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Cited by 269

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 3 of the 3 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Alternative Designs and the Evolution of Functional Diversity

Marks, Christian O., Lechowicz, Martin J.·2006·The American Naturalist

Abstract

According to conventional wisdom, functional diversity is exclusively a consequence of species having evolved adaptations to fill different niches within a heterogeneous environment. This view anticipates only one optimal combination of trait values in a given environment, but it is also conceivable that alternative designs of equal fitness in the same environment might evolve. To investigate that possibility, we use a genetic algorithm to search for optimal combinations of 34 functional traits in a realistic model of tree seedling growth and survival. We show that separate lineages of seedlings evolving in identical environments result in many alternative functional designs of approximately equal fitness.

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Metadata

Authors
Marks, C. O., & Lechowicz, M. J.
Venue
The American Naturalist
Published
2006-01
Volume
167
Issue
1
Pages
55-66
ISSN
  • 0003-0147 (ISSN-L)
  • 1537-5323
OpenAlex
W2044714978
Cited by
269
References
3
FWCI
3.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Alternative Designs and the Evolution of Functional Diversity. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1086/498276
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Marks, C. O., & Lechowicz, M. J. (2006). Alternative Designs and the Evolution of Functional Diversity. The American Naturalist. https://doi.org/10.1086/498276

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