Increasing litter species richness reduces variability in a terrestrial decomposer system

• Published in: Ecology (Durham) Vol. 89; no. 9; pp. 2657 - 2664
• Main Authors: Keith, Aidan M, Van der Wal, Rene, Brooker, Rob W, Osler, Graham H.R, Chapman, Stephen J, Burslem, David F.R.P, Elston, David A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2008
• Subjects: Animals; Betula pendula; Biodiversity; Biomass; Calluna vulgaris; Deschampsia flexuosa; Ecosystem; ecosystems; highlands; Nematoda; Pinus sylvestris; plant communities; plant litter; Soil Microbiology; soil microorganisms; species diversity; Trees; Vaccinium myrtillus; Scotland

Debate on the relationship between diversity and stability has been driven by the recognition that species loss may influence ecosystem properties and processes. We conducted a litterbag experiment in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom, to examine the effects of altering plant litter diversity o...