EcoSIM Trait Deriver

Use When

Use this skill for EcoSIM trait derivation tasks where:

• the user gives a plant name such as Limber Pine or maize
• a local plant_trait.*.desc file is available as the EcoSIM template
• you need to derive a species-specific parameter set from web evidence rather than just copying template values

What this skill does

• Parses the template .desc file into functional-type blocks
• Extracts normalized parameter rows from each template block
• Uses ndlf43 as the default tree archetype
• Uses gr3s43 as the default grass archetype
• Guides web- and online-literature-based derivation of trait values for a named plant
• Separates values into:
  • directly supported by sources
  • inferred from close biological evidence
  • left at template defaults when no defensible evidence exists

Required behavior

Treat every plant_trait.*.desc file as a read-only reference. Parse and inspect it, but never edit, overwrite, patch, or generate a replacement .desc file. Apply approved parameter changes to ecosim_pftpar_*.nc through the ecosim-pftpar-editor skill and ParamEditor.py.

When the user asks for traits for a named plant, do not treat the template .desc values as species truth.

Instead:

1. Identify whether the target plant should start from the tree archetype ndlf43 or the grass archetype gr3s43.
2. Parse the template file with scripts/extract_trait_profiles.py.
3. Search both the web and online literature for plant-specific evidence.
4. Map the evidence onto EcoSIM trait codes.
5. Keep a clear distinction between:
   • observed or explicitly reported values
   • values inferred from authoritative descriptions
   • values retained from the template because evidence is missing

Source priority

Use sources in this order whenever possible:

1. Official taxonomic or species-profile sources for identity and life form.
2. Official crop or forestry databases for ecology, growth form, phenology, and environmental tolerances.
3. Peer-reviewed papers and online literature sources for quantitative physiological, morphological, nutrient, and hydraulic trait values.
4. Reputable extension or botanic-garden sources only as a fallback.

Preferred source types:

• Trees:
  • USDA Forest Service species pages
  • Fire Effects Information System
  • Kew POWO for taxonomy and growth form
• Grasses and crops:
  • FAO ECOCROP
  • USDA sources
  • peer-reviewed crop physiology literature
• Cross-cutting plant traits:
  • TRY database metadata and linked literature
  • peer-reviewed trait papers
  • online journal articles, books, theses, and technical reports when they provide primary trait measurements or defensible synthesis values

Literature search requirement

For quantitative trait derivation, do not stop at species profile pages if the trait is likely to be reported in the literature.

You should actively search online literature for traits such as:

• VCMX, VOMX, ETMX
• SLA1
• leaf N and P concentrations
• seed mass and seedling carbon allocation
• root depth, rooting pattern, and fine-root traits
• hydraulic or drought-response traits

Use species-level sources first. If species-level values are not available, fall back in this order:

1. congeneric species
2. closely related taxa with similar life form and climate niche
3. functional-type syntheses for the same growth form

When using non-species fallbacks, mark the trait as inferred rather than sourced.

Web workflow

Before doing substantial web- or literature-based derivation work, read references/web_trait_derivation.md.

For a plant like Limber Pine or maize:

1. Resolve the accepted scientific name and broad life form.
2. Choose the starting archetype:
   • tree, woody conifer, woody broadleaf, shrub-like tree form -> start from ndlf43
   • grass, cereal, herbaceous monocot grass form -> start from gr3s43
3. Gather evidence for:
   • taxonomy and life history
   • climate and habitat
   • phenology
   • morphology
   • root traits
   • photosynthetic and nutrient traits
4. Search online literature specifically for quantitative traits that are not usually present in species profile pages.
5. Update only the traits that have support.
6. If evidence is qualitative rather than numeric, convert only when the mapping is defensible and explain the inference.
7. If no support is found, keep the template value and mark it as template-retained.

Mapping guidance

Use the template as a scaffold, not as a source of truth.

• PLANT CLASS INFORMATION
  • derive from taxonomy, life form, lifespan, growth pattern, phenology, photoperiod, mycorrhizal status
• PHOTOSYNTHETIC PROPERTIES
  • prefer peer-reviewed physiology measurements from online papers, theses, technical reports, or synthesis datasets
  • if unavailable, only adjust high-level expectations such as slower evergreen conifer vs faster crop grass
• OPTICAL PROPERTIES
  • usually retain template unless a credible species- or functional-type source provides values
• PHENOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
  • use flowering time, leafout, senescence, chilling, and photoperiod evidence
• MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
  • use SLA, leaf shape, seed size, canopy architecture, clumping, standing biomass evidence
  • look for seed mass and SLA values in online floras, trait databases, and literature appendices
• ROOT CHARACTERISTICS
  • use rooting depth, woody vs non-woody roots, fine-root structure, mycorrhiza, hydraulic traits if available
  • prioritize literature and technical reports for depth, fine-root morphology, and hydraulic behavior
• ROOT UPTAKE PARAMETERS
  • usually infer from functional type or retain template unless species-specific uptake kinetics are available
• WATER RELATIONS
  • use drought tolerance and water-stress physiology when supported
• ORGAN GROWTH YIELDS and ORGAN N AND P CONCENTRATIONS
  • prefer peer-reviewed measurements or defensible online literature values; otherwise retain template and label as such

Command

python3 .agents/skills/ecosim-trait-deriver/scripts/extract_trait_profiles.py /absolute/path/to/plant_trait.1930.desc

Output shape

The parser script returns JSON with:

• source_file
• available_functional_types
• tree_profile
• grass_profile

These are the template anchor profiles, not the final derived species profile.

Each anchor profile contains:

• functional_type_code
• plant_name
• koppen_climate_info
• trait_count
• traits_by_code
• traits_by_section

When a trait code appears more than once in a block, traits_by_code[CODE] becomes a list in file order instead of dropping later entries.

Expected final deliverable

When the user asks for derivation for a plant name, produce:

• the chosen anchor block: ndlf43 or gr3s43
• the accepted scientific name
• a derived trait table or JSON object
• per-trait provenance labels:
  • sourced
  • inferred
  • template-retained
• source links for the evidence used
• source links for the evidence used, including online literature when applicable

If the user asks for a file output, emit CSV or JSON under result/. Do not emit or modify a .desc file; use the NetCDF editor workflow to apply changes.

Notes

• ndlf43 is the default tree reference block.
• gr3s43 is the default grass reference block.
• The .desc file is a read-only template.
• If the plant does not clearly fit tree or grass, say so and choose the nearest valid EcoSIM archetype explicitly.
• If either template block is missing, fail clearly instead of guessing.