Effects of plant diversity and abiotic factors on the multifunctionality of an arid desert ecosystem.

ABSTRACT: Many studies suggest that species diversity and abiotic factors promote ecosystem multifunctionality. However, whether ecosystem multifunctionality is impacted by phylogenetic diversity remains controversial. The present study tested this in an arid desert ecosystem in Ebinur Lake Basin using soil C:N ratio, soil pH, and soil salinity as abiotic factors, and species diversity and phylogenetic diversity as indicators of plant diversity. The effects of plant diversity and abiotic factors on single ecosystem functions (nutrient cycling, carbon stocks, water regulation, and wood production) and ecosystem multifunctionality were studied. We used structural equation modeling to assess the relationships among different functional groups and factors. The results showed that: (1) abiotic factors, p

SUBMITTER: Shu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9187101 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature