Plant functional traits as indicators of forest management strategies and ecological resilience

Forests are complex socio-ecological systems that deliver key ecosystem services such as biodiversity conservation, water regulation, carbon storage and timber production. Increasingly, traditional timber-focused management is giving way to ecosystem-based approaches that incorporate plant traits into forest management plans. This shift supports biodiversity conservation, improves ecosystem resilience and promotes long-term forest health. Plant functional traits such as wood density, leaf size, root depth and specific leaf area, play a key role in regulating ecosystem processes and elucidating interactions between tree species and their environment. This review summarises current evidence that trait-based frameworks improve forest management, support climate change efforts and enhance ecosystem services. A structured literature search identified studies linking functional diversity to ecosystem stability, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling and adaptability. By focusing on functional traits, this approach provides insight into how these traits influence ecosystem functions like carbon storage, nutrient recycling and habitat availability. Furthermore, practitioners can predict forest responses to climate change and other biotic and abiotic stresses by incorporating functional traits into forest management strategies, thereby fostering ecosystem services. Overall, integrating functional traits provides a robust framework for improving forest resilience, conserving biodiversity and balancing ecological health with economic goals in changing climate scenarios.