Using a Multi-Trait Approach to Manipulate Plant Functional Diversity in a Biodiversity-Ecosystem Function Experiment
Using a Multi-Trait Approach to Manipulate Plant Functional Diversity in a Biodiversity-Ecosystem Function Experiment
复制标题
在生物多样性-生态系统功能实验中使用多性状方法操纵植物功能多样性
作者：
Conrad Schittko;M. Hawa;Susanne Wurst
生物多样性-生态系统功能研究中出现的一个常见模式是功能群丰富度增强生态系统功能，如初级生产力。然而，对功能群丰富度的操纵也伴随着一些主要的缺点，如将功能性状数据转换为类别或排除同一群体中生物之间的功能差异。在中生态系统研究中，我们基于Petchey和Gaston的多性状功能多样性（FD）方法，利用7个功能性状的数据库数据和物种起源的本地或外来信息来操纵植物的功能多样性。在控制条件下，我们随机选择了40种8种混合物，沿着从低到高的FD梯度种植。FD与地上生产力呈显著的正线性相关，与植物群落的入侵率呈显著的负相关。通过对各功能性状的群落加权平均值计算，我们发现固氮性状和物种来源（本地或外来）对群落生产力的影响最为重要。我们的研究结果表明，识别功能性状多样性的影响和相关性状的相对贡献对于理解生物多样性对生态系统功能（如地上生物量生产和抵抗入侵）的机制作用至关重要。
A frequent pattern emerging from biodiversity-ecosystem function studies is that functional group richness enhances ecosystem functions such as primary productivity. However, the manipulation of functional group richness goes along with major disadvantages like the transformation of functional trait data into categories or the exclusion of functional differences between organisms in the same group. In a mesocosm study we manipulated plant functional diversity based on the multi-trait Functional Diversity (FD)-approach of Petchey and Gaston by using database data of seven functional traits and information on the origin of the species in terms of being native or exotic. Along a gradient ranging from low to high FD we planted 40 randomly selected eight-species mixtures under controlled conditions. We found a significant positive linear correlation of FD with aboveground productivity and a negative correlation with invasibility of the plant communities. Based on community-weighted mean calculations for each functional trait, we figured out that the traits N-fixation and species origin, i.e. being native or exotic, played the most important role for community productivity. Our results suggest that the identification of the impact of functional trait diversity and the relative contributions of relevant traits is essential for a mechanistic understanding of the role of biodiversity for ecosystem functions such as aboveground biomass production and resistance against invasion.