Articles
| Open Access |
DOI: EVALUATING FUNCTIONAL DISTANCES OF WOODY SPECIES AS INDICATORS OF ECOLOGICAL ELASTICITY AND PROVISION FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT
Diress Abebe , Forestry Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaAbstract
Understanding the functional distances of woody species in forest ecosystems is crucial for assessing their ecological elasticity and providing valuable insights for forest management practices. Functional distances reflect the ecological dissimilarity between species based on their functional traits, such as growth rates, seed dispersal mechanisms, and tolerance to environmental conditions. This study aims to evaluate the functional distances of woody species and their potential as indicators of ecological elasticity and provision for forest management. By analyzing functional trait data and species composition in different forest stands, functional distances are calculated using appropriate metrics, such as functional trait dissimilarity indices. The results provide a quantitative measure of the ecological dissimilarity between species, allowing for the identification of species that play key roles in ecosystem functioning and resilience. Additionally, the functional distances can inform forest management decisions, including species selection for reforestation, ecosystem restoration, and the promotion of biodiversity. This research contributes to the development of sustainable forest management strategies by integrating functional ecology and species trait-based approaches.
Keywords
Functional distances, woody species, ecological elasticity
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