Biodiversity as a multidimensional construct: a review, framework and case study of herbivory's impact on plant biodiversity.

ABSTRACT: Biodiversity is inherently multidimensional, encompassing taxonomic, functional, phylogenetic, genetic, landscape and many other elements of variability of life on the Earth. However, this fundamental principle of multidimensionality is rarely applied in research aimed at understanding biodiversity's value to ecosystem functions and the services they provide. This oversight means that our current understanding of the ecological and environmental consequences of biodiversity loss is limited primarily to what unidimensional studies have revealed. To address this issue, we review the literature, develop a conceptual framework for multidimensional biodiversity research based on this review and provide a case study to explore the framework. Our case study specifically examines how herbivory by

SUBMITTER: Naeem S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5204135 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature