Life-forms

Ecology seeks to find patterns in the (literally and mathematically) chaotic behaviour of biological communities. An effective way to do this is to group organisms according to shared characteristics that account for and sometimes even predict their fitness in relation to the biotic and abiotic challenges of particular environments. Such groupings are sometimes referred to as functional types, and the combination of traits shared by members of a particular group as a (survival) strategy (Grime 2001). An example of a simple functional classification of plants would be the division into annuals and perennials which has been elaborated into schemes such as that of Raunkiaer (1934). Amongst the more complex categorisations are r-K selection (Getz 1993), the C-S-R system (Grime 1977) and Westoby’s (1998) LHS scheme. In each case the configuration of organ and plant senescence in space and time is, directly or indirectly, a key factor in assigning a given plant to a particular class.

References

• Getz WM (1993) Metaphysiological and evolutionary dynamics of populations exploiting constant and interactive resources - r-K selection revisited. Evolutionary Ecology 7: 287-305.
• Grime JP (1977) Evidence for the existence of three primary strategies in plants and its relevance to ecological and evolutionary theory. American Naturalist 111: 1169-1194.
• Grime JP (2001) Plant Strategies, Vegetation Processes and Ecosystem Properties. 2nd edition. Chichester: Wiley.
• Raunkiaer C (1934) The Life Forms of Plants. Oxford University Press.
• Westoby M (1998) A leaf-height-seed (LHS) plant ecology strategy scheme. Plant and Soil 199: 213-227.