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Systematic distributions of interaction strengths across tree interaction networks yield positive diversity-productivity relationships
  • +8
  • Wentao Yu,
  • Georg Albert,
  • Benjamin Rosenbaum,
  • Florian Schnabel,
  • Helge Bruelheide,
  • John Connolly,
  • Werner Härdtle,
  • Goddert von Oheimb,
  • Stefan Trogisch,
  • Nadja Rüger,
  • Ulrich Brose
Wentao Yu
Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Georg Albert
iDiv
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Benjamin Rosenbaum
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
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Florian Schnabel
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
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Helge Bruelheide
Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg
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John Connolly
University College Dublin
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Werner Härdtle
Leuphana University of Lüneburg
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Goddert von Oheimb
Technische Universitat Dresden
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Stefan Trogisch
Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg Institut fur Biologie
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Nadja Rüger
Universität Leipzig
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Ulrich Brose
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research Halle-Jena-Lepizig
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Abstract

Understand the mechanisms underlying diversity-productivity relationships (DPRs) is crucial to mitigating the effects of forest biodiversity loss. Tree-tree interactions in diverse communities are fundamental in driving growth rates, potentially shaping the emergent DPRs, yet remains poorly explored. Here, using data from a large-scale forest biodiversity experiment in subtropical China, we demonstrated that changes in individual tree productivity were driven by species-specific pairwise interactions, with higher positive net pairwise interaction effects on trees in more diverse neighbourhoods. The aggregated interaction effects subsequently determined the community DPRs. We further revealed that the positive differences between inter- and intra-specific interactions were the critical determinant for the emergence of positive DPRs. Surprisingly, the condition for positive DPRs corresponded to the condition for coexistence. Our results thus provide a novel insight into how pairwise tree interactions regulate DPRs, with implications for identifying the tree mixtures with maximised productivity to guide forest restoration and reforestation efforts.
26 May 2023Submitted to Ecology Letters
30 May 2023Submission Checks Completed
30 May 2023Assigned to Editor
30 May 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
31 May 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Jun 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
03 Aug 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
03 Aug 20231st Revision Received
04 Aug 2023Assigned to Editor
04 Aug 2023Submission Checks Completed
04 Aug 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Sep 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
15 Oct 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Oct 20232nd Revision Received
16 Oct 2023Submission Checks Completed
16 Oct 2023Assigned to Editor
16 Oct 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Oct 2023Editorial Decision: Accept