Research priorities on herbaceous plants in forests
Our goal for this survey is to:
Identify and prioritize unanswered fundamental and applied research questions related to the dynamics and diversity of herbaceous plants in forest ecosystems across the world.
This project aims to enable and drive forward significant advances in our fundamental understanding of the ecology of herbaceous plants in forested ecosystems.
Who can participate?
Anyone with any experience studying, working with, and researching herbaceous plants in forests are welcome to participate in the survey. Participation is not limited to persons affiliated with universities or research institutions.
Can I share this survey with others?
Yes! We invite you to share the survey with other members of your personal and professional network who may also work with herbaceous plants.
Why herbaceous plants?
Studies of forest biology and ecology have focused mainly on trees. However, trees often comprise less than a quarter of the plant species at any one site. Herbaceous plants have anatomical, physiological, and competitive differences from woody plants, and often quite different life-history strategies. Thus, the biological patterns and processes of herbaceous plants may not be the same as for trees. This major knowledge gap severely restricts our understanding of forest biodiversity and ecosystem function.
What is a forest?
For this survey, ‘forested ecosystems’ can include:
- boreal, temperate, subtropical, or tropical forests;
- wet, moist, or dry forests;
- wetland, lowland, upland, montane/alpine;
- urban, managed, fragmented, secondary, or primary;
- island, forests, woodlands, or savannas
What is the scope of our survey?
We are interested in specific questions that could be answered by a small-to-medium research team or collaboration, with moderate research funding, over several years. Similar recent efforts by other researchers have included:
- Sutherland et al. 2013. Identification of 100 fundamental ecological questions, and
- Sutherland et al. 2009. One hundred questions of importance to the conservation of biological diversity.
Who is funding this survey?
This survey is supported by NSF grant # DEB 2203958.
How do I hear more?
Any questions may be directed to forestherbdiversity@gmail.com