Trait-based ecology tools in R

Abstract

Functional ecology is the branch of ecology that focuses on various functions that species play in the community or ecosystem in which they occur. The present R material is accompanying the book “Handbook of trait-based ecology: from theory to R tools” (Cambridge University Press) (https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/handbook-of-traitbased-ecology/D79AC6C55CA7D3977AD297ED30A38EF0 ) which offers the main concepts and tools in trait-based ecology, and their tricks, covering different trophic levels and organism types. The book, and this accompanying R material, are designed for students, researchers and practitioners who wish to get a handy synthesis of existing concepts, tools and trends in trait-based ecology, and wish to apply it to their own field of interest. For 9 of the 12 chapters of the book, specific R material is presented here. Exercises specifically designed to be run in R, are included, along with accompanying on-line resources including solutions for exercises and R functions, and updates reflecting current developments in this fast-changing field. This R material includes different type of indices of biodiversity and the typical toolbox for a functional ecologist. Based on more than a decade of teaching experience, the authors developed and improved the way theoretical aspects and analytical tools of trait-based ecology are best explained and introduced to readers.