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Understanding negative biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationship in semi-natural wildflower strips
Nadine Sandau1,2, Russell E Naisbit3,4, Yvonne Fabian3
1Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland. nadine.sandau@gmail.com.
Oecologia
|December 12, 2018
Summary
In semi-natural agricultural experiments, higher plant diversity unexpectedly decreased productivity. This negative biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationship arose from low-performing species colonizing diverse plots, hindering overall biomass accumulation.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Agricultural Science
- Biodiversity Research
Background:
- Controlled experiments often show positive biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships, contrasting with natural systems where relationships can be neutral or negative.
- This discrepancy may stem from experimental limitations (closed species pools) versus natural dynamics (colonization, extinction) in meta-communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plant community properties and above-ground biomass in a semi-natural experiment within an agricultural landscape.
- To analyze the factors driving the observed biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships in a realistic agricultural setting.
Main Methods:
- Established eleven replicates with four diversity levels using a species pool of 20 wildflower species in a semi-natural, un-weeded agricultural experiment.
- Analyzed plant community properties and above-ground biomass.
- Employed structural equation modeling to explore relationships between sown species, colonizers, and overall productivity.
Main Results:
- A significant negative relationship was found between total plant diversity and above-ground biomass (productivity).
- Colonization by subordinate species in low-diversity plots increased richness but not productivity, suggesting invasion resistance.
- Positive BEF relationships were observed for sown and colonizer species biomass separately, but the overall system relationship was negative.
Conclusions:
- In semi-natural agroecosystems, a negative BEF relationship can emerge due to interactions between dominant sown species and colonization by subordinate species from the regional pool.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering meta-community dynamics and species interactions in understanding BEF relationships in real-world agricultural systems.
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