TitleLocal loss and spatial homogenization of plant diversity reduce ecosystem multifunctionality.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsHautier Y, Isbell F, Borer ET, Seabloom EW, W Harpole S, Lind EM, MacDougall AS, Stevens CJ, Adler PB, Alberti J, Bakker JD, Brudvig LA, Buckley YM, Cadotte M, Caldeira MC, Chaneton EJ, Chu C, Daleo P, Dickman CR, Dwyer JM, Eskelinen A, Fay PA, Firn J, Hagenah N, Hillebrand H, Iribarne O, Kirkman KP, Knops JMH, La Pierre KJ, McCulley RL, Morgan JW, Pärtel M, Pascual J, Price JN, Prober SM, Risch AC, Sankaran M, Schuetz M, Standish RJ, Virtanen R, Wardle GM, Yahdjian L, Hector A
JournalNat Ecol Evol
Volume2
Issue1
Pagination50-56
Date Published2017 Dec 04
ISSN2397-334X
Abstract

Biodiversity is declining in many local communities while also becoming increasingly homogenized across space. Experiments show that local plant species loss reduces ecosystem functioning and services, but the role of spatial homogenization of community composition and the potential interaction between diversity at different scales in maintaining ecosystem functioning remains unclear, especially when many functions are considered (ecosystem multifunctionality). We present an analysis of eight ecosystem functions measured in 65 grasslands worldwide. We find that more diverse grasslands-those with both species-rich local communities (α-diversity) and large compositional differences among localities (β-diversity)-had higher levels of multifunctionality. Moreover, α- and β-diversity synergistically affected multifunctionality, with higher levels of diversity at one scale amplifying the contribution to ecological functions at the other scale. The identity of species influencing ecosystem functioning differed among functions and across local communities, explaining why more diverse grasslands maintained greater functionality when more functions and localities were considered. These results were robust to variation in environmental drivers. Our findings reveal that plant diversity, at both local and landscape scales, contributes to the maintenance of multiple ecosystem services provided by grasslands. Preserving ecosystem functioning therefore requires conservation of biodiversity both within and among ecological communities.

DOI10.1038/s41559-017-0395-0
Alternate JournalNat Ecol Evol
PubMed ID29203922