Plant Species Richness and Ecosystem Multifunctionality in Global Drylands

Abstract

Global Ecosystem Analysis The relationship between species richness and the functional properties of their ecosystems has often been studied at small scales in experimental plots. Maestre et al. (p. 214 ; see the Perspective by Midgley ) performed field measurements at 224 dryland sites from six continents and assessed 14 ecosystem functions related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling. Positive relationships were observed between perennial plant species richness and ecosystem functionality. The relative importance of biodiversity was found to be as large as, or larger than, many key abiotic variables. Thus, preservation of plant biodiversity is important to buffer negative effects of climate change and desertification in drylands, which collectively cover 41% of Earth's land surface and support over 38% of the human population.

Keywords

Species richnessBiodiversityEcosystemEcologyDesertificationAbiotic componentGlobal biodiversityClimate changeProductivityBiologyEnvironmental science

MeSH Terms

BiodiversityClimateClimate ChangeConservation of Natural ResourcesEcosystemGeographyGeological PhenomenaModelsStatisticalPlantsRegression AnalysisTemperature

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Publication Info

Year: 2012
Type: article
Volume: 335
Issue: 6065
Pages: 214-218
Citations: 1496
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                
                                    Fernando T. Maestre, 
                                
                                    José L. Quero, 
                                
                                    Nicholas J. Gotelli
                                
                                et al.
                            
                            (2012). 
                            Plant Species Richness and Ecosystem Multifunctionality in Global Drylands. 
                            Science
                            , 335
                            (6065)
                            , 214-218.
                            https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1215442
                        

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1126/science.1215442
PMID: 22246775
PMCID: PMC3558739

Data Quality

Data completeness: 86%