Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in naturally assembled communities

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 94(4), P. 1220 - 1245

Published: Feb. 6, 2019

ABSTRACT Approximately 25 years ago, ecologists became increasingly interested in the question of whether ongoing biodiversity loss matters for functioning ecosystems. As such, a new ecological subfield on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning (BEF) was born. This initially dominated by theoretical studies experiments which manipulated, responses ecosystem functions such as biomass production, decomposition rates, carbon sequestration, trophic interactions pollination were assessed. More recently, an increasing number have investigated BEF relationships non‐manipulated ecosystems, but reviews synthesizing our knowledge importance real‐world are still largely missing. I performed systematic review order to assess how drives both terrestrial aquatic, naturally assembled communities, important is compared other factors, including aspects community composition abiotic conditions. The outcomes 258 published studies, reported 726 relationships, revealed that many cases, promotes average production its temporal stability, success. For rates multifunctionality, positive effects outnumbered negative effects, neutral even more common. Similarly, prey pathogen herbivore damage less common than relationships. Finally, there no evidence related soil storage. Most focused taxonomic diversity, however, metrics functional diversity generally stronger predictors functioning. Furthermore, most factors (e.g. presence certain group) drivers per se . While suggest become at larger spatial scales, communities this idea too poorly studied draw general conclusions. In summary, high positively various functions. At same time, strength direction these vary highly among can be driving Thus, promote those underpin human well‐being, conservation should not only , also conditions favouring species with suitable trait combinations.

Language: Английский

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Drivers and mechanisms of tree mortality in moist tropical forests

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 219(3), P. 851 - 869

Published: Feb. 16, 2018

Tree mortality rates appear to be increasing in moist tropical forests (MTFs) with significant carbon cycle consequences. Here, we review the state of knowledge regarding MTF tree mortality, create a conceptual framework testable hypotheses drivers, mechanisms and interactions that may underlie rates, identify next steps for improved understanding reduced prediction. Increasing are associated rising temperature vapor pressure deficit, liana abundance, drought, wind events, fire and, possibly, CO2 fertilization-induced increases stand thinning or acceleration trees reaching larger, more vulnerable heights. The majority these drivers kill part through starvation hydraulic failure. relative importance each driver is unknown. High species diversity buffer MTFs against large-scale but recent expected trends give reason concern within MTFs. Models advancing representation hydraulics, demography, require empirical most common their subsequent mechanisms. We outline critical datasets model developments required test underlying causes improve prediction future under climate change. Contents Summary 852 I. Introduction II. Amazon Basin 854 III. Global regional 855 IV. On coupling 859 V. Mitigating factors promote survival VI. ESM simulations VII. Next 860 VIII. Conclusions 863 Acknowledgements ORCID References

Language: Английский

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Global restoration opportunities in tropical rainforest landscapes

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 5(7)

Published: July 3, 2019

Assessment of socioenvironmental benefits and feasibility identifies priority areas for restoring global tropical rainforests.

Language: Английский

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Scaling‐up biodiversity‐ecosystem functioning research

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 23(4), P. 757 - 776

Published: Jan. 29, 2020

Abstract A rich body of knowledge links biodiversity to ecosystem functioning (BEF), but it is primarily focused on small scales. We review the current theory and identify six expectations for scale dependence in BEF relationship: (1) a nonlinear change slope relationship with spatial scale; (2) scale‐dependent between stability extent; (3) coexistence within among sites will result positive at larger scales; (4) temporal autocorrelation environmental variability affects species turnover thus (5) connectivity metacommunities generates relationships by affecting population synchrony local regional (6) scaling food web structure diversity generate functioning. suggest directions synthesis that combine approaches metaecosystem metacommunity ecology integrate cross‐scale feedbacks. Tests this may remote sensing generation networked experiments assess effects multiple also show how anthropogenic land cover alter relationship. New research role guide policy linking goals managing ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Topography shapes the structure, composition and function of tropical forest landscapes

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 21(7), P. 989 - 1000

Published: April 16, 2018

Abstract Topography is a key driver of tropical forest structure and composition, as it constrains local nutrient hydraulic conditions within which trees grow. Yet, we do not fully understand how changes in physiognomy driven by topography impact other emergent properties forests, such their aboveground carbon density ( ACD ). Working Borneo – at site where 70‐m‐tall forests alluvial valleys rapidly transition to stunted heath on nutrient‐depleted dip slopes combined field data with airborne laser scanning hyperspectral imaging characterise shapes the vertical structure, wood density, diversity nearly 15 km 2 old‐growth forest. We found that subtle differences elevation control soil chemistry hydrology profoundly influenced composition canopy. Capturing these processes was critical explaining landscape‐scale heterogeneity , highlighting emerging remote sensing technologies can provide new insights into long‐standing ecological questions.

Language: Английский

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Tree species richness increases ecosystem carbon storage in subtropical forests

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 285(1885), P. 20181240 - 20181240

Published: Aug. 22, 2018

Forest ecosystems are an integral component of the global carbon cycle as they take up and release large amounts C over short time periods (C flux) or accumulate it longer stock). However, there remains uncertainty about whether in which direction fluxes particular stocks may differ between forests high versus low species richness. Based on a comprehensive dataset derived from field-based measurements, we tested effect richness (3-20 tree species) stand age (22-116 years) six compartments above- below-ground four components subtropical southeast China. Across forest stands, total stock was 149 ± 12 Mg ha

Language: Английский

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Ten facts about land systems for sustainability

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 119(7)

Published: Feb. 7, 2022

Land use is central to addressing sustainability issues, including biodiversity conservation, climate change, food security, poverty alleviation, and sustainable energy. In this paper, we synthesize knowledge accumulated in land system science, the integrated study of terrestrial social-ecological systems, into 10 hard truths that have strong, general, empirical support. These facts help explain challenges achieving thus also point toward solutions. The are as follows: 1) Meanings values socially constructed contested; 2) systems exhibit complex behaviors with abrupt, hard-to-predict changes; 3) irreversible changes path dependence common features systems; 4) some uses a small footprint but very large impacts; 5) drivers impacts land-use change globally interconnected spill over distant locations; 6) humanity lives on used planet where all provides benefits societies; 7) usually entails trade-offs between different benefits—"win–wins" rare; 8) tenure claims often unclear, overlapping, 9) burdens from unequally distributed; 10) users multiple, sometimes conflicting, ideas what social environmental justice entails. implications for governance, do not provide fixed answers. Instead they constitute set core principles which can guide scientists, policy makers, practitioners meeting use.

Language: Английский

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Mapping co-benefits for carbon storage and biodiversity to inform conservation policy and action

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 375(1794), P. 20190128 - 20190128

Published: Jan. 27, 2020

Integrated high-resolution maps of carbon stocks and biodiversity that identify areas potential co-benefits for climate change mitigation conservation can help facilitate the implementation global commitments at local levels. However, multi-dimensional nature presents a major challenge understanding, mapping communicating where how benefits coincide with benefits. A new integrated approach to is therefore needed. Here, we (a) present map above- below-ground stored in biomass soil, (b) quantify values using two complementary indices (BIp BIr) representing proactive reactive approaches conservation, (c) examine patterns carbon–biodiversity overlap by identifying 'hotspots' (20% highest both aspects). Our integrate diversity ecosystem intactness, as well regional intactness across broader area supporting similar natural assemblage species location interest. The western Amazon Basin, Central Africa Southeast Asia capture last strongholds worldwide, while refuges unique biological communities whose habitats have been greatly reduced are mostly found tropical Andes central Sundaland. There 38 5% hotspots, respectively. Alarmingly, only around 12 21% these hotspot areas, respectively, formally protected. This highlights coupled urgently needed achieve targets. would involve (1) restoring conserving unprotected, degraded ecosystems, particularly Neotropics Indomalaya, (2) retaining remaining intactness. article part theme issue ‘Climate ecosystems: threats, opportunities solutions’.

Language: Английский

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Area-based vs tree-centric approaches to mapping forest carbon in Southeast Asian forests from airborne laser scanning data

Remote Sensing of Environment, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 194, P. 77 - 88

Published: March 28, 2017

Tropical forests are a key component of the global carbon cycle, and mapping their density is essential for understanding human influences on climate ecosystem-service-based payments forest protection. Discrete-return airborne laser scanning (ALS) increasingly recognised as high-quality technology tropical carbon, because it generates 3D point clouds structure from which aboveground (ACD) can be estimated. Area-based models state art when comes to estimating ACD ALS data, but discard tree-level information contained within cloud. This paper compares area-based tree-centric in lowland old-growth Sabah, Malaysia. These challenging map immense height. We compare performance (a) an model developed by Asner Mascaro (2014), used primarily neotropics hitherto, with (b) approach that uses new algorithm (itcSegment) locate trees canopy height model, measures heights crown widths, calculates biomass these dimensions. find Mascaro's needed regional calibration, reflecting distinctive Southeast Asian forests. also discover basal area closely related gap fraction measured ALS, use this finding refine model. Finally, we show our less accurate at than best-performing (RMSE 18% vs 13%). Tree-centric modelling appealing based summing individual trees, until algorithms detect understory reliably estimate dimensions precisely, areas-based will remain method choice.

Language: Английский

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Effects of stand age, richness and density on productivity in subtropical forests in China

Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 107(5), P. 2266 - 2277

Published: April 21, 2019

Abstract Forest productivity may be determined not only by biodiversity but also environmental factors and stand structure attributes. However, the relative importance of these in determining is still controversial for subtropical forests. Based on a large dataset from 600 permanent forest inventory plots across China, we examined relationship between tested whether structural attributes (stand density terms trees per ha, age tree size) (climate site conditions) had larger effects productivity. Furthermore, quantified factors, diversity Diversity, together with conditions, regulated variability The did vary along gradients. Stand were more important modulators than diversity. Synthesis . Diversity significant positive species‐rich forests, important. Our work highlights that while conservation often important, regulation can even to maintain high

Language: Английский

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