Towards a functional phytosociology: the functional ecology of woody diagnostic species and their vegetation classes in Northern Italy

Vegetation is often classified through phytosociology, which defines floristically and ecologically coherent units identified by diagnostic species. Since species- community-environment relations are regulated plant functional traits, it likely that phytosociology has a strong underpinning, although the past current does not explicitly tackle this issue. Here we provide an analysis of traits 221 woody species from Northern Italy, 21 European vegetation classes (including alien dominated ones). We assessed whether space occupied selected corresponds to physiognomy ecology they represent, could help evaluate major threats, such as invasion For each collected Authors’ datasets leaf trait data (leaf area, specific dry matter content, carbon nitrogen ratio, content) whole (plant height, seed mass) calculated Competitor, Stress-tolerant, Ruderal (CSR) scores. multidimensional clustered according their scores in space, check was coherently represented mirrored CSR space. Lastly, tested for differences between native neophyte overlap with classes. Diagnostic global spectrum form function, showed pattern ecology. Evergreen similar convergence toward conservative characteristics stress-tolerant strategy, opposed deciduous forest tendency competitive strategy. None marked ruderal thus abiotic stress biotic competition main ecological drivers affecting vegetation. Neophyte exhibited relatively more strategies compared natives, be facilitated resource-limited or mildly disturbed environments, should climate warming increased nutrient availability occur. demonstrated reliably indicate structure functions phytosociological opening way development “functional phytosociology”.