TPD

TPD quantifies and analyzes functional diversity (FD) across ecological scales by modeling trait distributions as trait probability density functions that explicitly account for intraspecific trait variability (ITV).

Key Features:

• Trait Probability Density Functions: Computes trait probability density functions to represent the probabilistic distribution of traits within populations, species, and communities.
• Multi-Scale Analysis: Partitions and analyzes functional diversity across hierarchical spatial and biological scales from individuals to species and from local to global levels.
• Incorporation of Intraspecific Trait Variability (ITV): Explicitly integrates ITV into trait distributions to refine estimates of functional diversity.
• Comprehensive Functional Diversity Indices: Implements probabilistic calculations of functional richness, evenness, divergence, redundancy, and rarity using trait probability densities.
• Beta Functional Diversity Decomposition: Decomposes beta functional diversity into nested and unique components to assess species turnover and uniqueness across contexts.

Scientific Applications:

• Global change impacts on biodiversity: Evaluates how environmental change affects functional diversity by accounting for probabilistic trait distributions and ITV.
• Ecological restoration: Informs restoration by characterizing functional composition and redundancy within and among communities.
• Comparative regional and case-study analyses: Enables standardized comparison of functional diversity patterns across regions and case studies using a unified probabilistic framework.

Methodology:

Computes trait probability density functions; partitions trait distributions across multiple spatial and biological scales; incorporates intraspecific trait variability; computes probabilistic functional diversity indices (richness, evenness, divergence, redundancy, rarity); and decomposes beta functional diversity into nested and unique components.