Taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity are well established tools for understanding community composition in ecosystems. However, species differ not only in identity but also in the roles they fulfil in the environment, making the study of functional diversity essential for linking biodiversity to ecosystem functioning and informing conservation strategies. In this seminar, Axel Gualdoni-Becerra, a PhD student at the University of Göttingen, will present the ecological relevance of functional trait-based approaches and introduce his doctoral research in the largest dry forest in the world - and the most deforested subtropical forest globally - the Dry Chaco Forest of South America. Spanning a 400 km rainfall gradient, Axel sampled more than 70 woody plant species across forest patches and remnant forest strips. By measuring key functional traits, he aims to understand how species respond to environmental stress and landscape fragmentation, and how community-level trait distributions vary with land use and climate. His findings will provide insights into plant strategies under extreme conditions and serve as a foundation for identifying conservation priorities and ecosystem resilience in dry forests facing rapid land use changes.