Norman W. H. Mason

TL;DR: This study suggests that decomposition of functional diversity into its three primary components provides a meaningful framework for its quantification and for the classification of existing functional diversity indices.

TL;DR: It is hoped that the definition of functional diversity and its components will aid in elucidation of the mechanisms behind diversity/ecosystem-function relationships.

TL;DR: Empirical evidence is synthesized and a theoretical framework, based on species positions in a functional space, as a tool to reveal the complex nature of change in disturbed ecosystems is presented.

TL;DR: It is demonstrated that functional diversity indices have the potential to reveal the processes that structure biological communities and to accurately assess functional diversity and establish its relationships with ecosystem functioning and environmental constraints.

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.