Documented Traits
The Literature Review module currently contains information on over 100 plant traits for more than 1400 species. New traits are added regularly or standardized in collaboration with members of the network. Further, these new data contributions also increase the number of species documented for a given trait.
It should be noted that the TOPIC database includes not only traits, but also indices of ecological performance, such as indices of shade tolerance and information on species’ edaphic preferences.
Factsheet on the data contained in the TOPIC Literature Review Module (printable pdf format)
I. Morphology and strategy of the adult plant
Trait name | Type of data | Percent documented** | Standardization |
---|---|---|---|
Morphological type | Nominal | 64% | Standardized |
Raunkiaer life form | Nominal | 64% | Standardized |
Maximum height | Numerical | 78% | Standardized |
Life Cycle | Nominal | 63% | Standardized |
Lateral extension | Nominal | 27% | In progress |
Vegetative propagation | Nominal | 61% | In progress |
Underground storage | Nominal | 34% | In progress |
Foliage type | Nominal | 58% | Standardized |
Foliage persistence | Nominal | 56% | Standardized |
Foliage structure | Nominal | 50% | Standardized |
Foliage orientation | Nominal | 3% | In progress |
Root depth | Nominal or numerical | 30% | In progress |
Physical defence | Nominal | 48% | Standardized |
Growth | Nominal | 35% | In progress |
Nutritional adaptations | Nominal | 3% | In progress |
Fire resistance | Nominal | 16% | In progress |
Stem-specific density | Numerical | NA | In progress |
Xylem cavitation | Numerical | NA | In progress |
Minimum stem water potential | Numerical | NA | In progress |
Leaf mass per area | Numerical | NA | In progress |
Leaf area | Numerical | NA | In progress |
Specific leaf area | Numerical | NA | In progress |
Leaf thickness | Numerical | NA | In progress |
Leaf area: Sapwood Area Ratio | Numerical | NA | In progress |
Leaf dry matter content | Numerical | NA | In progress |
Stomatal density | Numerical | NA | In progress |
Guard cell length | Numerical | NA | In progress |
Minimum leaf water potential | Numerical | NA | In progress |
II. Strategy for regeneration and dispersal
Trait name | Type of data | Percent documented** | Standardization |
---|---|---|---|
Mode of reproduction | Nominal | 52% | Standardized |
Flowering phenology | Nominal | 60% | Standardized |
Inflorescence type | Nominal | 52% | Standardized |
Inflorescence colour | Nominal | 53% | Standardized |
Cleistogamous | Nominal | 42% | Standardized |
Pollination vector | Nominal | 38% | In progress |
Age of sexual maturity | Numerical | 25% | In progress |
Seed production | Nominal | 25% | In progress |
Seed dispersal vector | Nominal | 76% | Standardized |
Seed length | Numerical | 64% | Standardized |
Seed width | Numerical | 20% | Standardized |
Seed depth | Numerical | 12% | Standardized |
Dispersule length | Numerical | 31% | Standardized |
Dispersule width | Numerical | 9% | Standardized |
Dispersule depth | Numerical | 1% | Standardized |
Dispersule type | Nominal | 55% | In progress |
Seed persistence | Nominal | 47% | In progress |
Seed dormancy | Nominal | 41% | Standardized |
Seed weight | Numerical | 74%a | Standardized |
Age of optimum seed production | Numerical | 11% | In progress |
Frequency of good seed crops | Numerical | 14% | In progress |
Fire tolerance | Nominal | 16% | In progress |
Seed viability | Numerical | NA | In progress |
III. Resource utilization
Trait name | Type of data | Percent documented** | Standardization |
---|---|---|---|
Water preference | Nominal | 80%b | In progress |
Light requirement | Nominal | 49% | Standardized |
Maximum pH | Numerical | 7% | Standardized |
Minimum pH | Numerical | 7% | Standardized |
Minimum tolerable temperature | Numerical | 16% | In progress |
Minimum tolerable Rainfall | Numerical | 16% | In progress |
Minimum frost free days | Numerical | 16% | In progress |
Drought tolerance | Nominal | 16% | In progress |
Leaf nitrogen content | Numerical | NA | In progress |
Leaf phosphorous content | Numerical | NA | In progress |
Photosynthetic capacity | Numerical | NA | In progress |
IV. Others
Trait name | Type of data | Percent documented** | Standardization |
---|---|---|---|
Status | Nominal | 59% | Standardized |
Habitat description | Descriptive | 54% | In progress |
Disturbance earthworm invasion | Nominal | 7% | In progress |
**Total number of species excludes those for which only the traits seed weight and/or water preference are documented