title: Using a multi-trait approach to manipulate plant functional diversity in a biodiversity-ecosystem function experiment.
abstract: A frequent pattern emerging from biodiversity-ecosystem function studies is that functional group richness enhances ecosystem functions such as primary productivity. However, the manipulation of functional group richness goes along with major disadvantages like the transformation of functional trait data into categories or the exclusion of functional differences between organisms in the same group. In a mesocosm study we manipulated plant functional diversity based on the multi-trait Functional Diversity (FD)-approach of Petchey and Gaston by using database data of seven functional traits and information on the origin of the species in terms of being native or exotic. Along a gradient ranging from low to high FD we planted 40 randomly selected eight-species mixtures under controlled conditions. We found a significant positive linear correlation of FD with aboveground productivity and a negative correlation with invasibility of the plant communities. Based on community-weighted mean calculations for each functional trait, we figured out that the traits N-fixation and species origin, i.e. being native or exotic, played the most important role for community productivity. Our results suggest that the identification of the impact of functional trait diversity and the relative contributions of relevant traits is essential for a mechanistic understanding of the role of biodiversity for ecosystem functions such as aboveground biomass production and resistance against invasion.
authors.affiliation: Freie Universität Berlin, Functional Biodiversity, Dahlem Center of Plant Sciences, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Conrad
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schittko
authors.affiliation: Freie Universität Berlin, Functional Biodiversity, Dahlem Center of Plant Sciences, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hawa
authors.affiliation: Freie Universität Berlin, Functional Biodiversity, Dahlem Center of Plant Sciences, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wurst
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D018533:Biomass; D017753:Ecosystem; D018525:Germination / Q000276:immunology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010641:Phenotype; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D010944:Plants / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D036624:Solidago / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity