NDLI: Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships of overstorey versus understorey trees in an old-growth temperate forest

Content Provider	Springer Nature : BioMed Central
Author	Xu, Wei Luo, Weixue Zhang, Chunyu Zhao, Xiuhai von Gadow, Klaus Zhang, Zhonghui
Abstract	Key message The results of this study, based on a large dataset with mapped tree locations, suggest that the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) is different between the over- and understorey in the investigated forest community. Neither the functional nor the phylogenetic diversity showed a significant advantage in predicting aboveground biomass and biomass production (aboveground biomass increment) when compared with species richness. Context Consistent conclusions have still not been reached regarding the relative importance of the different diversity indices in predicting biomass production. Furthermore, the effects of certain forest strata on the BEF relationship remain unclear. Methods The woody plant species in the study area were classified as two vertical strata and were referred to as the “overstorey” (trees with dbh > 10 cm) and “understorey” (trees with dbh ≤ 10 cm). The relationships between different metrics of tree diversity and biomass production were quantified using linear models. The set of the best predictors for tree biomass and productions were determined using a multi-model selection approach. The differences in diversity-ecosystem functioning relationships between the two forest vertical strata, and the effects of canopy trees on the understorey trees, were investigated using structural equation models. Aims The relative importance of the species diversity, phylogenetic diversity, and functional diversity in predicting the aboveground biomass production (ABP) was examined to compare the potential of phylogenetic and functional diversity indices and species richness in predicting biomass productivity and compare the influence of niche complementarity, selection effects, or mass-ratio effects on aboveground biomass variables and to assess possible differences in the BEF relationships between the overstorey and understorey layers in the studied ecosystems. Also, this study investigated possible differences in the BEF relationships between the overstorey and understorey layers in the studied ecosystems. Results The results confirmed a positive diversity-productivity relationship in the natural coniferous and broadleaved mixed forest. However, the relationship in the overstorey stratum was statistically stronger than that in the understorey layer. The combination of diversity indices and functional traits could explain more of the variations in the biomass and productivity than when examined separately. The correlation between the richness of the overstorey and understorey species was found to be positive. However, the aboveground woody biomass of the overstorey layer had negative effects on the understorey biomass. Conclusion In summary, this study found a stronger positive correlation between the woody plant diversity and productivity in the overstorey than in the understorey stratum. These findings indicate that the BEF relationships are hierarchically dependent, and supported by niche complementarity. Also, a much weaker relationship was observed between the functional diversity and biomass production than between the species diversity and biomass production due to a selection effect. The aboveground woody biomass was found to be enhanced in communities dominated by functional traits correlated to smaller leaf areas, greater maximum tree heights, and higher leaf carbon content. These findings suggest that the BEF relationships were driven by a mass-ratio hypothesis.
Related Links	https://annforsci.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1007/s13595-019-0845-8.pdf
Ending Page	13
Page Count	13
Starting Page	1
File Format	HTM / HTML
DOI	10.1007/s13595-019-0845-8
Journal	Annals of Forest Science
Issue Number	3
Volume Number	76
Language	English
Publisher	BioMed Central
Publisher Date	2019-06-21
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Forestry Wood Science & Technology Forestry Management Tree Biology Environment Temperate forest Tree species diversity Biomass productivity Vertical forest stratum
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Forestry Ecology

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

Managing tree species diversity and ecosystem functions through coexistence mechanisms

Biomass-dominant species shape the productivity-diversity relationship in two temperate forests

Mycorrhizal mushroom diversity and productivity—an indicator of forest health?

Mycorrhizal mushroom diversity and productivity—an indicator of forest health?

Data from: Positive species diversity and above-ground biomass relationships are ubiquitous across forest strata despite interference from overstorey trees (Dataset)

How do invasive trees impact shrub layer diversity and productivity in temperate forests?

Productivity of temperate broad-leaved forest stands differing in tree species diversity

Tree species diversity and above-ground biomass of natural temperate forest: montane versus lowland forest

Linking structure and species richness to support forest biodiversity monitoring at large scales

Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships of overstorey versus understorey trees in an old-growth temperate forest

Similar Documents

Managing tree species diversity and ecosystem functions through coexistence mechanisms

Biomass-dominant species shape the productivity-diversity relationship in two temperate forests

Mycorrhizal mushroom diversity and productivity—an indicator of forest health?

Mycorrhizal mushroom diversity and productivity—an indicator of forest health?

Data from: Positive species diversity and above-ground biomass relationships are ubiquitous across forest strata despite interference from overstorey trees (Dataset)

How do invasive trees impact shrub layer diversity and productivity in temperate forests?

Productivity of temperate broad-leaved forest stands differing in tree species diversity

Tree species diversity and above-ground biomass of natural temperate forest: montane versus lowland forest

Linking structure and species richness to support forest biodiversity monitoring at large scales

Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships of overstorey versus understorey trees in an old-growth temperate forest