plant functional types

Plant functional types (PFTs) are groups of plants classified based on shared characteristics that influence their role in ecosystems, such as how they grow, reproduce, and use resources like water and nutrients. Instead of focusing on individual species, PFTs help scientists understand and predict how different plants contribute to processes like carbon storage, soil health, and climate interactions. For example, grasses, trees, and shrubs each represent different PFTs because they have distinct features and functions. This classification simplifies the study of diverse plant communities and their impacts on environmental systems.