Effect of Precipitation Change on Desert Steppe Aboveground Productivity

Precipitation changes have significant impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem productivity. However, the effects of precipitation changes on species diversity have been the focus of most previous studies. Little is known about the contributions of different dimensions of biodiversity (species, functional, and phylogenetic diversity) in linking long-term precipitation changes to ecosystem functions. In this study, a randomized design was conducted in the desert steppes of Ningxia, which included three treatments: natural rainfall, precipitation reduced by 50%, and precipitation increased by 50%. After 4 years of treatment, the effects of precipitation changes on aboveground productivity and its underlying mechanisms were explored. The results showed that (1) reduced precipitation significantly decreased phylogenetic diversity and species diversity, but had no significant effect on functional diversity; (2) reduced precipitation significantly decreased aboveground productivity, while increased precipitation significantly enhanced aboveground productivity; and (3) changes in precipitation primarily regulated aboveground productivity by altering soil nitrogen availability and the size of dominant plant species. This study provides important theoretical and practical guidance for the protection and management of desert steppe vegetation under future climate change.