Functional traits and ecological affinities of riparian plants along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon
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Abstract
Trait-based approaches to vegetation analyses are becoming more prevalent in studies of riparian vegetation dynamics, including responses to flow regulation, groundwater pumping, and climate change. These analyses require species trait data compiled from the literature and floras or original field measurements. Gathering such data makes trait-based research time intensive at best and impracticable in some cases. To support trait-based analysis of vegetation along the Colorado River through Grand Canyon, a data set of 20 biological traits and ecological affinities for 179 species occurring in that study area was compiled. This diverse flora shares species with many riparian areas in the western USA and includes species that occur across a wide moisture gradient. Data were compiled from published scientific papers, unpublished reports, plant fact sheets, existing trait databases, regional floras, and plant guides. Data for ordinal environmental tolerances were more readily available than were quantitative traits. More publicly available data are needed for traits of both common and rare southwestern U.S. plant species to facilitate comprehensive, trait-based research. The trait data set is free to use and can be downloaded from ScienceBase: https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/58af41dee4b01ccd54f9f2ff and https://dx.doi.org/10.5066/F7QV3JN1
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Functional traits and ecological affinities of riparian plants along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon |
| Series title | Western North American Naturalist |
| DOI | 10.3398/064.077.0104 |
| Volume | 77 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2017 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University |
| Contributing office(s) | Southwest Biological Science Center |
| Description | 9 p. |
| First page | 22 |
| Last page | 30 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| Other Geospatial | Colorado River, Grand Canyon |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |