Unveiling below-ground species abundance in a biodiversity experiment: a test of vertical niche differentiation among grassland species

• Published in: The Journal of ecology Vol. 98; no. 5; pp. 1117 - 1127
• Main Authors: Mommer, Liesje, van Ruijven, Jasper, de Caluwe, Hannie, Smit-Tiekstra, Annemiek E, Wagemaker, Cornelis A.M, Joop Ouborg, N, Bögemann, Gerard M, van der Weerden, Gerard M, Berendse, Frank, de Kroon, Hans
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2010; Blackwell Publishing; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Blackwell
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Anthoxanthum odoratum; Biodiversity; Biological and medical sciences; biomass; complementarity; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Determinants of plant community diversity and structure; DNA; Ecology; ecosystem functioning; ecosystems; Flowers & plants; forbs; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Grasses; Grasslands; Human ecology; interspecific competition; microbial communities; Mineralization; Monoculture; niche differentiation; Niches; nutrient depletion; nutrients; Organic matter; pathogens; Plant diversity; Plant ecology; Plant growth; Plant roots; Plant species; Plants; Primary production; primary productivity; productivity; rhizosphere; root competition; root ecology; root growth; root interactions; rooting; Roots; Soil ecology; soil feedbacks; Soil nutrients; Soil organic matter; Soils; Species; Species diversity; species interactions; Topsoil; Grassland; Community structure; niche differentiation; Root; Plant community; Interaction; root interactions; Ecology; nutrient depletion; Biodiversity; root ecology; Depletion; species interactions; Ecological niche; Nutrient; Ecosystem functioning; Differentiation; determinants of plant community diversity and structure; Ecological abundance; Interspecific relation

1. Plant diversity has profound effects on primary production. Plant diversity has been shown to correlate with increased primary production in nutrient-limited grassland ecosystems. This overyielding has been attributed to vertical niche differentiation among species below-ground, allowing for comp...