Exotic species enhance response diversity to land-use change but modify functional composition.

ABSTRACT: Two main mechanisms may buffer ecosystem functions despite biodiversity loss. First, multiple species could share similar ecological roles, thus providing functional redundancy. Second, species may respond differently to environmental change (response diversity). However, ecosystem function would be best protected when functionally redundant species also show response diversity. This linkage has not been studied directly, so we investigated whether native and exotic pollinator species with similar traits (functional redundancy) differed in abundance (response diversity) across an agricultural intensification gradient. Exotic pollinator species contributed most positive responses, which partially stabilized overall abundance of the pollinator community. However, although some functionally r

SUBMITTER: Stavert JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5563801 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature