Conclusions
In this study, we focused on non-acquisitive traits and functions affecting plant persistence. This topic is largely neglected in functional ecology and biogeography, which typically deal with resource acquisition, dispersal, and sexual reproduction. Our work constitutes one of the first attempts to explore plant persistence-related traits inter- and intraspecifically in insular systems and one of the few to examine changing patterns of these traits across different gradients. Soil properties and insularity confirmed their major role in shaping the persistence strategies of edaphic island plant species. These drivers may exert their effect on specific functions (e.g. belowground resource conservation captured by BDMC). Additionally, we unambiguously identified that clonal species had different persistence strategies than non-clonal ones. The responses of clonal species to major drivers were highly consistent, while non-clonal plants showed distinct and species-specific responses. Lastly, insights into what makes plant species persist in-situ can help estimate extinction risk and inform conservation planning of priority elements, such as insular biota.