Ecosystem multifunctionality, maximum height, and biodiversity of shrub communities affected by precipitation fluctuations in Northwest China

IntroductionDryland ecosystems face serious threats from climate change. Establishing the spatial pattern of ecosystem multifunctionality, maximum height and the correlation of biodiversity patterns with climate change is important for understanding changes in complex ecosystem processes. However, t...

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Published in:Frontiers in plant science 2023-09, Vol.14, p.1259858-1259858
Main Authors: Du, Lan, Tian, Shengchuan, Sun, Jing, Zhang, Bin, Mu, Xiao-Han, Tang, Lisong, Zheng, Xinjun, Li, Yan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biodiversity
dryland
ecosystem multifunctionality
maximum height
Plant Science
shrub communities
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Summary:IntroductionDryland ecosystems face serious threats from climate change. Establishing the spatial pattern of ecosystem multifunctionality, maximum height and the correlation of biodiversity patterns with climate change is important for understanding changes in complex ecosystem processes. However, the understanding of their relationships across large spatial areas remains limited in drylands. MethodsAccordingly, this study examined the spatial patterns of ecosystem multifunctionality, maximum height and considered a set of potential environmental drivers by investigating natural shrub communities in Northwest China. ResultsWe found that the ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) and maximum height of shrub communities were both affected by longitude, which was positively correlated with the precipitation gradient. Specifically, the EMF was driven by high precipitation seasonality, and the maximum height was driven by high precipitation stability during the growing season. Among the multiple biodiversity predictors, species beta diversity (SD-beta) is the most common in determining EMF, although this relationship is weak. DiscussionUnlike tree life form, we did not observe biodiversity-maximum height relationships in shrub communities. Based on these results, we suggest that more attention should be paid to the climatical fluctuations mediated biodiversity mechanisms, which are tightly correlated with ecosystem's service capacity and resistance capacity under a rapid climate change scenario in the future.
ISSN:1664-462X
1664-462X
DOI:10.3389/fpls.2023.1259858