The links between ecosystem multifunctionality and above- and belowground biodiversity are mediated by climate

Xin Jing, Nathan J. Sanders, Yu Shi, Haiyan Chu, Aimée T. Classen, Ke Zhao, Litong Chen, Yue Shi, Youxu Jiang and Jin-Sheng He ()
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Xin Jing: College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University
Nathan J. Sanders: Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen
Yu Shi: State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Haiyan Chu: State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Aimée T. Classen: Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen
Ke Zhao: College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University
Litong Chen: Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yue Shi: College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University
Youxu Jiang: Institute of Forest Ecology, Chinese Academy of Forestry
Jin-Sheng He: College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Plant biodiversity is often correlated with ecosystem functioning in terrestrial ecosystems. However, we know little about the relative and combined effects of above- and belowground biodiversity on multiple ecosystem functions (for example, ecosystem multifunctionality, EMF) or how climate might mediate those relationships. Here we tease apart the effects of biotic and abiotic factors, both above- and belowground, on EMF on the Tibetan Plateau, China. We found that a suite of biotic and abiotic variables account for up to 86% of the variation in EMF, with the combined effects of above- and belowground biodiversity accounting for 45% of the variation in EMF. Our results have two important implications: first, including belowground biodiversity in models can improve the ability to explain and predict EMF. Second, regional-scale variation in climate, and perhaps climate change, can determine, or at least modify, the effects of biodiversity on EMF in natural ecosystems.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9159

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