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Directed species loss from species-rich forests strongly decreases productivity

At high species richness, directed loss, but not random loss, of tree species strongly decreases forest productivity. An international research team with the involvement of the Univer...

In Paper, Mar 12, 2020

Neighbourhood diversity mitigates drought impacts on tree growth

Abstract: Biodiversity is considered to mitigate detrimental impacts of climate change on the functioning of forest ecosystems, such as drought‐induced decline in forest productivity...

In Paper, Jan 13, 2020

Growth-trait relationships depend on species richness in subtropical forest

The Editor’s Choice article for Volume 108 Issue 1 is “Growth–trait relationships in subtropical forest are stronger at higher diversity“ by Bongers et al. This study assessed how gro...

In Paper, Jan 06, 2020

Neighbour species richness and local structural variability modulate aboveground allocation patterns and crown morphology of individual trees

Abstract:Local neighbourhood interactions are considered a main driver for biodiversity–productivity relationships in forests. Yet, the structural responses of individual trees in spe...

In Paper, Oct 17, 2019

Herbivore phylogenetic diversity can be affected by plant diversity loss

Global change leads to increasing biodiversity loss, usually with consequences for the structure and functioning of ecosystems, such as primary productivity and nutrient cycling.

In Paper, Aug 24, 2019

Multiple plant diversity components drive consumer communities across ecosystems

Abstract:Humans modify ecosystems and biodiversity worldwide, with negative consequences for ecosystem functioning. Promoting plant diversity is increasingly suggested as a mitigation...

In Paper, Mar 29, 2019

Tree diversity increases robustness of multi-trophic interactions

Abstract:Multi-trophic interactions maintain critical ecosystem functions. Biodiversity is declining globally, while responses of trophic interactions to biodiversity change are large...

In Paper, Mar 06, 2019

Species-rich forests store twice as much carbon as monocultures

Species-rich subtropical forests can take up on average twice as much carbon as monocultures. An international research team with the involvement of the University of Zurich has evalu...

In Paper, Oct 25, 2018

Species-rich forests better compensate environmental impacts

To offset CO2 emissions, China is reforesting. If a mixture of tree species instead of monocultures were planted, much more carbon could be stored. An international team including UZH...

In Paper, Aug 22, 2018

Neighbourhood interactions drive overyielding in mixed-species tree communities

Abstract:Theory suggests that plant interactions at the neighbourhood scale play a fundamental role in regulating biodiversity–productivity relationships (BPRs) in tree communities. H...

In Paper, Mar 20, 2018

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