Author
Greg R. Guerin
Other affiliations: Google, Department of Environment and Conservation
Bio: Greg R. Guerin is an academic researcher from University of Adelaide. The author has contributed to research in topics: Climate change & Abundance (ecology). The author has an hindex of 19, co-authored 62 publications receiving 1486 citations. Previous affiliations of Greg R. Guerin include Google & Department of Environment and Conservation.
Papers published on a yearly basis
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TL;DR: The extent of the trait data compiled in TRY is evaluated and emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness are analyzed to conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements.
Abstract: Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives.
882 citations
Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg1, Zürcher Fachhochschule2, University of Bayreuth3, University of Picardie Jules Verne4, University of Oviedo5, Wageningen University and Research Centre6, Masaryk University7, University of Nottingham8, University of Rostock9, Max Planck Society10, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul11, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill12, Santa Clara University13, Leiden University14, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic15, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology16, Sapienza University of Rome17, Natural Resources Canada18, Florida International University19, Universidade Federal do Acre20, Ghent University21, University of Göttingen22, University of the Basque Country23, Aarhus University24, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory25, Environmental Change Institute26, University of Nova Gorica27, Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts28, King Juan Carlos University29, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague30, VU University Amsterdam31, University of Würzburg32, National University of Cordoba33, National University of Saint Anthony the Abbot in Cuzco34, Wake Forest University35, University of Exeter36, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue37, University of Montpellier38, University of Adelaide39, University of Chile40, IFREMER41, University of British Columbia42, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina43, University of Münster44, University of Hamburg45, University of Wrocław46, University of Zurich47, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research48, University of Oldenburg49, University of Wyoming50, University of Waikato51, Institut national de la recherche agronomique52, Sofia University53, Royal Botanic Gardens54, University of Edinburgh55, Landcare Research56, Radboud University Nijmegen57, Spanish National Research Council58, University of Barcelona59, University of Leeds60, University of Tartu61, University of Minnesota62, University of Sydney63, University of Jena64, University of La Serena65, Peking University66, Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development67, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki68, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences69, University of Oulu70, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire71, International Institute of Minnesota72, American Museum of Natural History73, Leipzig University74
TL;DR: It is shown that global trait composition is captured by two main dimensions that are only weakly related to macro-environmental drivers, which reflect the trade-offs at the species level but are weakly associated with climate and soil conditions at the global scale.
Abstract: Plant functional traits directly affect ecosystem functions. At the species level, trait combinations depend on trade-offs representing different ecological strategies, but at the community level trait combinations are expected to be decoupled from these trade-offs because different strategies can facilitate co-existence within communities. A key question is to what extent community-level trait composition is globally filtered and how well it is related to global versus local environmental drivers. Here, we perform a global, plot-level analysis of trait-environment relationships, using a database with more than 1.1 million vegetation plots and 26,632 plant species with trait information. Although we found a strong filtering of 17 functional traits, similar climate and soil conditions support communities differing greatly in mean trait values. The two main community trait axes that capture half of the global trait variation (plant stature and resource acquisitiveness) reflect the trade-offs at the species level but are weakly associated with climate and soil conditions at the global scale. Similarly, within-plot trait variation does not vary systematically with macro-environment. Our results indicate that, at fine spatial grain, macro-environmental drivers are much less important for functional trait composition than has been assumed from floristic analyses restricted to co-occurrence in large grid cells. Instead, trait combinations seem to be predominantly filtered by local-scale factors such as disturbance, fine-scale soil conditions, niche partitioning and biotic interactions.
349 citations
Food and Agriculture Organization1, Université libre de Bruxelles2, University of Leeds3, United Nations Development Programme4, Environmental Change Institute5, Google6, University of Adelaide7, Bartın University8, Sapienza University of Rome9, Technical University of Madrid10, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences11, United States Department of Agriculture12, World Resources Institute13
TL;DR: An estimate of global forest extent in dryland biomes is reported, based on analyzing more than 210,000 0.5-hectare sample plots through a photo-interpretation approach using large databases of satellite imagery at very high spatial resolution and very high temporal resolution, available through the Google Earth platform.
Abstract: Dryland biomes cover two-fifths of Earth’s land surface, but their forest area is poorly known. Here, we report an estimate of global forest extent in dryland biomes, based on analyzing more than 210,000 0.5-hectare sample plots through a photo-interpretation approach using large databases of satellite imagery at (i) very high spatial resolution and (ii) very high temporal resolution, which are available through the Google Earth platform. We show that in 2015, 1327 million hectares of drylands had more than 10% tree-cover, and 1079 million hectares comprised forest. Our estimate is 40 to 47% higher than previous estimates, corresponding to 467 million hectares of forest that have never been reported before. This increases current estimates of global forest cover by at least 9%.
302 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that leaf width is linked to maximum temperature regionally (latitude gradient) and leaf area to minimum temperature locally (altitude gradient), consistent with a morphological response to contemporary climate change.
Abstract: Climate change is driving adaptive shifts within species, but research on plants has been focused on phenology. Leaf morphology has demonstrated links with climate and varies within species along climate gradients. We predicted that, given within-species variation along a climate gradient, a morphological shift should have occurred over time due to climate change. We tested this prediction, taking advantage of latitudinal and altitudinal variations within the Adelaide Geosyncline region, South Australia, historical herbarium specimens (n = 255) and field sampling (n = 274). Leaf width in the study taxon, Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustissima, was negatively correlated with latitude regionally, and leaf area was negatively correlated with altitude locally. Analysis of herbarium specimens revealed a 2 mm decrease in leaf width (total range 1-9 mm) over 127 years across the region. The results are consistent with a morphological response to contemporary climate change. We conclude that leaf width is linked to maximum temperature regionally (latitude gradient) and leaf area to minimum temperature locally (altitude gradient). These data indicate a morphological shift consistent with a direct response to climate change and could inform provenance selection for restoration with further investigation of the genetic basis and adaptive significance of observed variation.
122 citations
University of Melbourne1, University of Western Sydney2, Murdoch University3, University of Tasmania4, Monash University5, Australian Antarctic Division6, University of Adelaide7, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation8, University of New England (Australia)9, Australian National University10, James Cook University11
TL;DR: In this article, a suite of case studies that have considered possible impacts of anthropogenic climate change on Australian terrestrial systems are provided, including compositional shifts in vegetation, positive feedbacks between climate, vegetation and disturbance regimes, local extinctions in plants, size changes in birds, phenological shifts in reproduction and shifting biotic interactions that threaten communities and endangered species.
Abstract: The effects of anthropogenic climate change on biodiversity are well known for some high‐profile Australian marine systems, including coral bleaching and kelp forest devastation. Less well‐published are the impacts of climate change being observed in terrestrial ecosystems, although ecological models have predicted substantial changes are likely. Detecting and attributing terrestrial changes to anthropogenic factors is difficult due to the ecological importance of extreme conditions, the noisy nature of short‐term data collected with limited resources, and complexities introduced by biotic interactions. Here, we provide a suite of case studies that have considered possible impacts of anthropogenic climate change on Australian terrestrial systems. Our intention is to provide a diverse collection of stories illustrating how Australian flora and fauna are likely responding to direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic climate change. We aim to raise awareness rather than be comprehensive. We include case studies covering canopy dieback in forests, compositional shifts in vegetation, positive feedbacks between climate, vegetation and disturbance regimes, local extinctions in plants, size changes in birds, phenological shifts in reproduction and shifting biotic interactions that threaten communities and endangered species. Some of these changes are direct and clear cut, others are indirect and less clearly connected to climate change; however, all are important in providing insights into the future state of terrestrial ecosystems. We also highlight some of the management issues relevant to conserving terrestrial communities and ecosystems in the face of anthropogenic climate change.
89 citations
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National University of Cordoba1, Max Planck Society2, VU University Amsterdam3, Macquarie University4, University of Grenoble5, University of Lyon6, Industrial University of Santander7, Leipzig University8, University of Oldenburg9, Imperial College London10, University of Montpellier11, Forschungszentrum Jülich12, University of Minnesota13, University of Western Sydney14, University of New South Wales15, Royal Botanic Gardens16, George Washington University17, Missouri Botanical Garden18, Paul Sabatier University19, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute20, Komarov Botanical Institute21, University of Bordeaux22, Institut national de la recherche agronomique23, Florida International University24, University of Insubria25, University of Milan26, Université de Sherbrooke27, Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza28
TL;DR: Analysis of worldwide variation in six major traits critical to growth, survival and reproduction within the largest sample of vascular plant species ever compiled found that occupancy of six-dimensional trait space is strongly concentrated, indicating coordination and trade-offs.
Abstract: The authors found that the key elements of plant form and function, analysed at global scale, are largely concentrated into a two-dimensional plane indexed by the size of whole plants and organs on the one hand, and the construction costs for photosynthetic leaf area, on the other.
1,814 citations
1,390 citations
TL;DR: There is room for an extra 0.9 billion hectares of canopy cover, which could store 205 gigatonnes of carbon in areas that would naturally support woodlands and forests, which highlights global tree restoration as one of the most effective carbon drawdown solutions to date.
Abstract: The restoration of trees remains among the most effective strategies for climate change mitigation. We mapped the global potential tree coverage to show that 4.4 billion hectares of canopy cover could exist under the current climate. Excluding existing trees and agricultural and urban areas, we found that there is room for an extra 0.9 billion hectares of canopy cover, which could store 205 gigatonnes of carbon in areas that would naturally support woodlands and forests. This highlights global tree restoration as our most effective climate change solution to date. However, climate change will alter this potential tree coverage. We estimate that if we cannot deviate from the current trajectory, the global potential canopy cover may shrink by ~223 million hectares by 2050, with the vast majority of losses occurring in the tropics. Our results highlight the opportunity of climate change mitigation through global tree restoration but also the urgent need for action.
1,052 citations
TL;DR: The extent of the trait data compiled in TRY is evaluated and emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness are analyzed to conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements.
Abstract: Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives.
882 citations
University of Florida1, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven2, Queensland Museum3, James Cook University4, University of Melbourne5, University of Queensland6, Chinese Academy of Sciences7, BirdLife International8, University of Cambridge9, Zoological Society of London10, Norwegian Polar Institute11, University of Hong Kong12, Sapienza University of Rome13, Stellenbosch University14, University of British Columbia15, University of Hawaii16, National University of Singapore17, Wildlife Conservation Society18
TL;DR: The full range and scale of climate change effects on global biodiversity that have been observed in natural systems are described, and a set of core ecological processes that underpin ecosystem functioning and support services to people are identified.
Abstract: Most ecological processes now show responses to anthropogenic climate change. In terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, species are changing genetically, physiologically, morphologically, and phenologically and are shifting their distributions, which affects food webs and results in new interactions. Disruptions scale from the gene to the ecosystem and have documented consequences for people, including unpredictable fisheries and crop yields, loss of genetic diversity in wild crop varieties, and increasing impacts of pests and diseases. In addition to the more easily observed changes, such as shifts in flowering phenology, we argue that many hidden dynamics, such as genetic changes, are also taking place. Understanding shifts in ecological processes can guide human adaptation strategies. In addition to reducing greenhouse gases, climate action and policy must therefore focus equally on strategies that safeguard biodiversity and ecosystems.
815 citations