Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Biodiversity experiments are designed to identify how ecosystem functioning is affected by changes in diversity that can occur due to the decline, extinction, or invasion of species. Biodiversity experiments are a complement to theoretical and observational studies. There are two main ways to manipulate biodiversity: through the removal of species or by the assembly of experimental ecosystems of varying diversities. The latter allows comprehensive exploration of many possible combinations of species, some of which may be realized in the future. After three decades, more than 370 biodiversity experiments have been conducted. Results have been surprisingly consistent and indicate that biodiversity loss is causing substantial losses of ecosystem functioning, stability, and services.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/B978-0-12-822562-2.00153-5

Type

Chapter

Book title

Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, Third Edition: Volume 1-7

Publication Date

01/01/2024