title: [Plant functional type and its significance in ecological research].
abstract: In recent years, plant functional type is a new ecological concept introduced in the research of global change. This paper reviewed the definition, classification, ecological significance of plant functional type. The theories and methodologies of systematic biology were used to understand the concept of plant functional type. And finally, the significance of this term in ecological studies, especially its role in the study of global change and terrestrial ecosystem was explained.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Natural Disaster, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875. tanghp@bnu.edu.cn
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D004463:Ecology; D004777:Environment; D063245:Plant Development; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena