Matthew S. Waldram

TL;DR: TRY as discussed by the authors is a global database of plant traits, including morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants and their organs, which can be used for a wide range of research from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology to biogeography.

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.

TL;DR: It is suggested that, while soil resources, including nutrients and moisture, are probably instrumental in determining tree growth rates, disturbances from fire and herbivory may be instrumental in limiting tree cover and facilitating the coexistence of trees and grasses in savannas.

TL;DR: It is proposed that the White Rhino acts as an influential ecosystem engineer, creating and maintaining short grass swards, which alter habitat for other grazers and change the fire regime.

TL;DR: The results do not support the hypothesis that tropical plants have higher levels of resistance traits than do plants from higher latitudes, and if anything, plants haveHigher resistance toward the poles.