Drivers of understorey biomass: tree species identity is more important than richness in a young forest |
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Authors: | Markus S. Germany Helge Bruelheide Alexandra Erfmeier |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Geography, Kiel University, Institute for Ecosystem Research/Geobotany, Kiel, Germany,;2. Department of Geobotany andBotanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Halle, Germany, ;3. German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany;Corresponding author. E-mail: mgermany@ecology.uni-kiel.de |
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Abstract: | AimsPositive biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships have been widely reported, predominately from grassland ecosystems. However, this does not necessarily have to apply accordingly in more complex situations such as in forests across different vertical strata. For instance, overstorey tree species richness has been shown to be associated with a lower understorey productivity. Whether or not tree species richness effects add to understorey productivity by increasing (i.e. due to habitat heterogeneity) or reducing resource availability (i.e. through increasing competition) and whether understorey productivity is indeed being governed more strongly by tree species identity are likely to change over time. Moreover, studies also suggested that richness–productivity relationships change with the environmental context. Using an experimental forest plantation with manipulated tree species richness, this study examined these temporal and environmental dynamics across strata. |
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Keywords: | BEF-China subtropical forests species richness and identity productivity time |
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