Plant Species Defy Odds: New Study Reveals Unexpected Diversity Dynamics

**Groundbreaking research** led by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and the University of Bologna reveals **unexpected insights** into plant species diversity. A global analysis of around 1.7 million datasets challenges the previous notion that closely related plant species perform distinct ecological roles. Traditionally, it was believed that there should be a positive correlation between the plants' functional traits and their phylogenetic diversity in ecosystems. However, the study shows that this applies only to specific regions, like mixed forests in Northern Europe, and not to most terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. Researchers used the world's largest vegetation database, 'sPlot', and the plant traits database 'TRY' to compare vegetation records and plant phylogenies from around the globe. The findings suggest that **functional diversity can often outpace phylogenetic diversity** in many ecosystems, highlighting the need for a revised approach to nature conservation. It emphasizes that **protecting ecosystems requires understanding both functional and phylogenetic diversity**, as both contribute to an ecosystem's resilience against climate change.