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Number of simultaneously acting global change factors affects composition, diversity and productivity of grassland plant communities

Author

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  • Benedikt Speißer

    (University of Konstanz)

  • Rutger A. Wilschut

    (University of Konstanz
    Wageningen University and Research)

  • Mark Kleunen

    (University of Konstanz
    Taizhou University)

Abstract

Plant communities experience impacts of increasing numbers of global change factors (e.g., warming, eutrophication, pollution). Consequently, unpredictable global change effects could arise. However, information about multi-factor effects on plant communities is scarce. To test plant-community responses to multiple global change factors (GCFs), we subjected sown and transplanted-seedling communities to increasing numbers (0, 1, 2, 4, 6) of co-acting GCFs, and assessed effects of individual factors and increasing numbers of GCFs on community composition and productivity. GCF number reduced species diversity and evenness of both community types, whereas none of the individual factors alone affected these measures. In contrast, GCF number positively affected the productivity of the transplanted-seedling community. Our findings show that simultaneously acting GCFs can affect plant communities in ways differing from those expected from single factor effects, which may be due to biological effects, sampling effects, or both. Consequently, exploring the multifactorial nature of global change is crucial to better understand ecological impacts of global change.

Suggested Citation

  • Benedikt Speißer & Rutger A. Wilschut & Mark Kleunen, 2022. "Number of simultaneously acting global change factors affects composition, diversity and productivity of grassland plant communities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-35473-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35473-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Cai Cheng & Zekang Liu & Wei Song & Xue Chen & Zhijie Zhang & Bo Li & Mark Kleunen & Jihua Wu, 2024. "Biodiversity increases resistance of grasslands against plant invasions under multiple environmental changes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Mohan Bi & Huiying Li & Peter Meidl & Yanjie Zhu & Masahiro Ryo & Matthias C. Rillig, 2024. "Number and dissimilarity of global change factors influences soil properties and functions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.

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