Comment on "Plant species richness and ecosystem multifunctionality in global drylands".
Maestre et al. (Reports, 13 January 2012, p. 214) reported a general, but weak, positive relationship between plant diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality in global drylands. We show that the strength of this relationship changes consistently along multiple environmental gradients, becoming strongly positive in stressed habitats. This suggests that biodiversity loss may have especially strong consequences in harsh environments.
Forest Ecology and Conservation Group, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK. tj272@cam.ac.uk
Tommaso
T
Jucker
David A
DA
Coomes
D044822:Biodiversity; D002980:Climate; D017753:Ecosystem; D010944:Plants