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Experimental Protocol for Manipulating Plant-induced Soil Heterogeneity
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Empirical and theoretical challenges in aboveground-belowground ecology
Wim H van der Putten1, R D Bardgett, P C de Ruiter
1Department of Multitrophic Interactions, Centre for Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology NIOO-KNAW, Heteren, The Netherlands. w.vanderputten@nioo.knaw.nl
Oecologia
|May 5, 2009
Summary
Understanding the intricate links between aboveground and belowground ecosystems is crucial for predicting ecological changes. Theoretical approaches combined with empirical studies can generalize findings on plant succession, agro-ecosystems, and global change impacts.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Ecosystem Science
- Community Ecology
Background:
- Aboveground and belowground communities are intrinsically linked, influencing ecosystem structure and function.
- Empirical studies are limited by scale and context, necessitating theoretical approaches.
- Belowground interactions have longer-lasting legacy effects due to lower organism mobility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand how aboveground-belowground biotic interactions operate across spatial and temporal scales.
- To explore the role of theoretical approaches in complementing empirical studies.
- To generalize findings and develop testable predictions for ecological understanding.
Main Methods:
- Review of four key areas: plant succession, agro-ecosystems, biological invasions, and global change.
- Analysis of how scale differences impact biotic interactions and ecosystem processes.
- Exploration of theoretical modeling to support and generalize empirical results.
Main Results:
- Differences in scales between aboveground and belowground biota affect community change rates during succession.
- Interactions above and belowground can either accelerate or decelerate plant species replacement.
- Outcomes of interactions are contingent on abiotic conditions and plant life history traits.
Conclusions:
- A combined aboveground-belowground approach enhances ecological understanding across various settings.
- Translating conceptual models into predictive ones aids empirical study targeting and result generalization.
- Understanding ecological succession can improve management of crops, grasslands, invasive species, and global change impacts.
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