‘MultiTraits': an integrated R package for analysis and visualization of multidimensional plant traits

The multidimensional characteristics of plant traits and their trade‐offs are central to ecology. However, there is a lack of systematic and standardized tools for analyzing these intricate relationships. To fill this gap, we developed the ‘MultiTraits' R package, which incorporates four complementary analytical modules: competitors–stress tolerators–ruderals strategy analysis, leaf–height–seed strategy analysis, niche periodic table analysis, and plant trait network analysis. This package provides standardized workflows and highly customizable visualization tools, enabling researchers to systematically explore and quantify multidimensional plant trait data. Using the Pine Forests Flora dataset as a case study, we demonstrated the package's effectiveness in identifying plant community trait patterns and ecological strategies. We anticipate that the ‘MultiTraits' package will become an essential tool for functional ecology research, facilitating systematic exploration of multidimensional plant trait data and driving new insights in the field.

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Publication Details

Journal
Ecography
Published
2026-03-07
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ecog.08026
Primary Topic
Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

‘MultiTraits': an integrated R package for analysis and visualization of multidimensional plant traits

J.Y. Lai, Zhaogang Liu, Lingfeng Mao, Yan He
Ecography
Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
article

‘MultiTraits': an integrated R package for analysis and visualization of multidimensional plant traits

J.Y. Lai, Zhaogang Liu, Lingfeng Mao, Yan He
article en

Abstract

The multidimensional characteristics of plant traits and their trade‐offs are central to ecology. However, there is a lack of systematic and standardized tools for analyzing these intricate relationships. To fill this gap, we developed the ‘MultiTraits' R package, which incorporates four complementary analytical modules: competitors–stress tolerators–ruderals strategy analysis, leaf–height–seed strategy analysis, niche periodic table analysis, and plant trait network analysis. This package provides standardized workflows and highly customizable visualization tools, enabling researchers to systematically explore and quantify multidimensional plant trait data. Using the Pine Forests Flora dataset as a case study, we demonstrated the package's effectiveness in identifying plant community trait patterns and ecological strategies. We anticipate that the ‘MultiTraits' package will become an essential tool for functional ecology research, facilitating systematic exploration of multidimensional plant trait data and driving new insights in the field.

Ecography
Nanjing Forestry University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 36%
Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
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