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Functional Diversity Can Predict Ecosystem Functions Better Than Dominant Species: The Case of Desert Plants in the Ebinur Lake Basin

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  • Zhufeng Hou

    (College of Resources and Environmental Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
    Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Ministry of Education, Urumqi 830046, China)

  • Guanghui Lv

    (College of Resources and Environmental Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
    Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Ministry of Education, Urumqi 830046, China)

  • Lamei Jiang

    (College of Resources and Environmental Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
    Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Ministry of Education, Urumqi 830046, China)

Abstract

Studying the impact of biodiversity on ecosystem multifunctionality is helpful for clarifying the ecological mechanisms (such as niche complementary effects and selection) of ecosystems providing multiple services. Biodiversity has a significant impact on ecosystem versatility, but the relative importance of functional diversity and dominant species to ecosystem functions needs further evaluation. We studied the desert plant community in Ebinur Lake Basin. Based on field survey data and experimental analysis, the relationship between the richness and functional diversity of dominant species and the single function of ecosystem was analyzed. The relative importance of niche complementary effect and selective effect in explaining the function of plant diversity in arid areas is discussed. There was no significant correlation between desert ecosystem functions (soil available phosphorus, organic matter, nitrate nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen) and the richness of the dominant species Nitraria tangutorum ( p < 0.05). Soil organic matter and available phosphorus had significant effects on specific leaf area and plant height ( p < 0.05). Functional dispersion (FDis) had a significant effect on soil available phosphorus, while dominant species dominant species richness (SR) had no obvious effect on single ecosystem function. A structural equation model showed that dominant species had no direct effect on plant functional diversity and ecosystem function, but functional diversity had a strong direct effect on ecosystem function, and its direct coefficients of action were 0.226 and 0.422. The results can help to explain the response mechanism of multifunctionality to biodiversity in arid areas, which may provide referential significance for vegetation protection and restoration for other similar areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhufeng Hou & Guanghui Lv & Lamei Jiang, 2021. "Functional Diversity Can Predict Ecosystem Functions Better Than Dominant Species: The Case of Desert Plants in the Ebinur Lake Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2858-:d:511864
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    1. Zexuan Zang & Yong Zeng & Dandan Wang & Fengzhi Shi & Yiyang Dong & Na Liu & Yuejia Liang, 2022. "Species-Abundance Distribution Patterns of Plant Communities in the Gurbantünggüt Desert, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-27, October.
    2. Zhilu Sheng & Jiaqiang Du & Bingqing Sun & Jialin Mao & Yangchengsi Zhang & Jing Zhang & Zhaoyan Diao, 2022. "The Role of Plant Functional Diversity in Regulating Soil Organic Carbon Stocks under Different Grazing Intensities in Temperate Grassland, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-13, April.

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