Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 7607 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Scientific reports |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 15 May 2018 |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
Abstract
The effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functions have been extensively studied, but little is known about the effects of ecosystem functions on biodiversity. This knowledge is important for understanding biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. Desertification reversal is a significant global challenge, but the factors that play key roles in this process remain unclear. Here, using data sampled from areas undergoing desertification reversal, we identify the dominant soil factors that play a role in vegetation recovery with ordinary least squares and structural equation modelling. We found that ecosystem functions related to the cycling of soil carbon (organic C, SOC), nitrogen (total N, TN), and potassium (available K, AK) had the most substantial effects on vegetation recovery. The effects of these ecosystem functions were simultaneously influenced by the soil clay, silt and coarse sand fractions and the soil water content. Our findings suggest that K plays a critical role in ecosystem functioning and is a limiting factor in desertification reversal. Our results provide a scientific basis for desertification reversal. Specifically, we found that plant biodiversity may be regulated by N, phosphorus (P) and K cycling. Collectively, biodiversity may respond to ecosystem functions, the conservation and enhancement of which can promote the recovery of vegetation.
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In: Scientific reports, Vol. 8, No. 1, 7607, 2018.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Ecosystem functions including soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and available potassium are crucial for vegetation recovery
AU - Qiu, Kaiyang
AU - Xie, Yingzhong
AU - Xu, Dongmei
AU - Pott, Richard
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2018 The Author(s).
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - The effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functions have been extensively studied, but little is known about the effects of ecosystem functions on biodiversity. This knowledge is important for understanding biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. Desertification reversal is a significant global challenge, but the factors that play key roles in this process remain unclear. Here, using data sampled from areas undergoing desertification reversal, we identify the dominant soil factors that play a role in vegetation recovery with ordinary least squares and structural equation modelling. We found that ecosystem functions related to the cycling of soil carbon (organic C, SOC), nitrogen (total N, TN), and potassium (available K, AK) had the most substantial effects on vegetation recovery. The effects of these ecosystem functions were simultaneously influenced by the soil clay, silt and coarse sand fractions and the soil water content. Our findings suggest that K plays a critical role in ecosystem functioning and is a limiting factor in desertification reversal. Our results provide a scientific basis for desertification reversal. Specifically, we found that plant biodiversity may be regulated by N, phosphorus (P) and K cycling. Collectively, biodiversity may respond to ecosystem functions, the conservation and enhancement of which can promote the recovery of vegetation.
AB - The effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functions have been extensively studied, but little is known about the effects of ecosystem functions on biodiversity. This knowledge is important for understanding biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. Desertification reversal is a significant global challenge, but the factors that play key roles in this process remain unclear. Here, using data sampled from areas undergoing desertification reversal, we identify the dominant soil factors that play a role in vegetation recovery with ordinary least squares and structural equation modelling. We found that ecosystem functions related to the cycling of soil carbon (organic C, SOC), nitrogen (total N, TN), and potassium (available K, AK) had the most substantial effects on vegetation recovery. The effects of these ecosystem functions were simultaneously influenced by the soil clay, silt and coarse sand fractions and the soil water content. Our findings suggest that K plays a critical role in ecosystem functioning and is a limiting factor in desertification reversal. Our results provide a scientific basis for desertification reversal. Specifically, we found that plant biodiversity may be regulated by N, phosphorus (P) and K cycling. Collectively, biodiversity may respond to ecosystem functions, the conservation and enhancement of which can promote the recovery of vegetation.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85047061155&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/s41598-018-25875-x
DO - 10.1038/s41598-018-25875-x
M3 - Article
C2 - 29765070
AN - SCOPUS:85047061155
VL - 8
JO - Scientific reports
JF - Scientific reports
SN - 2045-2322
IS - 1
M1 - 7607
ER -