The AusTraits plant dictionary

Authors

Elizabeth H. Wenk, UNSW Sydney
Hervé Sauquet, UNSW Sydney
Rachael V. Gallagher, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
Rowan Brownlee, Australian Research Data Commons
Carl Boettiger, University of California, Berkeley
David Coleman, UNSW Sydney
Sophie Yang, UNSW Sydney
Tony Auld, New South Wales Department of Planning & Environment
Russell Barrett, UNSW Sydney
Timothy Brodribb, University of Tasmania
Brendan Choat, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
Lily Dun, UNSW Sydney
David Ellsworth, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
Carl Gosper, Conservation and Attractions
Lydia Guja, Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research
Gregory J. Jordan, University of Tasmania
Tom Le Breton, UNSW Sydney
Andrea Leigh, University of Technology Sydney
Patricia Lu-Irving, National Herbarium of NSW
Belinda Medlyn, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
Rachael Nolan, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
Mark Ooi, UNSW Sydney
Karen D. Sommerville, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
Peter Vesk, University of Melbourne
Matthew White, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research
Ian J. Wright, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment
Daniel S. Falster, UNSW Sydney

Publication Name

Scientific Data

Abstract

Traits with intuitive names, a clear scope and explicit description are essential for all trait databases. The lack of unified, comprehensive, and machine-readable plant trait definitions limits the utility of trait databases, including reanalysis of data from a single database, or analyses that integrate data across multiple databases. Both can only occur if researchers are confident the trait concepts are consistent within and across sources. Here we describe the AusTraits Plant Dictionary (APD), a new data source of terms that extends the trait definitions included in a recent trait database, AusTraits. The development process of the APD included three steps: review and formalisation of the scope of each trait and the accompanying trait description; addition of trait metadata; and publication in both human and machine-readable forms. Trait definitions include keywords, references, and links to related trait concepts in other databases, enabling integration of AusTraits with other sources. The APD will both improve the usability of AusTraits and foster the integration of trait data across global and regional plant trait databases.

Open Access Status

This publication may be available as open access

Volume

11

Issue

1

Article Number

537

Funding Number

CE200100015

Funding Sponsor

Australian Research Data Commons