title: Plant diversity and root traits benefit physical properties key to soil function in grasslands.
abstract: Plant diversity loss impairs ecosystem functioning, including important effects on soil. Most studies that have explored plant diversity effects belowground, however, have largely focused on biological processes. As such, our understanding of how plant diversity impacts the soil physical environment remains limited, despite the fundamental role soil physical structure plays in ensuring soil function and ecosystem service provision. Here, in both a glasshouse and a long-term field study, we show that high plant diversity in grassland systems increases soil aggregate stability, a vital structural property of soil, and that root traits play a major role in determining diversity effects. We also reveal that the presence of particular plant species within mixed communities affects an even wider range of soil physical processes, including hydrology and soil strength regimes. Our results indicate that alongside well-documented effects on ecosystem functioning, plant diversity and root traits also benefit essential soil physical properties.
authors.affiliation: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK.
authors.forename: Iain J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.affiliation: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK.
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Quinton
authors.affiliation: Department of Special Botany and Functional Biodiversity, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.|German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weigelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Quality, University of Wageningen, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, 6708PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gerlinde B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: De Deyn
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Bardgett
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D005858:Germany; D065948:Grassland; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000502:physiology*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012987:Soil
keywords: Aggregate stability; biodiversity; grasslands; root traits; soil physics