Intraspecific trait variation at a continental scale

Understanding variation in the drivers of community composition across taxa and systems informs ecological theory and conservation. Traits provide a currency for understanding community assembly. Most studies focus on mean trait values for species, ignoring local adaptation and intraspecific variation that are critical for understanding mechanisms underlying community assembly and structure. With NEON data on intraspecific traits of small mammals, beetles, and plants, we will assess how assembly processes internal to the community (e.g., biotic interactions, microenvironmental heterogeneity) and assembly processes external to the community (e.g., climate, land use) affect trait variation and community structure at a continental scale.