Biodiversity boosts grassland productivity most in extreme drought
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A global synthesis of 75 biodiversity experiments found that during extreme drought, drier grasslands receive the greatest productivity boost from biodiversity. Forests did not show the same pattern. The study was published in Nature Ecology & Evolution on July 15 by researchers from Yokohama National University.
The Synthesis
Researchers from Yokohama National University analyzed 75 biodiversity experiments worldwide to assess how biodiversity affects productivity under drought. The study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution on July 15, is the first global synthesis to examine context-dependent effects across ecosystems. It included data from grasslands, forests, and other biomes.
Grassland Response
In drier grasslands, extreme drought amplified the positive effect of biodiversity on productivity by up to 30% compared to normal conditions. The benefit was strongest in ecosystems with low mean annual precipitation. This suggests that biodiversity acts as a buffer against climate extremes in water-limited regions.
Forest Exception
Forests did not show the same context-dependent pattern under drought. The productivity benefit from biodiversity remained consistent regardless of drought intensity. The authors note that forest ecosystems may rely on different mechanisms, such as deeper root systems, to cope with water stress.
What's Next
The researchers plan to investigate the mechanisms behind the grassland response in field experiments. It remains unclear whether the pattern holds for other extreme events like heatwaves or flooding.
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Biodiversity boosts grassland productivity most in extreme drought
