Herbaceous plants in forest ecosystems: one hundred fundamental and applied questions

Abstract

Aims Herbaceous plants (herbs) found in the understory of forests contribute substantially to the biodiversity of these ecosystems, as well as being important socio-culturally, economically, and for advancing ecological theory. However, the ecology of herbs is less well understood compared with woody plants, despite evidence that herbs are physiologically and ecologically different. Similarly, herb research has focused on north temperate forests, with less information from forests in the tropics and Global South. Understanding this knowledge gap, and recognizing the critical importance of expanding and streamlining the scope of research on forest herbs, we set out to identify 100 fundamental and applied questions related to the ecology of this distinct plant group. Methods We first conducted a survey shared widely online with the ecological community, which generated a total of 130 questions. We then held a 3-day workshop involving invited herb researchers with expertise in various forest ecosystems, during which the questions were narrowed down through multiple rounds of discussion, revision, and rewording. For conceptual clarity, we then grouped the questions into 19 subject areas, although some questions are relevant to multiple subject areas. Conclusions These questions serve as a road map for future research in fundamental and applied herbaceous ecology in forested ecosystems. A common theme that emerged from this exercise was the need for standardized protocols to generate comparable data on terrestrial herbs from forests across the planet, including all forest types, biomes, and types of anthropogenic impacts. Research to address these questions will yield knowledge critical for advancing fundamental understanding of this ecologically important group of plants as well as the vital ecosystem services they provide, especially under global change, thus aiding better conservation and restoration policy and practice for forest ecosystems.