Journal Article

Spatiotemporal dynamics of abiotic and biotic properties explain biodiversity–ecosystem-functioning relationships

Gottschall, Felix, Cesarz, Simone, Auge, Harald, Kovach, Kyle R., Mori, Akira S., Eisenhauer, Nico, Nock, Charles A.

2022

Overview

There is increasing evidence that spatial and temporal dynamics of biodiversity and ecosystem functions play an essential role in biodiversity–ecosystem-functioning (BEF) relationships. Despite the known importance of soil processes for forest ecosystems, below-ground functions in response to tree diversity and spatiotemporal dynamics of ecological processes and conditions remain poorly described. We propose a novel conceptual framework integrating spatiotemporal dynamics in BEF relationships and hypothesized a positive tree species richness effect on soil ecosystem functions through the spatial and temporal stability of biotic and abiotic soil properties based on species complementarity and asynchrony. We tested this framework within a long-term tree diversity experiment in Central Germany by assessing soil ecosystem functions (soil microbial properties and litter decomposition) and abiotic variables (soil moisture and surface temperature) for two consecutive years in high spatial and temporal resolution. Tree species richness and identity had significant effects on soil properties (e.g., soil microbial biomass). Structural equation modeling revealed that overall soil microbial biomass was partly explained by (1) enhanced temporal stability of soil surface temperature and (2) decreased spatial stability of soil microbial biomass. Overall, spatial stability of soil microbial properties was positively correlated with their temporal stability. These results suggest that spatiotemporal dynamics are indeed crucial determinants in BEF relationships and highlight the importance of vegetation-induced microclimatic conditions for stable provisioning of soil ecosystem functions and services.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons, Inc,Wiley,Ecological Society of America
• Subject: aboveground‐belowground interactions / Biodiversity / Biomass / Complementarity / Dynamic stability / Dynamics / Ecological function / Ecosystem assessment / ecosystem functioning / Ecosystems / equations / Forest ecosystems / forests / Germany / Herbivores / microbial biomass / microclimate / Microorganisms / Multivariate statistical analysis / Plant diversity / Plant species / Provisioning / soil ecosystems / soil functions / soil microbial properties / Soil moisture / Soil properties / Soil stability / Soil surfaces / Soil temperature / soil water / spatiotemporal dynamics / Species richness / stability / Surface stability / Surface temperature / temperature / Temporal resolution / temporal variation / Terrestrial ecosystems / tree species richness / trees