Does β diversity predict ecosystem productivity better than species diversity?. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Omidipour, Reza; Tahmasebi, Pejman; Faal Faizabadi, Mohsen; Faramarzi, Marzban; Ebrahimi, Ataollah
• Is Part Of: Ecological indicators. Volume 122(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Biodiversity -- β diversity -- Productivity gradient -- Rangeland management -- Niche complementarity -- Selection effects -- Turnover -- Nestedness; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.71405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107212
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-160X

Abstract

Highlights: Above-ground biomass is significantly predicted by species richness. Above-ground biomass is related to the turnover and nestedness of rangelands. Niche complementarity may play a critical role in providing and provisioning ecosystems functions. β diversity effectively predict ecosystems function and provide support for BEF theories. Abstract: There is consensus that greater biodiversity is essential to maintain the ecosystem function and stability. Variation in spatial plant community heterogeneity (β diversity) affects productivity and ecosystems function; however, relatively few studies have addressed how β diversity and its components (i.e. species turnover and nestedness) may relate to ecosystems function. In this study, we assessed plant community diversity (richness and evenness) and spatial heterogeneity along a productivity gradient in different bioclimatic regions including desert-steppe, steppe, semi-steppe and Mediterranean rangelands in south west of Iran, and tested (1): how and to what extent the different components of plant diversity affect aboveground biomass (AGB; as ecosystem productivity) and (2): the mechanisms underlying the relationship between β diversity and ecosystem productivity; i.e. niche complementary and selection effects. Sampling was executed in each bioclimatic region by choosing eight sites and estimating AGB of plant species in 2 × 2 m plots nested within 3 macro plots of 30 × 30 m. The results showed that AGB was significantly predicted by species richness; positively in desert-steppe, steppe and semi-steppe rangelands and negatively in Mediterranean rangeland. Furthermore, AGB was negatively predicted by evenness in desert-steppe and semi-steppe rangelands. There were significantly negative relationships between β diversity and AGB in desert-steppe, steppe and semi-steppe rangelands, while, the significantly positive relationship was found for Mediterranean rangeland. The AGB was significantly and positively related to the turnover and nestedness components of β diversity in Mediterranean rangeland. However, a negative relationship was found with turnover in desert-steppe and semi-steppe rangelands. Our results indicate that niche complementarity may play a critical role in providing and provision ecosystems productivity in steppe and Mediterranean rangelands, while, both selection effects and niche complementarity hypotheses could be verified in low-productive regions (desert-steppe and semi-steppe rangelands). Comparing the strength of species diversity with β diversity in predicting ecosystems productivity across different bioclimatic regions, our results revealed that β diversity predict ecosystems productivity more effectively and provide support for biodiversity-ecosystems function theories.