Functional trait-based approaches as a common framework for aquatic ecologists: Synthesis and recent results
Résumé
Aquatic ecologists face challenges in identifying the general rules of the functioning of ecosystems. A common framework, including freshwater, marine, benthic, and pelagic ecologists, is needed to bridge communication gaps and foster knowledge sharing. This framework should transcend local specificities and taxonomy in order to provide a common ground and shareable tools to address common scientific challenges. In a recent review paper published in Limnology and Oceanography (Martini et al., 2021), we advocated the use of functional trait-based approaches (FTBAs) for aquatic ecologists and proposed concrete paths to go forward. In this presentation, we will first present an overview of this synthesis work. Then, using a few examples of recent results, including from quantitative imaging, genomics, and machine learning, we will then concretely illustrate how FTBAs can allow aquatic ecologists to tackle some of the scientific challenges identified in the paper.