Functional diversity on marine environments: new perspectives

Marine ecosystems are under anthropogenic pressures degrading both biodiversity and functional diversity. Functional diversity studies identify species functions through trait analysis, and are a robust alternative to the classical taxonomic approach. Although trophic traits are considered predominantly when analyzing functional diversity on marine ecosystem studies, there are other functional traits related to the species functions in the ecosystem. To critically understand the use of existing functional diversity indexes, we analyze them and their trait selection processes. The functional diversity approach improves our understanding of ecosystems and can help us slow and reduce the global-scale biodiversity loss by developing effective frameworks for monitoring and protection. We present some study questions and suggestions about how research should be oriented through functional analysis.