603.
  • Lambers H, Shane MW, Cramer MD, Pearse SJ, Veneklaas EJ. 2006. Root structure and functioning for efficient acquisition of phosphorus: matching morphological and physiological traits. Ann Bot. 98(4):693–713.
  • Lavorel S, Garnier E. 2002. Predicting changes in community composition and ecosystem functioning from plant traits: revisiting the Holy Grail. Funct Ecology. 16(5):545–556.
  • Lavorel S, Grigulis K, Lamarque P, Colace MP, Garden D, Girel J, Pellet G, Douzet R. 2011. Using plant functional traits to understand the landscape distribution of multiple ecosystem services. J Ecol. 99(1):135–147.
  • Lastrucci L, Lazzaro L, Coppi A, Foggi B, Ferranti F, Venanzoni R, Cerri M, Ferri V, Gigante D, Reale R. 2017. Demographic and macro-morphological evidence for common reed dieback in central Italy. Plant Ecol Div. 10(2-3):241–251.
  • Lastrucci L, Gigante D, Vaselli O, Nisi B, Viciani D, Reale L, Coppi A, Fazzi V, Bonari G, Angiolini C. 2016. Sediment chemistry and flooding exposure: a fatal cocktail for Phragmites australis in the Mediterranean basin? Ann Limnol – Int J Lim. 52:365–377.
  • Malavasi M, Santoro R, Cutini M, Acosta ATR, Carranza ML. 2013. Multitemporal analyses of coastal dune landscapes in Central Italy: what has happened in the last 60 years? Landscape Urban Plan. 119:4–63.
  • Malavasi M, Conti L, Carboni M, Cutini M, Acosta ATR. 2016. Multifaceted analysis of patch-level plant diversity in response to landscape spatial pattern and history on mediterranean dunes. Ecosystems. 19(5):850–864.
  • Malavasi M, Carranza ML, Moravec D, Cutini M. 2018. Reforestation dynamics after land abandonment: a trajectory analysis in mediterranean mountain landscapes. Reg Environ Change. 18(8):2459–2469.
  • Marini L, Nascimbene J, Nimis PL. 2011. Large-scale patterns of epiphytic lichen species richness: photobiont-dependent response to climate and forest structure. Sci Total Environ. 409(20):4381–4386.
  • Marcantonio M, Rocchini D, Ottaviani G. 2014. Impact of alien species on dune systems: a multifaceted approach. Biodivers Conserv. 23(11):2645–2668.
  • McGill BJ, Enquist BJ, Weiher E, Westoby M. 2006. Rebuilding community ecology from functional traits. Trends Ecol Evol (Amst). 21(4):178–185.
  • McIntyre S, Lavorel S, Landsberg J, Forbes TDA. 1999. Disturbance response in vegetation towards a global perspective on functional traits. J Veg Sci. 10(5):621–630.
  • Mondoni A, Rossi G, Orsenigo S, Probert RJ. 2012. Climate warming could shift the timing of seed germination in alpine plants. Ann Bot. 110(1):155–164.
  • Mondoni A, Pedrini S, Bernareggi G, Rossi G, Abeli T, Probert RJ, Ghitti M, Bonomi C, Orsenigo S. 2015. Climate warming could increase recruitment success in glacier foreland plants. Ann Bot. 116(6):907–916.
  • Montagnoli A, Terzaghi M, Di Iorio A, Scippa GS, Chiatante D. 2012a. Fine-root seasonal pattern, production and turnover rate of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stands in Italy Prealps: possible implications of coppice conversion to high forest. Plant Biosyst. 146(4):1012–1022.
  • Montagnoli A, Terzaghi M, Di Iorio A, Scippa GS, Chiatante D. 2012b. Fine-root morphological and growth traits in a Turkey-oak stand in relation to seasonal changes in soil moisture in the Southern Apennines, Italy. Ecol Res. 27(6):1015–1025.
  • Montagnoli A, Di Iorio A, Terzaghi M, Trupiano D, Scippa GS, Chiatante D. 2014. Influence of soil temperature and water content on fine-root seasonal growth of European beech natural forest in Southern Alps, Italy. Eur J Forest Res. 133(5):957–968.
  • Montagnoli A, Di Iorio A, Ceriani RM, Scippa GS, Chiatante D. 2010. Root seasonal pattern, spatial distribution, and C:N ratio of matgrass pasture (Nardus stricta L.) in the Lombardy Prealps. Plant Biosyst. 144(2):463–470.
  • Morales CL, Traveset A. 2008. Interspecific pollen transfer: magnitude, prevalence and consequences for plant fitness. Crit Rev Plant Sci. 27(4):221–238.
  • Nascimbene J, Thus H, Marini L, Nimis PL. 2009. Early colonization of stone by freshwater lichens of restored habitats: a case study in northern Italy. Sci Total Environ. 407(18):5001–5006.
  • Nascimbene J, Marini L. 2015. Epiphytic lichen diversity along elevational gradients: biological traits reveal a complex response to water and energy. J Biogeogr. 42(7):1222–1232.
  • Nascimbene J, Mayrhofer H, Dainese M, Othmar Bilovitz P. 2017. Assembly patterns of soil-dwelling lichens after glacier retreat in the European Alps. J Biogeogr. 44(6):1393–1404.
  • Nascimbene J, Marini L, Nimis PL. 2007. Influence of forest management on epiphytic lichens in a temperate beech forest of northern Italy. Forest Ecol Manag. 247(1-3):43–47.
  • Nascimbene J, Marini L, Caniglia G, Cester D, Nimis PL. 2008. Lichen diversity on stumps in relation to wood decay in subalpine forests of Northern Italy. Biodivers Conserv. 17(11):2661–2670.
  • Nimis PL, Martellos S. 2017. ITALIC – The Information System on Italian Lichens. Version 5.0. University of Trieste, Department of Biology. http://dryades.units.it/italic.
  • Ottaviani G, Martínková J, Herben T, Pausas JG, Klimešová J. 2017. On plant modularity traits: functions and challenges. Trends Plant Sci. 22(8):648–651.
  • Orsenigo S, Abeli T, Rossi G, Bonasoni P, Pasquaretta C, Gandini M, Mondoni A. 2015. Effects of autumn and spring heat waves on seed germination of high mountain plants. Plos One. 10(7):e0133626.
  • Orsenigo S, Guzzon F, Abeli T, Rossi G, Vagge I, Balestrazzi A, Mondoni A, Muller JV. 2017. Comparative germination responses to water potential across different populations of Aegilops geniculata and cultivar varieties of Triticum durum and Triticum aestivum. Plant Biol J. 19(2):165–171.
  • Pauw A. 2018. Flower war. J Veg Sci. 29(1):4–5.
  • Peguero-Pina JJ, Sisò S, Flexas J, Galmes J, Niinemets U, Sancho-Knapik D, Gil PE. 2017. Coordinated modifications in mesophyll conductance, photosynthetic potentials and leaf nitrogen contribute to explain the large variation in foliage net assimilation rates across Quercus ilex provenances. Tree Physiol. 37(8):1084–1094.
  • Perez-Harguindeguy N, Diaz S, Garnier E. 2013. New handbook for standardised measurement of plant functional traits worldwide. Austral J Bot. 611:67–23.
  • Petraglia A, Carbognani M, Tomaselli M. 2013. Effects of nutrient amendments on modular growth, flowering effort and reproduction of snowbed plants. Plant Ecol Div. 6(3-4):475–486.
  • Petraglia A, Tomaselli M, Mondoni A, Brancaleoni L, Carbognani M. 2014a. Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and flowering phenology of the snowbed forb Gnaphalium supinum L. Flora. 209(5-6):271–278.
  • Petraglia A, Tomaselli M, Petit Bon M, Delnevo M, Chiari G, Carbognani M. 2014b. Responses of flowering phenology of snowbed plants to an experimentally imposed extreme advanced snowmelt. Plant Ecol. 215(7):759–768.
  • Petruzzellis F, Palandrani C, Savi T, Alberti R, Nardini A, Bacaro G. 2017. Sampling intraspecific variability in leaf functional traits: Practical suggestions to maximize collected information. Ecol Evol. 7(24):11236–11245.
  • Petruzzellis F, Nardini A, Savi T, Tonet V, Castello M, Bacaro G. 2018. Less safety for more efficiency: water relations and hydraulics of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle compared to native Fraxinus ornus L. Tree Phys. Accepted. doi:10.1093/treephys/tpy076.
  • Pierce S, Luzzaro A, Caccianiga M, Ceriani RM, Cerabolini BEL. 2007. Disturbance is the principal α-scale filter determining niche differentiation, coexistence and biodiversity in an alpine community. J Ecol. 95(4):698–706.
  • Pierce S, Ceriani RM, De Andreis R, Luzzaro A, Cerabolini BEL. 2007. The leaf economics spectrum of Poaceae reflects variation in survival strategies. Plant Biosyst. 141(3):337–343.
  • Pierce S, Bottinelli A, Bassani I, Ceriani RM, Cerabolini BEL. 2014. How well do seed production traits correlate with leaf traits, whole plant traits and plant ecological strategies? Plant Ecol. 215(11):1351–1359.
  • Pierce S, Brusa G, Sartori M, Cerabolini BEL. 2012. Combined use of leaf size and economics traits allows direct comparison of hydrophyte and terrestrial herbaceous adaptive strategies. Ann Bot. 109(5):1047–1053.
  • Pierce S, Brusa G, Vagge I, Cerabolini BEL. 2013. Allocating CSR plant functional types: the use of leaf economics and size traits to classify woody and herbaceous vascular plants. Funct Ecol. 27(4):1002–1010.
  • Pierce S, Negreiros D, Cerabolini BEL, Kattge J, Díaz S, Kleyer M, Shipley B, Wright SJ, Soudzilovskaia NA, Onipchenko VG, et al. 2017. A global method for calculating plant CSR ecological strategies applied across biomes worldwide. Funct Ecol. 31(2):444–457.
  • Pierce S, Vagge I, Brusa G, Cerabolini BEL. 2014. The intimacy between sexual traits and Grime’s CSR strategies for orchids coexisting in semi-natural calcareous grassland at the Olive Lawn. Plant Ecol. 215(5):495–505.
  • Pierobon E, Bolpagni R, Bartoli M, Viaroli P. 2010. Net primary production and seasonal CO2 and CH4 fluxes in a Trapa natans L. meadow. J Limnol. 69(2):225–234.
  • Pisanu S, Mameli G, Farris E, Binelli G, Filigheddu R. 2011. A natural homoploid hybrid between Centaurea horrida and Centaurea filiformis (Asteraceae) as revealed by morphological and genetic traits. Folia Geobot. 46(1):69–86.
  • Pisanu S, Farris E, Filigheddu R, Begona GM. 2012. Demographic effects of large, introduced herbivores on a long-lived endemic plant. Plant Ecol. 213(10):1543–1553.
  • Prisco I, Carboni M, Jucker T, Acosta ATR. 2016. Temporal changes in the vegetation of Italian coastal dunes: identifying winners and losers through the lens of functional traits. J Appl Ecol. 53(5):1533–1542.
  • Puglielli G, Crescente MF, Frattaroli AR, Gratani L. 2015. Morphological, anatomical and physiological leaf trait plasticity of Sesleria nitida (Poaceae) in open vs shaded conditions. Pol J Ecol. 63(1):10–22.
  • Puglielli G, Crescente MF, Frattaroli AR, Gratani L. 2015. Leaf mass per area (LMA) as possible predictor of adaptive strategies in two species of Sesleria (Poaceae): analysis of morphological, anatomical and physiological leaf traits. Ann Bot Fennici. 52(1-2):135–143.
  • Puglielli G, Varone L, Gratani L, Catoni R. 2017. Specific leaf area variations drive acclimation of Cistus salvifolius in different light environments. Photosynthetica. 55(1):31–40.
  • Puglielli G, Cuevas Roman FJ, Catoni R, Moreno Rojas JM, Gratani L, Varone L. 2017. Provenance effect on carbon assimilation, photochemistry and leaf morphology in Mediterranean Cistus species under chilling stress. Plant Biol J. 19(4):660–670.
  • Ricotta C, Acosta ATR. 2014. On the functional diversity of partially distinct species: some theory and a practical example. Comm Ecol. 15(2):205–211.
  • Ricotta C, Carboni M, Acosta ATR. 2015. Let the concept of indicator species be functional! J Veg Sci. 26(5):839–847.
  • Ricotta C, Bacaro G, Caccianiga M, Cerabolini BE, Moretti M. 2015. A classical measure of phylogenetic dissimilarity and its relationship with beta diversity. Basic Appl Ecol. 16(1):10–18.
  • Ricotta C, De Bello F, Moretti M, Caccianiga M, Cerabolini BE, Pavoine S. 2016. Measuring the functional redundancy of biological communities: a quantitative guide. Methods Ecol Evol. 7(11):1386–1395.
  • Ricotta C, Burrascano S. 2008. Beta diversity for functional ecology. Preslia. 80:61–72.
  • Roekaerts M. 2002. The biogeographical regions map of Europe. Basic principles of its creation and overview of its development. Copenhagen: European Environment Agency.
  • Rogora M, Frate L, Carranza ML, Freppaz M, Stanisci A, Bertani I, Bottarin R, Brambilla A, Canullo R, Carbognani M, et al. 2018. Assessment of climate change effects on mountain ecosystems through a cross-site analysis in the Alps and Apennines. Sci Total Environ. 624:1429–1442.
  • Salvatori E, Fusaro L, Manes F. 2016. Chlorophyll fluorescence for phenotyping drought-stressed trees in a mixed deciduous forest. Ann Bot (Roma). 6:39–49.
  • Scolastri A, Bricca A, Cancellieri L, Cutini M. 2017. Understory functional response to different management strategies in Mediterranean beech forests (central Apennines, Italy). Forest Ecol Manag. 400:665–676.
  • Shipley B, De Bello F, Cornelissen JHC, Laliberté E, Laughlin DC, Reich PB. 2016. Reinforcing loose foundation stones in trait-based plant ecology. Oecologia. 180(4):923–931.
  • Smiraglia D, Capotorti G, Guida D, Mollo B, Siervo V, Blasi C. 2013. Land units map of Italy. J Maps. 9(2):239–244.
  • Smith TM, Shugart HH, Woodward FI. (Eds.) 1997. Plant functional types: their relevance to ecosystem properties and global change (Vol. 1). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Spasojevic MJ, Bowman WD, Humphries HC, Seastedt TR, Suding KN. 2013. Changes in alpine vegetation over 21 years: are patterns across a heterogeneous landscape consistent with predictions? Ecosphere. 4:117.
  • Spinoni J, Vogt JV, Naumann G, Barbosa P, Dosio A. 2018. Will drought events become more frequent and severe in Europe? Int J Climatol. 38(4):1718–1736.
  • Spitale D, Petraglia A. 2010. Palustriella falcata (Brid.) Hedenas (Amblystegiaceae, Bryopsida) with pluristratose lamina: morphological variability of specimens in springs of the Italian Alps. Plant Syst Evol. 286(1-2):59–68.
  • Stanisci A, Acosta ATR, Di Iorio A, Vergalito M. 2010. Leaf and root trait variability of alien and native species along Adriatic coastal dunes (Italy). Plant Biosyst. 144(1):47–52.
  • Suding KN, Goldstein LJ. 2008. Testing the holy grail framework: using functional traits to predict ecosystem change. New Phytol. 180(3):559–562.
  • Tardella FM, Bricca A, Piermarteri K, Postiglione N, Catorci A. 2017. Context-dependent variation of SLA and plant height of a dominant, invasive tall grass (Brachypodium genuense) in sub-Mediterraneangrasslands. Flora. 229:116–123.
  • Tardella FM, Catorci A. 2015. Context-dependent effects of abandonment vs. grazing on functional composition and diversity of sub-Mediterranean grasslands. Community Ecol. 16(2):254–266.
  • Targetti S, Messeri A, Staglianò N, Argenti G. 2013. Leaf functional traits for the assessment of succession following management in semi-natural grasslands: a case study in the North Apennines, Italy. Appl Veg Sci. 16(2):325–332.
  • Tavşanoğlu Ç, Pausas JG. 2018. A functional trait database for Mediterranean Basin plants. Sci Data. 5:180135.
  • Terzaghi M, Montagnoli A, Di Iorio A, Scippa GS, Chiatante D. 2013. Fine-root carbon and nitrogen concentration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Italy Prealps: possible implications of coppice conversion to high forest. Front Plant Sci. 4:192.
  • Terwei A, Zerbe S, Molder I, Annighofer P, Kawaletz H, Ammer C. 2016. Response of floodplain understorey species to environmental gradients and tree invasion: a functional trait perspective. Biol Invasions. 18(10):2951–2973.
  • Vacchiano G, Garbarino M, Lingua E, Motta R. 2017. Forest dynamics and disturbance regimes in the Italian Apennines. Forest Ecol Manag. 388:57–66.
  • Valladares F, Martínez-Ferri E, Balaguer L, Pérez-Corona E, Manrique E. 2000. Low leaf-level response to light and nutrients in Mediterranean evergreen oaks: a conservative resource-use strategy? New Phytol. 148(1):79–91.
  • Villa P, Bresciani M, Bolpagni R, Pinardi M, Giardino C. 2015. A rule-based approach for mapping macrophyte communities using multi-temporal aquatic vegetation indices. Remote Sens Environ. 171:218–233.
  • Villa P, Pinardi M, Tóth VR, Hunter PD, Bolpagni R, Bresciani M. 2017. Remote sensing of macrophyte morphological traits: implications for the management of shallow lakes. J Limnol. 76:109–126.
  • Violle C, Navas ML, Vile D, Kazakou E, Fortunel C, Hummel I, Garnier E. 2007. Let the concept of trait be functional! Oikos. 116(5):882–892.
  • Violle C, Reich PB, Pacala SW, Enquist BJ, Kattge J. 2014. The emergence and promise of functional biogeography. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 111(38):13690–13696.
  • Weiher E, van der Werf A, Thompson K, Roderick M, Garnier E, Eriksson O. 1999. Challenging Theophrastus: a common core list of plant traits for functional ecology. J Veg Sci. 10(5):609–620.
  • Wellstein C, Chelli S, Campetella G, Bartha S, Galiè M, Spada F, Canullo R. 2013. Intraspecific phenotypic variability of plant functional traits in contrasting mountain grasslands habitats. Biodivers Conserv. 22(10):2353–2374.
  • Wellstein C, Cianfaglione K. 2014. Impact of extreme drought and warming on survival and growth characteristics of different provenances of juvenile Quercus pubescens Willd. Folia Geobot. 49(1):31–47.
  • Wellstein C, Campetella G, Spada F, Chelli S, Mucina L, Canullo R, Bartha S. 2014. Context-dependent assembly rules and the role of dominating grasses in semi-natural abandoned sub-Mediterranean grasslands. Agr Ecosys Environ. 182:113–122.
  • Wellstein C, Poschlod P, Gohlke A, Chelli S, Campetella G, Rosbakh S, Canullo R, Kreyling J, Jentsch A, Beierkuhnlein C. 2017. Effects of extreme drought on specific leaf area of grassland species: A meta-analysis of experimental studies in temperate and sub-Mediterranean systems. Glob Chang Biol. 23(6):2473–2481.
  • Westoby M. 1998. A leaf-height-seed (LHS) plant ecology strategy scheme. Plant Soil. 199:213–227.
  • Westoby M, Falster DS, Moles AT, Vesk PA, Wright IJ. 2002. Plant ecological strategies: some leading dimensions of variation between species. Annu Rev Ecol Syst. 33(1):125–159.
  • Wright IJ, Reich PB, Westoby M, Ackerly DD, Baruch Z, Bongers F, Cavender-Bares J, Chapin T, Cornelissen JHC, Diemer M, et al. 2004. The worldwide leaf economics spectrum. Nature. 428(6985):821–827.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.