Plant functional types – a strategic perspective

This paper discusses the use of Plant Functional Types to describe vegetation types – from plant communities to formations – in order to understand the ecological constraints of plants and plant communities on a higher level of abstraction. The terminology around plant functional types, traits and strategies is in need of further clarification and unification. The use of the term plant functional type is recommended. We are in need of a total environmental framework in which, hierarchically or reticulately, plant functional types can be compared and interpreted.