Plant functional traits explain long-term differences in ecosystem services between artificial forests and natural...

Area of Science:

• Ecological restoration
• Plant functional traits
• Ecosystem services

Background:

• Declining ecosystem services necessitate sustainable vegetation restoration practices.
• Functional ecology highlights plant functional traits for managing afforestation ecosystems.
• The impact of plant traits on long-term ecosystem services in restored areas remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate plant functional traits and their associated ecosystem services.
• To analyze ecosystem services in artificial forestlands and natural grasslands over time.
• To understand trait-ecosystem service relationships and trade-offs in a Loess Plateau watershed.

Main Methods:

• Studied artificial forestlands (Robinia pseudoacacia, Caragana korshinskii) and natural grasslands.
• Assessed ecosystem services (water conservation, soil conservation, carbon sequestration) over 10, 20, 30, and 40 years.
• Correlated plant functional traits (leaf traits, root traits) with ecosystem service provision and trade-offs.

Main Results:

• Water conservation in artificial forests initially decreased then increased; soil conservation showed the opposite trend. Natural grasslands consistently improved soil and carbon services.
• Artificial forests provided greater soil conservation and carbon sequestration but lower water conservation than natural grasslands.
• Leaf traits significantly impacted carbon sequestration and water conservation; root biomass density was key for soil conservation. Trait-specific trade-offs varied between forest and grassland.

Conclusions:

• Natural grasslands are optimal for water conservation in arid regions, while artificial forests are better for soil conservation in erosion-prone areas.
• Plant functional traits critically mediate ecosystem service provision and trade-offs in restored ecosystems.
• Thinning artificial forests before traits like leaf carbon content, specific root length, and root biomass density peak can mitigate ecosystem service trade-offs.