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The effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning generally increase over time, but the underlying processes remain unclear. Using 26 long-term grassland and forest experimental ecosystems, we demonstrate that biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships strengthen mainly by greater increases in functioning in high-diversity communities in grasslands and forests. In grasslands, biodiversity effects also strengthen due to decreases in functioning in low-diversity communities. Contrasting trends across grasslands are associated with differences in soil characteristics.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/s41559-017-0325-1

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Ecol Evol

Publication Date

11/2017

Volume

1

Pages

1639 - 1642

Keywords

Biodiversity, Ecosystem, Forests, Grassland