1. Recent research has highlighted the existence of significant intraspecific trait variation within and among populations of plant species. This inherent variation within species means there is a wealth of trait diversity from which to source germplasm for use in ecological restoration. However, it remains unclear how to source materials from this pool of trait diversity in order to achieve desired outcomes and support ecosystem function in a restoration context.
2. We provide a framework to study the structure of trait variation across populations and genotypes in an effort to bridge functional trait research with the sourcing of native plant materials for restoration. We investigated the structure of intraspecific functional trait variation in three forb species used in restoration on the Colorado Plateau to (a) understand the structure of functional trait variation within and among populations, and (b) determine if individual and multivariate functional traits differ between populations while accounting for trait variation within and among genotypes.
3. We found considerable functional trait variation at all sampling levels, with variation within populations often surpassing variation among populations. Still, we observed population‐level differences in trait values in 8 of the 12 species‐by‐trait combinations and populations largely segregated in multivariate trait space.
4. Synthesis and applications. Using micropropagation techniques, we uncovered population‐level differences in functional trait variation, suggesting that mixing populations to create restoration germplasm following a regional admixture provenancing approach could lead to increased functional diversity in restorations. However, the substantial trait variation identified within some populations of our study species also suggests a similar potential when utilizing genotypically diverse material from even a single population. Further research on these and other species is needed to understand the structure of intraspecific functional trait variation and how it impacts ecosystem function. The approach outlined in this study can assist researchers in assessing the underlying trait variation present in various restoration materials and provide managers with more detailed information that can help make germplasm sourcing decisions.

中文翻译：

---

恢复相关物种的种内功能性状结构：对恢复种子来源的影响

1. 最近的研究突出了在植物种群内部和种群之间存在明显的种内性状变异。物种内部的这种固有变异意味着存在大量的性状多样性，可以从中获取种质用于生态恢复。但是，仍然不清楚如何从这种性状多样性库中获取材料，以便在恢复的情况下实现预期的结果并支持生态系统功能。
2. 我们提供了一个框架，以研究跨种群和基因型的性状变异结构，以期将功能性状研究与本地植物材料的修复联系起来。我们调查了科罗拉多高原恢复中使用的三种Forb物种的种内功能性状变异的结构，以（a）了解种群内和种群之间的功能性状变异的结构，以及（b）确定种群之间的个体和多元功能性状是否不同同时考虑基因型内部和基因之间的性状变异。
3. 我们发现在所有采样水平上都有相当大的功能性状变异，种群内部的变异通常超过种群之间的变异。尽管如此，我们仍观察到了12个物种/特征组合中的8个特征值的种群水平差异，并且种群在多元特征空间中很大程度上隔离。
4. 综合与应用。使用微繁殖技术，我们发现了功能性状变异的种群水平差异，这表明按照区域掺混物来源方法混合种群以创建恢复种质可能会导致恢复中功能多样性的增加。但是，在我们的研究物种的某些种群中发现的大量性状变异也表明，即使从单个种群中利用基因型多样的材料，也具有相似的潜力。需要进一步研究这些物种和其他物种，以了解种内功能性状变异的结构及其如何影响生态系统功能。