Pathways for cross-boundary effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning
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Michael Scherer-Lorenzen1, Mark O Gessner2, Beatrix E Beisner3
1Geobotany, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Abstract:
The biodiversity-ecosystem functioning concept asserts that processes in ecosystems are markedly influenced by species richness and other facets of biodiversity. However, biodiversity-ecosystem functioning studies have been largely restricted to single ecosystems, ignoring the importance of functional links - such as the exchange of matter, energy, and organisms - between coupled ecosystems. Here we present a basic concept and outline three pathways of cross-boundary biodiversity effects on ecosystem processes and propose an agenda to assess such effects, focusing on terrestrial-aquatic linkages to illustrate the case. This cross-boundary perspective of biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships presents a promising frontier for biodiversity and ecosystem science with repercussions for the conservation, restoration, and management of biodiversity and ecosystems from local to landscape scales.
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