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Functional Redundancy Instead of Species Redundancy Determines Community Stability in a Typical Steppe of Inner Mongolia

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  • Saruul Kang
  • Wenjing Ma
  • Frank Yonghong Li
  • Qing Zhang
  • Jianming Niu
  • Yong Ding
  • Fang Han
  • Xiaoli Sun

Abstract

Background: The redundancy hypothesis predicts that the species redundancy in a plant community enhances community stability. However, numerous studies in recent years questioned the positive correlation between redundancy and stability. Methodology: We explored the relationship between the species redundancy, functional redundancy and community stability in typical steppe grassland in Northern China by sampling grassland vegetation along a gradient of resource availability caused by micro-topography. We aimed to test whether community redundancy enhanced community stability, and to quantify the relative importance of species redundancy and functional redundancy in maintaining community stability. Results: Our results showed that the spatial stability of plant community production increases with increased supply of soil resources, and the functional redundancy instead of species diversity or species redundancy is correlated with the community stability. Our results supported the redundancy hypothesis and have implications for sustainable grassland management.

Suggested Citation

  • Saruul Kang & Wenjing Ma & Frank Yonghong Li & Qing Zhang & Jianming Niu & Yong Ding & Fang Han & Xiaoli Sun, 2015. "Functional Redundancy Instead of Species Redundancy Determines Community Stability in a Typical Steppe of Inner Mongolia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(12), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0145605
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145605
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    1. Yongfei Bai & Xingguo Han & Jianguo Wu & Zuozhong Chen & Linghao Li, 2004. "Ecosystem stability and compensatory effects in the Inner Mongolia grassland," Nature, Nature, vol. 431(7005), pages 181-184, September.
    2. David Tilman & Peter B. Reich & Johannes M. H. Knops, 2006. "Biodiversity and ecosystem stability in a decade-long grassland experiment," Nature, Nature, vol. 441(7093), pages 629-632, June.
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    2. Jake M. Robinson & Jacob G. Mills & Martin F. Breed, 2018. "Walking Ecosystems in Microbiome-Inspired Green Infrastructure: An Ecological Perspective on Enhancing Personal and Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-15, November.

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