TRY plant trait database (Plantae)

Knowledge graph centered on TRY plant trait database (Plantae) with 62 nodes and 127 connections. Top connected: Which is a better predictor of plant traits: tempe, Rushes, herbaceous plants, climate change effects on species interactions, specific leaf area.

Method synopsis

Systematic compilation and cleaning of plant trait records from multiple databases to create a comprehensive tundra plant trait dataset. Combined TRY database records with Tundra Trait Team contributions, standardized taxonomy, and removed erroneous values.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 2 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Traditional plant functional groups explain variation in economic but not size related traits across the tundra biome (2018), Global ecology and biogeography. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Compile tundra plant trait database
   Combined 18,613 plant trait records from the TRY database with 37,435 records from Tundra Trait Team (TTT) contributors, forming the largest database of tundra plant traits compiled to date. Considered all species present at International Tundra Experiment (ITEX) and associated plots as tundra species. Excluded records from manipulated locations such as experiments or botanical gardens.
   Quantities: 18,613 TRY records + 37,435 TTT records = 56,048 total records for tundra speciesDuration: Data collected between 1964 and 2016Conditions: Tundra biome defined as vegetated regions above tree line, both at high latitude and high altitude
   Equipment: TRY database, TTT contributor datasets
2. Select six plant traits for analysis
   Selected plant height (maximum measured height), seed mass (dry mass), leaf area per leaf (fresh leaf area), specific leaf area (ratio of fresh leaf area to dry leaf mass), leaf dry matter content (ratio of leaf dry mass to fresh leaf mass), and leaf nitrogen (nitrogen per unit leaf dry mass). These traits are commonly collected plant traits in the tundra and are considered cornerstones of plant ecological strategy.
   Quantities: 6 traits selected from available trait dataDuration: Not specifiedConditions: Traits selected based on availability and ecological significance in tundra ecosystems
3. Clean and standardize trait data
   Combined taxonomic synonyms following The Plant List. Removed duplicate entries, obviously erroneous values, and observations more than three standard deviations from each species' mean. For seed mass, checked values more than three standard deviations from each species' mean and removed values with clear measurement or transcription error.

Typical Equipment

• TRY database
• TTT contributor datasets
• The Plant List (www.theplantlist.org)

Output Measurements

• species-level trait means
• trait database

Papers Using This Protocol (2)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used