Godlee, JL, Ryan, CM, Bauman, D et al. (22 more authors) (2021) Structural diversity and tree density drives variation in the biodiversity-ecosystem function relationship of woodlands and savannas. The New phytologist. ISSN 0028-646X
Abstract
Positive biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships (BEFRs) have been widely documented, but it is unclear if BEFRs should be expected in disturbance-driven systems. Disturbance may limit competition and niche differentiation, which are frequently posited to underlie BEFRs. We provide the first exploration of the relationship between tree species diversity and biomass, one measure of ecosystem function, across southern African woodlands and savannas, an ecological system rife with disturbance from fire, herbivores and humans.
We used >1000 vegetation plots distributed across 10 southern African countries, and structural equation modelling, to determine the relationship between tree species diversity and aboveground woody biomass, accounting for interacting effects of resource availability, disturbance by fire, tree stem density and vegetation type.
We found positive effects of tree species diversity on aboveground biomass, operating via increased structural diversity. The observed BEFR was highly dependent on organismal density, with a minimum threshold of c. 180 mature stems ha-1. We found that water availability mainly affects biomass indirectly, via increasing species diversity.
The study underlines the close association between tree diversity, ecosystem structure, environment and function in highly disturbed savannas and woodlands. We suggest that tree diversity is an under-appreciated determinant of wooded ecosystem structure and function.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Keywords: | biodiversity; biomass; ecosystem function; forest structure; miombo; savanna; structural equation modelling; woodland |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Biological Sciences (Leeds) > School of Biology (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 03 Aug 2021 10:52 |
Last Modified: | 03 Aug 2021 10:52 |
Status: | Published online |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/nph.17639 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:176729 |