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High plant diversity is needed to maintain ecosystem services

Author

Listed:
  • Forest Isbell

    (McGill University, Montreal)

  • Vincent Calcagno

    (McGill University, Montreal)

  • Andy Hector

    (Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich)

  • John Connolly

    (UCD School of Mathematical Sciences, University College Dublin)

  • W. Stanley Harpole

    (Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University)

  • Peter B. Reich

    (University of Minnesota
    Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney)

  • Michael Scherer-Lorenzen

    (Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Geobotany)

  • Bernhard Schmid

    (Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich)

  • David Tilman

    (Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota)

  • Jasper van Ruijven

    (Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology, Wageningen University)

  • Alexandra Weigelt

    (Institute of Biology I, University of Leipzig)

  • Brian J. Wilsey

    (Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University)

  • Erika S. Zavaleta

    (University of California)

  • Michel Loreau

    (McGill University, Montreal)

Abstract

The more diverse the merrier Biodiversity–ecosystem function experiments have shown the importance of a diverse range of species for the health of ecosystems, but the number of species needed to maintain ecosystem functioning and services remains unclear. A meta-analysis of biodiversity research now shows, surprisingly, that 84% of grassland plant species have promoted ecosystem functioning at least once. Different species were important in different years, in different places and for different functions. These results strongly suggest that most grassland plant species provide ecosystem services. Consequently, even a few extinctions could have a deleterious effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Forest Isbell & Vincent Calcagno & Andy Hector & John Connolly & W. Stanley Harpole & Peter B. Reich & Michael Scherer-Lorenzen & Bernhard Schmid & David Tilman & Jasper van Ruijven & Alexandra Weigel, 2011. "High plant diversity is needed to maintain ecosystem services," Nature, Nature, vol. 477(7363), pages 199-202, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:477:y:2011:i:7363:d:10.1038_nature10282
    DOI: 10.1038/nature10282
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