The influence of plant composition on ecosystems

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The influence of plant composition on ecosystems
Valerie Eviner, IES
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Ecological toolbox plant traits and ecosystem
services

• Effects of plant species
• Context-dependence of species effects
• Effects of plant species mixtures
• Effects of plant interactions with other
  organisms
• Overall effects of plant communities on ecosystems

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Multiple plant traits determine species effects
on any ecosystem process
litter
soil microclimate
other mechanisms
labile C inputs (exudation)
biogeochemical cycles
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Context-dependence of species effects
Low fertility
High fertility
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Decomposition of a common grass litter
Grass monoculture
Mixture
Legume monoculture
Mass loss (1 year)
A AG G
B BA A
G GB B
40
40
30
30
20
20
10
10
B BL L
G GL L
A AL L
0
0
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litter
soil microclimate
other mechanisms
labile C inputs (exudation)
biogeochemical cycles
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Effects of plant diversity on ecosystems also
influenced by plant traits
ecosystem function
diversity
-productivity -nutrient retention -disease
prevention NOT decomposition, N cycling
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Plant traits affect distribution and activity of
other organisms through

• Tissue and litter quality
• Rooting structure and distribution
• Canopy architecture
• cover (live and dead)
• Microclimate effects
• Root exudation

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Multiple ecosystem functions influenced by plant
traits

• Soil stability- root distribution and
  strength, C inputs, effects on soil microbes
• Soil organic matter- C inputs, rootshoot
  allocation, tissue quality
• Soil nutrient retention- plant uptake, C inputs,
  phenolic compounds, effects on soil pH and SOM
• Decomposition- litter quality, exudation rates,
  tissue turnover, microclimate effects, effects
  on soil microbes
• Hydrology- water use, root distribution and
  morphology, canopy structure, waxes
• Microclimate- canopy morphology and density,
  litter quality, water use
• Regional climate- canopy color and structure,
  transpiration rates, root depth

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uky.edu
Images from Canada-Ontario Agriculture Green Plan
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ncsu.edu



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Ecological toolbox plant traits and ecosystem
services

• Effects of plant species
• Context-dependence of species effects
• Effects of plant species mixtures
• Effects of plant interactions with other
  organisms
• Overall effects of plant communities on ecosystems

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• WHAT IM BRINGING
• Plant toolbox allows us to
• Use plant manipulations to manage for multiple
  ecosystem services
• Agriculture
• Restoration
• Waste management
• Predict the impacts of changes in vegetation
  composition on multiple ecosystem services
• Environmental changes
• Invasions
• Management practices

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What Id like to take away

• Collaborations
• Terrestrial-aquatic
• Social science and economics- building win-win
  solutions