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.