Diversity-dependent temporal divergence of ecosystem functioning in experimental ecosystems

ISSN
2397-334X
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Reich, Peter B.
Ewel, John J.
Isbell, Forest
Koricheva, Julia
Parrotta, John A.
Auge, Harald
Erickson, Heather E.
Forrester, David I.
Hector, Andy
Joshi, Jasmin
Montagnini, Florencia
Palmborg, Cecilia
Piotto, Daniel
Potvin, Catherine
Roscher, Christiane
van Ruijven, Jasper
Tilman, David
Wilsey, Brian
DOI
10.1038/s41559-017-0325-1
Abstract
The effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning generally increase over time, but the underlying processes remain unclear. Using 26 long-term grassland and forest experimental ecosystems, we demonstrate that biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships strengthen mainly by greater increases in functioning in high-diversity communities in grasslands and forests. In grasslands, biodiversity effects also strengthen due to decreases in functioning in low-diversity communities. Contrasting trends across grasslands are associated with differences in soil characteristics.