Scaling from Species to Vegetation: The Usefulness of Functional Groups

  • Ch. Körner
Chapter
Part of the Praktische Zahnmedizin Odonto-Stomatologie Pratique Practical Dental Medicine book series (SSE, volume 99)

Abstract

The major constraints in predicting vegetation responses to atmospheric changes are the complexity of interactions between plants and their biotic and abiotic environment. Unless we decide to wait and see what the truth will be, we are left with the need to simulate future vegetation responses. This can be done both experimentally and by computer models. Experimental simulations are limited in space and time and can, at best, reveal transitional response characteristics and trends. Models, on the other hand, are not space and time limited but depend totally on accurate parameterization. This causes them to be dependent on experimentation which provides real data.

Keywords

Leaf Area Ratio Leaf Life Span Carbohydrate Accumulation Physiological Plant Ecology Leaf Weight Ratio 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1994

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  • Ch. Körner

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