Experimental Evidence for How Biodiversity Affects Ecosystem Functioning

O’Connor, Mary I.; Bernhardt, Joey R.; Stark, Keila; Usinowicz, Jacob; Whalen, Matthew A.

doi:10.1002/9781119902911.ch5

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…For instance, hundreds of biodiversity experiments have manipulated plant species richness and measured effects on plant productivity (O'Connor et al. 2017 , 2022 ). Therefore, biodiversity models that project future changes in plant species richness and ecosystem service models that depend on plant productivity would be good candidates for integration aimed at addressing this relationship.…”

Section: Model Integration Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Conceptual Framework to Integrate Biodiversity, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Service Models

et al. 2022

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Global biodiversity and ecosystem service models typically operate independently. Ecosystem service projections may therefore be overly optimistic because they do not always account for the role of biodiversity in maintaining ecological functions. We review models used in recent global model intercomparison projects and develop a novel model integration framework to more fully account for the role of biodiversity in ecosystem function, a key gap for linking biodiversity changes to ecosystem services. We propose two integration pathways. The first uses empirical data on biodiversity–ecosystem function relationships to bridge biodiversity and ecosystem function models and could currently be implemented globally for systems and taxa with sufficient data. We also propose a trait-based approach involving greater incorporation of biodiversity into ecosystem function models. Pursuing both approaches will provide greater insight into biodiversity and ecosystem services projections. Integrating biodiversity, ecosystem function, and ecosystem service modeling will enhance policy development to meet global sustainability goals.

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Section: Model Integration Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Conceptual Framework to Integrate Biodiversity, Ecosystem Function, and Ecosystem Service Models

et al. 2022

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“…One approach that can be applied at the global scale is to connect biodiversity to ecosystem function and ecosystem service models using empirical, observational, or experimental biodiversity-ecosystem function data. Because of the extensive experimental data on the increase in biomass associated with increasing plant species richness 9,26 , assessing how loss of plant diversity will affect carbon storage offers a feasible and useful case study to demonstrate the utility of this modeling approach. Moreover, assessments of plant species diversity and carbon storage are relevant for monitoring biodiversity and climate change mitigation goals.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity loss reduces global terrestrial carbon storage

Weiskopf,

Isbell,

Arce-Plata

et al. 2024

Nat Commun

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Natural ecosystems store large amounts of carbon globally, as organisms absorb carbon from the atmosphere to build large, long-lasting, or slow-decaying structures such as tree bark or root systems. An ecosystem’s carbon sequestration potential is tightly linked to its biological diversity. Yet when considering future projections, many carbon sequestration models fail to account for the role biodiversity plays in carbon storage. Here, we assess the consequences of plant biodiversity loss for carbon storage under multiple climate and land-use change scenarios. We link a macroecological model projecting changes in vascular plant richness under different scenarios with empirical data on relationships between biodiversity and biomass. We find that biodiversity declines from climate and land use change could lead to a global loss of between 7.44-103.14 PgC (global sustainability scenario) and 10.87-145.95 PgC (fossil-fueled development scenario). This indicates a self-reinforcing feedback loop, where higher levels of climate change lead to greater biodiversity loss, which in turn leads to greater carbon emissions and ultimately more climate change. Conversely, biodiversity conservation and restoration can help achieve climate change mitigation goals.

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