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Intermediate Coupling between Aboveground and Belowground Biomass Maximises the Persistence of Grasslands

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  • Simon Scheiter
  • Steven I Higgins

Abstract

: Aboveground and belowground biomass compartments of vegetation fulfil different functions and they are coupled by complex interactions. These compartments exchange water, carbon and nutrients and the belowground biomass compartment has the capacity to buffer vegetation dynamics when aboveground biomass is removed by disturbances such as herbivory or fire. However, despite their importance, root-shoot interactions are often ignored in more heuristic vegetation models. Here, we present a simple two-compartment grassland model that couples aboveground and belowground biomass. In this model, the growth of belowground biomass is influenced by aboveground biomass and the growth of aboveground biomass is influenced by belowground biomass. We used the model to explore how the dynamics of a grassland ecosystem are influenced by fire and grazing. We show that the grassland system is most persistent at intermediate levels of aboveground-belowground coupling. In this situation, the system can sustain more extreme fire or grazing regimes than in the case of strong coupling. In contrast, the productivity of the system is maximised at high levels of coupling. Our analysis suggests that the yield of a grassland ecosystem is maximised when coupling is strong, however, the intensity of disturbance that can be sustained increases dramatically when coupling is intermediate. Hence, the model predicts that intermediate coupling should be selected for as it maximises the chances of persistence in disturbance driven ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Scheiter & Steven I Higgins, 2013. "Intermediate Coupling between Aboveground and Belowground Biomass Maximises the Persistence of Grasslands," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(4), pages 1-10, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0061149
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061149
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jan Börner & Steven I. Higgins & Jochen Kantelhardt & Simon Scheiter, 2007. "Rainfall or price variability: what determines rangeland management decisions? A simulation‐optimization approach to South African savannas," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 37(2‐3), pages 189-200, September.
    2. Higgins, Steven I. & Kantelhardt, Jochen & Scheiter, Simon & Boerner, Jan, 2007. "Sustainable management of extensively managed savanna rangelands," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 62(1), pages 102-114, April.
    3. Janssen, Marco A. & Anderies, John M. & Walker, Brian H., 2004. "Robust strategies for managing rangelands with multiple stable attractors," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 140-162, January.
    4. Quaas, Martin F. & Baumgartner, Stefan & Becker, Christian & Frank, Karin & Muller, Birgit, 2007. "Uncertainty and sustainability in the management of rangelands," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 62(2), pages 251-266, April.
    5. Crider, Franklin J., 1955. "Root-growth Stoppage Resulting from Defoliation of Grass," Technical Bulletins 156759, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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