Trait-based island biogeography as a tool for studying future ecological communities

Abstract

Understanding the future of ecological communities under global change is among the most pressing challenges in plant ecology. Islands, with their reduced species diversity and clear boundaries, have been central in developing ecological theories and have served as valuable ecological models. But islands are also important in themselves, supporting unique diversity and acting as species refugia. This Tansley insight first discusses recent advances in island research with a focus on new theories linking functional traits to plant community assembly and then highlights implications for community assembly and conservation in response to global change. Understanding how plant traits respond to changing environmental conditions is critical for predicting the future of island floras and devising effective management strategies.