New Publication from Li et al. in Nature Ecology and Evolution: Plant diversity enhances ecosystem multifunctionality via multitrophic diversity

A latest international research has shown that, in both forest and grassland ecosystems, the association between multitrophic diversity and multifunctionality was stronger than the relationship between the diversity of individual trophic groups and multifunctionality. The researchers show that plant diversity increases multifunctionality through elevated multitrophic diversity.

The results have been published on August 29, 2024 in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

Figure 1. Study sites, vegetation structure, and example arthropods of the BEF-China and Jena biodiversity experiments (Photo by: a, LI Shan; b-c, LI Yi; d, The Jena Experiment; e, Annette Jesch; f, Maximilian Bröcher)

The findings imply that, to promote ecosystem multifunctionality, conservation planning must consider the diversity of both plants and higher trophic levels. Using data from two large biodiversity experiments, one representing subtropical forests (BEF-China) and the other temperate grasslands (the Jena Experiment) the results expand previous findings on the relationship between plant diversity and different ecosystem functions, including plant diversity and multifunctionality relationships. The study also reveals that the relationship between multitrophic diversity and multifunctionality is stronger than diversity effects of any individual trophic group, including plants and that the role of multitrophic diversity is greater in forests than in grasslands.

Plant diversity enhancing multifunctionality through multitrophic diversity or the diversity of multiple trophic groups

As the study shows, ecosystems can sustain many important functions, but only when diversity is high. Thus, it is important to preserve and manage all ecosystems to the benefit of species and mankind.

Reference:

Li, Y., A. Schuldt, A. Ebeling, N. Eisenhauer, Y. Huang, et al. 2024. Plant diversity enhances ecosystem multifunctionality via multitrophic diversity. Nature Ecology & Evolution:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02517-2.