Ecosystem recovery after climatic extremes enhanced by genotypic diversity

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Climate Change Biology
• Marine Biology

Background:

• Climate change increases temperature and extreme weather events, impacting ecosystems.
• Species diversity is known to influence ecosystem functioning and resilience.
• Coastal ecosystems face significant threats from climatic extremes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of genotypic diversity in a species-poor coastal ecosystem.
• To determine if genotypic diversity can enhance ecosystem resilience to extreme climatic events.
• To understand the mechanisms by which genetic diversity impacts ecosystem functioning.

Main Methods:

• A manipulative field experiment was conducted using the seagrass Zostera marina.
• Genotypic diversity of Zostera marina was manipulated.
• Ecosystem responses including biomass, plant density, and faunal abundance were measured under extreme warming conditions.

Main Results:

• Increased genotypic diversity of Zostera marina enhanced biomass production, plant density, and faunal abundance.
• These positive effects occurred despite near-lethal water temperatures during extreme warming.
• Biodiversity effects were attributed to genotypic complementarity, not selection of robust genotypes.

Conclusions:

• Genotypic diversity can substitute for species diversity in enhancing ecosystem resilience, particularly in species-poor environments.
• Genetic diversity has cascading positive effects on invertebrate fauna, reaching higher trophic levels.
• Maintaining both genetic and species diversity is crucial for ecosystem resilience in the face of increasing global uncertainty.