Using a multi-trait approach to manipulate plant functional diversity in a biodiversity-ecosystem function experiment.

ABSTRACT: A frequent pattern emerging from biodiversity-ecosystem function studies is that functional group richness enhances ecosystem functions such as primary productivity. However, the manipulation of functional group richness goes along with major disadvantages like the transformation of functional trait data into categories or the exclusion of functional differences between organisms in the same group. In a mesocosm study we manipulated plant functional diversity based on the multi-trait Functional Diversity (FD)-approach of Petchey and Gaston by using database data of seven functional traits and information on the origin of the species in terms of being native or exotic. Along a gradient ranging from low to high FD we planted 40 randomly selected eight-species mixtures under controlled condit

SUBMITTER: Schittko C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4045913 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature