Plant phylodiversity enhances soil microbial productivity in facilitation-driven communities

• Published in: Oecologia 2014-03, Vol.174 (3), p.909-920
• Main Authors: Navarro-Cano, José Antonio, Goberna, Marta, Valiente-Banuet, Alfonso, Montesinos-Navarro, Alicia, García, Carlos, Verdú, Miguel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biodiversity; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Calcium Sulfate; Cell Respiration; Ecological function; Ecology; Ecosystem; Ecosystems; Fabaceae - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Gypsum; Hydrology/Water Resources; Life Sciences; microbial biomass; nurse plants; Ononis; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; Plant diversity; Plant Sciences; Plant species; PLANT-MICROBE-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS; Plant-microbe-animal interactions - Original research; Plants; Productivity; Soil; Soil biochemistry; Soil ecology; Soil Microbiology; Soil microorganisms; Soil productivity; Soil resources; Species diversity; Tridentata; Water
• ISSN: 0029-8549; 1432-1939
• DOI: 10.1007/s00442-013-2822-5

The classical relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning can be better understood when the phylogenetic component of biodiversity is considered. We linked plant phylodiversity and ecosystem functioning in a water-limited gypsum ecosystem driven by plant facilitation. We tested whether (1) plant facilitation relaxes the abiotic filter imposed by gypsum, allowing the establishment of non-gypsophyte plant species, and consequently increasing plant phylodiversity, and (2) plant phylodiversity influences soil microbial productivity. Our data revealed that the gypsophyte Ononis tridentata spatially determines a macrophytic mosaic, ameliorates the microenvironment, and maximizes plant richness and phylodiversity through facilitating non-gypsophyte species. Beyond the direct effect of the nurse plant on soil microbial biomass, activity, and respiration, the analyses suggest a direct effect of plant phylodiversity (MPD) on these general indicators of soil microbial productivity. Plant diversity (Shannon index) neither correlated with the mentioned parameters nor with specific indicators of C, N and P cycling. This is the first report of a relationship between producer phylodiversity and decomposer productivity, which supports phylogenetic diversity as a relevant player of the ecosystem functioning.