Category: Research

Decomposition of plant litter is a key process for the flow of energy and nutrients in ecosystems that may be sensitive to the loss of biodiversity. Two hypothetical mechanisms by which changes in plant diversity could affect litter decomposition are (1) through changes in litter species composition, and (2) by altering the decomposition microenvironment.

Continue reading “Consequences of the reduction of plant diversity for litter decomposition: effects through litter quality and microenvironment” →

The disappearance of species from Earth has been likened to the loss of rivets from an airplane (1). This vivid analogy has inspired ecologists to think about how changes in biodiversity affect the way that ecosystems operate. We tend to view this research, which is currently one of the most active areas in ecology, as relatively new, but as with many things in biology, Darwin got there first (2–4). In TheOrigin of Species(3) Darwin says, “It has been experimentally proved that if a plot of ground be sown with one species of grass, and a similar plot be sown with several distinct genera of grasses, a greater number of plants and a greater weight of dry herbage can thus be raised.”

Continue reading “Darwin and the First Ecological Experiment” →

The relationship between community diversity and invasion resistance in a grassland was examined using experimental plant assemblages that varied in species richness and composition. The assemblages were weeded for three seasons to remove unsown species and we used the number of weeded seedlings, their total biomass and the number of species removed as indicators of community resistance and susceptibility to invasion.

Continue reading “Community diversity and invasion resistance: An experimental test in a grassland ecosystem and a review of comparable studies” →