Experimental niche evolution alters the strength of the diversity–productivity relationship

Dominique Gravel (), Thomas Bell, Claire Barbera, Thierry Bouvier, Thomas Pommier, Patrick Venail and Nicolas Mouquet ()
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Dominique Gravel: Université du Québec à Rimouski, Chimie et Géographie
Thomas Bell: University of Oxford
Claire Barbera: Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution UMR 5554, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Montpellier 2, CC 065
Thierry Bouvier: Ecosystèmes Lagunaires UMR 5119, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Montpellier 2, CC 093
Thomas Pommier: Ecosystèmes Lagunaires UMR 5119, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Montpellier 2, CC 093
Patrick Venail: Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution UMR 5554, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Montpellier 2, CC 065
Nicolas Mouquet: Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution UMR 5554, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Montpellier 2, CC 065

Nature, 2011, vol. 469, issue 7328, 89-92

Abstract: Biodiversity in the ecosystem The positive relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function is well established, but the specific shape of the relationship can vary. A study combining experimental evolution with a biodiversity–ecosystem functioning experiment helps to fill in the details. Twenty marine bacterial species were evolved so that they were adapted to few (specialists) or many (generalists) resources, and the biodiversity of communities constructed from these derived strains was manipulated. Assemblages of specialists proved more productive on average as they could exploit environmental heterogeneity, but specialists contribute more to the slope of the biodiversity–ecosystem function curve. This work provides the first experimental evidence that evolutionary history shapes the functional consequences of species extinctions, and is relevant to work on conservation strategies.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1038/nature09592

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