Outcomes of the new phytologist trait covariation workshop

Ecologists and modelers share a common goal – simplifying structural and functional ecosystem attributes while capturing the diversity observed in nature. The challenge of simplifying admittedly complex systems has spawned advances, and debate. An exciting field of study is being forged at the intersection of ecology and ecosystem modeling, where both communities seek to harness covariation among plant traits. Here we highlight a workshop held in Exeter, UK where scientists sought to assess the direction of this field. Our presentation will appeal to ecologists who gather data, derive knowledge from those data, and incorporate insights into conceptual and predictive models.