Phylogenies are relevant when assessing environmental filtering

• Autores: Irena Šímová
• Localización: Folia geobotánica: A journal of plant ecology and systematics, ISSN-e 1874-9348, ISSN 1211-9520, Vol. 51, Nº 1, 2016, págs. 65-68
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • De Bello et al. contemplate the usefulness of phylogenetic corrections in ecological studies involving species traits. They conclude that it is necessary to consider phylogeny when focusing on the evolution of a trait as an adaptation to the environment, but unnecessary when assessing how the composition of traits across a community of species changes along an environmental gradient or under short-term environmental change. Although I agree with their points, the ultimate aim is often to make predictions for new conditions. I therefore suggest putting more effort into exploring the mechanisms behind variation in trait values along environmental gradients. Understanding which functional traits evolved as adaptations is thus a necessary baseline for predicting changes in species functional composition and ecosystem processes in the near future.