Competitive network determines the direction of the diversity-function relationship.

ABSTRACT: The structure of the competitive network is an important driver of biodiversity and coexistence in natural communities. In addition to determining which species survive, the nature and intensity of competitive interactions within the network also affect the growth, productivity, and abundances of those individuals that persist. As such, the competitive network structure may likewise play an important role in determining community-level functioning by capturing the net costs of competition. Here, using an experimental system comprising 18 wood decay basidiomycete fungi, we test this possibility by quantifying the links among competitive network structure, species diversity, and community function. We show that species diversity alone has negligible impacts on community functioning, but that

SUBMITTER: Maynard DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5664546 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature