Plant functional groups shape biodiversity-soil functions relationships
under climate change
Abstract
Biodiversity-function relationships in ecosystems are known to be driven
by environmental conditions, including climate change. Plant functional
groups (PFGs), specifically their evolutionary history,
nitrogen-fixation capacity or photosynthetic-pathway likely play a
critical role in shaping microbial communities and their impact on
ecosystem functions, but experimental evidence is limited. Here, we
simultaneously manipulated plant and microbial diversity in a microcosm
study to investigate their interactions and impact on soil functions
during drought. Our results highlight the dominant role of PFGs in
explaining the effects of biodiversity loss on soil functions. Microbial
diversity loss significantly influenced microbially-driven soil N and P
pools and processes, with PFGs moderating these effects, especially
under drought. Our findings offer crucial mechanistic insights for
ecosystem management in the face of climate change, emphasizing the
significance of PFGs in shaping soil functions and their resilience.
This study underscores the importance of considering above- and
belowground biodiversity, for preserving belowground functions in
changing environments.