The importance of competition for light depends on productivity and disturbance.

ABSTRACT: Eutrophication is a major cause of biodiversity loss. In grasslands, this appears to occur due to asymmetric competition for light following the increases in aboveground biomass production. Here, we report the results of an experiment with five grass species that tests how well-competitive outcomes can be predicted under a factorial combination of fertilized and disturbed (frequent cutting) conditions. Under fertile conditions, our results confirm earlier success in predicting short-term competitive outcomes based on light interception in monocultures. This effect was maintained but weakened under less fertile conditions with competition becoming more symmetric. However, under disturbed conditions, competitive outcomes could not be predicted from differences in light interception in monocu

SUBMITTER: Hautier Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6262729 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature