title: Land-use intensification causes multitrophic homogenization of grassland communities.
abstract: Land-use intensification is a major driver of biodiversity loss. Alongside reductions in local species diversity, biotic homogenization at larger spatial scales is of great concern for conservation. Biotic homogenization means a decrease in β-diversity (the compositional dissimilarity between sites). Most studies have investigated losses in local (α)-diversity and neglected biodiversity loss at larger spatial scales. Studies addressing β-diversity have focused on single or a few organism groups (for example, ref. 4), and it is thus unknown whether land-use intensification homogenizes communities at different trophic levels, above- and belowground. Here we show that even moderate increases in local land-use intensity (LUI) cause biotic homogenization across microbial, plant and animal groups, both above- and belowground, and that this is largely independent of changes in α-diversity. We analysed a unique grassland biodiversity dataset, with abundances of more than 4,000 species belonging to 12 trophic groups. LUI, and, in particular, high mowing intensity, had consistent effects on β-diversity across groups, causing a homogenization of soil microbial, fungal pathogen, plant and arthropod communities. These effects were nonlinear and the strongest declines in β-diversity occurred in the transition from extensively managed to intermediate intensity grassland. LUI tended to reduce local α-diversity in aboveground groups, whereas the α-diversity increased in belowground groups. Correlations between the β-diversity of different groups, particularly between plants and their consumers, became weaker at high LUI. This suggests a loss of specialist species and is further evidence for biotic homogenization. The consistently negative effects of LUI on landscape-scale biodiversity underscore the high value of extensively managed grasslands for conserving multitrophic biodiversity and ecosystem service provision. Indeed, biotic homogenization rather than local diversity loss could prove to be the most substantial consequence of land-use intensification.
authors.affiliation: Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising D-85354, Germany.|Institute of Ecology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Dornburger Str 159, Jena D-07743, Germany.|Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf CH-8903, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Martin M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Gossner
authors.affiliation: Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising D-85354, Germany.|Department of Animal Biology, IB, UNICAMP-University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, CEP, 13083-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Lewinsohn
authors.affiliation: Chair of Silviculture, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstraße 4, Freiburg im Breisgau D-79106, Germany.|Biosphere Reserve Vessertal-Thuringian Forest, Brunnenstr 1, Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig D-98711, Germany.
authors.forename: Tiemo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kahl
authors.affiliation: Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, Bern CH-3013, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grassein
authors.affiliation: Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, Bern CH-3013, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boch
authors.affiliation: Biosphere Reserve Vessertal-Thuringian Forest, Brunnenstr 1, Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig D-98711, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prati
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, Lund S-22362, Sweden.|Chair of Ecology, Faculty Environment and Natural Sciences, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Großenhainer Str 57, Senftenberg D-01968, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Birkhofer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Wien A-1180, Austria.|Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm D-89069, Germany.
authors.forename: Swen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Renner
authors.affiliation: Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Inhoffenstraße 7B, Braunschweig D-38302, Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sikorski
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Halle-Saale D-06120, Germany.|Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21, Leipzig D-04103, Germany.
authors.forename: Tesfaye
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wubet
authors.affiliation: Biocentre, Institute for Zoology, General Ecology, University of Cologne, Zuelpicher Str 47b, Cologne (Köln) D-50674, Germany.
authors.forename: Hartmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arndt
authors.affiliation: Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Inhoffenstraße 7B, Braunschweig D-38302, Germany.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
authors.affiliation: Biosphere Reserve Vessertal-Thuringian Forest, Brunnenstr 1, Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig D-98711, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blaser
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Ecological Networks, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 3, Darmstadt D-64287, Germany.
authors.forename: Nico
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Blüthgen
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocentre, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg D-97074, Germany.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Börschig
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Halle-Saale D-06120, Germany.|Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21, Leipzig D-04103, Germany.
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buscot
authors.affiliation: Animal Ecology, Justus-Liebig-University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, Giessen D-35392, Germany.|Landscape Ecology, Institute for Natural Resource Conservation, Kiel University, Olshausenstr 75, Kiel D-24118, Germany.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Diekötter
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology, IB, UNICAMP-University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, CEP, 13083-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leonardo Ré
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Jorge
authors.affiliation: Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm D-89069, Germany.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecosystem Modelling, University of Göttingen, Büsgenweg 4, Göttingen D-37077, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Keyel
authors.affiliation: Chair of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstraße 4, Freiburg im Breisgau D-79106, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexandra-Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Ecology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Halle-Saale D-06120, Germany.|German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, Leipzig D-04103, Germany.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Klemmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocentre, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg D-97074, Germany.
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krauss
authors.affiliation: Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising D-85354, Germany.|Institute of Ecology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Dornburger Str 159, Jena D-07743, Germany.|Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Hans-Knoell-Str 10, Jena D-07745, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 1, Potsdam D-14469, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Inhoffenstraße 7B, Braunschweig D-38302, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Overmann
authors.affiliation: Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising D-85354, Germany.|Institute of Ecology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Dornburger Str 159, Jena D-07743, Germany.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pašalić
authors.affiliation: Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, Bern CH-3013, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Penone
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.|Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen D-37077, Germany.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Perović
authors.affiliation: German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, Leipzig D-04103, Germany.|Department of Computer Science, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) D-06120, Germany.|Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) D-06108, Germany.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Purschke
authors.affiliation: Department Silviculture and Forest Ecology of the Temperate Zones, University of Göttingen, Göttingen D-37077, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schall
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolution, Botanical Garden, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Socher
authors.affiliation: Functional Biodiversity, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin D-14195, Germany.
authors.forename: Ilja
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sonnemann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm D-89069, Germany.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tschapka
authors.affiliation: Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen D-37077, Germany.
authors.forename: Teja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tscharntke
authors.affiliation: Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising D-85354, Germany.|Institute of Ecology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Dornburger Str 159, Jena D-07743, Germany.|Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21, Leipzig D-04103, Germany.|German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, Leipzig D-04103, Germany.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Türke
authors.affiliation: Biocentre, Institute for Zoology, General Ecology, University of Cologne, Zuelpicher Str 47b, Cologne (Köln) D-50674, Germany.
authors.forename: Paul Christiaan
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Venter
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Ecological Networks, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 3, Darmstadt D-64287, Germany.
authors.forename: Christiane N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Ecological Networks, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 3, Darmstadt D-64287, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.affiliation: Animal Ecology, Justus-Liebig-University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, Giessen D-35392, Germany.
authors.forename: Volkmar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Wolters
authors.affiliation: Functional Biodiversity, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin D-14195, Germany.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wurst
authors.affiliation: Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen D-37077, Germany.
authors.forename: Catrin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Westphal
authors.affiliation: Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising D-85354, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, Freising D-85354, Germany.|Institute of Ecology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Dornburger Str 159, Jena D-07743, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Weisser
authors.affiliation: Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, Bern CH-3013, Switzerland.|Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Hallerstrasse, 10, Bern CH-3012, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Allan
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D001181:Arthropods; D044822:Biodiversity; D001717:Birds; D019068:Bryopsida; D002685:Chiroptera; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D066264:Datasets as Topic; D020387:Food Chain; D005658:Fungi; D005858:Germany; D065948:Grassland; D006802:Human Activities; D008011:Lichens; D010944:Plants; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013045:Species Specificity