Spatial turnover of multiple ecosystem functions is more associated with plant than soil microbial β-diversity

Jing, X. and Prager, C.M. and Borer, E.T. and Gotelli, N.J. and Gruner, D.S. and He, J.-S. and Kirkman, K. and MacDougall, A.S. and McCulley, R.L. and Prober, S.M. and Seabloom, E.W. and Stevens, C.J. and Classen, A.T. and Sanders, N.J. (2021) Spatial turnover of multiple ecosystem functions is more associated with plant than soil microbial β-diversity. Ecosphere, 12 (7): e03644. ISSN 2150-8925

Abstract

Biodiversity—both above- and belowground—influences multiple functions in terrestrial ecosystems. Yet, it is unclear whether differences in above- and belowground species composition (β-diversity) are associated with differences in multiple ecosystem functions (e.g., spatial turnover in ecosystem function). Here, we partitioned the contributions of above- and belowground β-diversity and abiotic factors (geographic distance, differences in environments) on the spatial turnover of multiple grassland ecosystem functions. We compiled a dataset of plant and soil microbial communities and six indicators of grassland ecosystem functions (i.e., plant aboveground live biomass, plant nitrogen [N], plant phosphorus [P], root biomass, soil total N, and soil extractable P) from 18 grassland sites on four continents contributing to the Nutrient Network experiment. We used Mantel tests and structural equation models to disentangle the relationship between above- and belowground β-diversity and spatial turnover in grassland ecosystem functions. We found that the effects of abiotic factors on the spatial turnover of ecosystem functions were largely indirect through their influences on above- and belowground β-diversity, and that spatial turnover of ecosystem function was more strongly associated with plant β-diversity than with soil microbial β-diversity. These results indicate that changes in above- and belowground species composition are one mechanism that interacts with environmental change to determine variability in multiple ecosystem functions across spatial scales. As grasslands face global threats from shrub encroachment, conversion to agriculture, or are lost to development, the functions and services they provide will more strongly converge with increased aboveground community homogenization than with soil microbial community homogenization.