High plant diversity is needed to maintain ecosystem services

Forest Isbell (), Vincent Calcagno, Andy Hector, John Connolly, W. Stanley Harpole, Peter B. Reich, Michael Scherer-Lorenzen, Bernhard Schmid, David Tilman, Jasper van Ruijven, Alexandra Weigelt, Brian J. Wilsey, Erika S. Zavaleta and Michel Loreau
Additional contact information
Forest Isbell: McGill University, Montreal
Vincent Calcagno: McGill University, Montreal
Andy Hector: Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich
John Connolly: UCD School of Mathematical Sciences, University College Dublin
W. Stanley Harpole: Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University
Peter B. Reich: University of Minnesota
Michael Scherer-Lorenzen: Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Geobotany
Bernhard Schmid: Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich
David Tilman: Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota
Jasper van Ruijven: Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology, Wageningen University
Alexandra Weigelt: Institute of Biology I, University of Leipzig
Brian J. Wilsey: Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University
Erika S. Zavaleta: University of California
Michel Loreau: McGill University, Montreal

Nature, 2011, vol. 477, issue 7363, 199-202

Abstract: The more diverse the merrier Biodiversity–ecosystem function experiments have shown the importance of a diverse range of species for the health of ecosystems, but the number of species needed to maintain ecosystem functioning and services remains unclear. A meta-analysis of biodiversity research now shows, surprisingly, that 84% of grassland plant species have promoted ecosystem functioning at least once. Different species were important in different years, in different places and for different functions. These results strongly suggest that most grassland plant species provide ecosystem services. Consequently, even a few extinctions could have a deleterious effect.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1038/nature10282

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