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Understanding mechanisms stabilizing ecosystem functions, such as primary production, is crucial for forecasting global environmental responses. While biological diversity is expected to enhance stability through compensatory reactions to environmental changes, empirical evidence is lacking, especially in old‐growth forests vital for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Moreover, whether increased niche complementarity and stronger intraspecific than interspecific competition are key mechanisms promoting compensatory dynamics and stabilizing ecosystem functions in diverse forests remains unexplored.This study investigates productivity and stability in temperate old‐growth forests over 20 years at community and individual levels. Analysing 4380 trees in a 4‐ha plot in northern Japan with over 35 tree species, structural equation models evaluated the effects of biodiversity and average asynchrony in species fluctuations (compensatory dynamics) on productivity stability across 100 m2 grid quadrats. Functional traits and taxonomic diversity represented species complementarity and the insurance effect. Temporal growth correlations between conspecific and heterospecific neighbours and neighbourhood effects on growth performance indicated intra‐ and interspecific interactions at the individual level.Communities with greater stability exhibited higher diversity and asynchronous species fluctuations, suggesting that compensatory dynamics buffer community productivity against environmental variability. The inverse relationship between tree size variation and stability indicates that communities with less pronounced size and abundance hierarchies have more efficient compensatory mechanisms, ensuring stable forest functioning.The absence of negative temporal correlations in biomass production among heterospecific neighbours suggests the limited significance of interspecific competition in compensatory dynamics. Conversely, positive correlations among conspecific neighbours and their suppressed growth in dense conspecific patches highlight the importance of conspecific negative density‐dependent mechanisms in sustaining tree species diversity and ensuring stable productivity.Synthesis: The study underscores the critical role of tree species richness in stabilizing ecosystem functioning via asynchronous growth in one of the world's most diverse temperate forests. Stronger intraspecific than interspecific competition helps prevent single‐species dominance, maintaining diversity and productivity stability. Despite occasional destabilization from size‐asymmetric interspecific competition, species‐trait complementarity enhances stability by promoting overall biomass production. This study highlights the importance of overall diversity for the stability of forest productivity, with implications for nature conservation and ecosystem functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topographic heterogeneity sets the stage for community assembly, but its effects on ecosystem functioning remain poorly understood. Here, we test the hypothesis that topographic heterogeneity underpins multiple cascading species interactions and functional pathways that indirectly control multifunctionality. To do so, we combined experimental manipulation of a form of topographic heterogeneity on rocky shores (holes of various sizes) with a comprehensive assessment of naturally assembled communities and multifunctionality. Structural equation modeling indicated that heterogeneity: (1) enhanced biodiversity by supporting filter feeder richness; (2) triggered a facilitation cascade via reef‐forming (polychaete) and biomass‐dominant (macroalga) foundation species, which in turn broadly supported functionally diverse epibiotic and understory assemblages; and (3) inhibited a key consumer (limpet). The model supported that these mechanisms exerted complementary positive effects on individual functions (e.g., water filtration, ecosystem metabolism, nutrient uptake) and, in turn, collectively enhanced multifunctionality. Topographic heterogeneity may therefore serve as a cornerstone physical attribute by initiating multiple cascades that propagate through ecological communities via foundation species, ultimately manifesting disproportionate effects on ecosystem multifunctionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountain ecosystems play an important role globally as centers of biodiversity and in providing ecosystem services to lowland populations, but are influenced by multiple global change drivers such as climate change, nitrogen deposition, or altered disturbance regimes. As global change is accelerating and the consequences for humans and nature are intensifying, there is an increasing demand for understanding and predicting the impacts and implications of global change on mountain ecosystems. Manipulation experiments are one of the major tools for testing the causal impacts of global change and establishing a mechanistic understanding of how these changes may transform the global biota from single organisms to entire ecosystems. Over the past three decades, hundreds of such experiments have been conducted in mountainous regions worldwide. To strengthen the experimental evidence for the possible ecological consequences of global change, we systematically reviewed the literature on global change experiments in mountains. We first investigated the spread of manipulation experiments to test the effects of different global change drivers on key biological and ecological processes from the organism to the ecosystem level. We then examined and discussed the balance of evidence regarding the impact of these global change drivers on biological and ecological processes, and outlined the possible consequences for mountain ecosystems. Finally, we identified research gaps and proposed future directions for global change research in mountain environments. Among the major drivers, temperature was manipulated most frequently, generally showing consistent strong impacts between biological and ecosystem processes, functional groups, and habitat types. There is also strong evidence suggesting that changes in water and nutrient availability have a direct impact on the life history and functioning of mountain organisms. Despite these important findings, there are several gaps that require urgent attention. These include experiments testing adult trees in tropical and boreal regions, assessing animal responses and biotic interactions, and investigating aquatic environments and soil systems more extensively. A broader approach that integrates experimental data with field observations and relies on international collaboration through coordinated experiments could help address these gaps and provide a more consistent and robust picture of the impacts of global change on mountain ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystems are increasingly challenged by the multiple facets of climate change, coupled with intensifying land‐use pressures. These co‐occurring stressors can interact in complex ways, but we lack an empirical understanding of the impact of higher‐order interactions on temporal patterns. Using 128 flow‐through circular stream mesocosms, we investigated the individual and combined effects of two climatic stressors (CO2 enrichment, flow variability) and two land‐use‐related stressors (siltation, light—as lack of shading) on algal communities and net ecosystem productivity (NPP) in a full‐factorial design. The sediment pulses coincided with high flow to mimic erosion events, whereas CO2 and light disturbances were applied continuously, as they would in nature. Sediment emerged as a key stressor for algal biomass. Land‐use stressors had more pervasive individual effects, whereas climate‐change‐related stressors were more important in up to three‐way interactions with other stressors. However, CO2 was a key driver of NPP, followed by sediment and light, whereas flow variability was only important in interactions with other stressors. The effects of sediment and flow on algal biomass depended strongly on their temporal patterns. The combined effect of an increasing number of stressors on algal biomass appeared to reach saturation with three active stressors, with no apparent additional effect caused by the fourth stressor. Synthesis. Sediment emerged as a key stressor in streams. Despite the mounting evidence and the multitude of available mitigation strategies, this problem persists worldwide. The complex interactions uncovered in our study illustrate context‐dependency that can be masked in two‐factor experiments. Our findings also highlighted that temporal patterns of individual and co‐occurring stressors can determine the ecological outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) is crucial to predicting the consequences of ongoing global biodiversity loss. However, what drives BEF relationships in natural ecosystems under globally changing conditions remains poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we applied a trait‐based approach to data from coastal dune plant communities distributed along a natural environmental stress gradient. Specifically, we compared the relative importance of below‐ground and above‐ground traits in predicting productivity, decomposition, water regulation, carbon stock and nutrient pools, and tested how these BEF relationships were modulated by environmental stress and the presence of rare species that are typically excluded from experimental systems. Below‐ground traits were just as important as above‐ground traits in driving ecosystem functioning. Moreover, despite having low abundances, rare species positively influenced ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF). However, most biodiversity effects became weaker as environmental stress increased. Our study shows that to understand variation in ecosystem functioning we must consider below‐ground traits as much as above‐ground ones. Moreover, it highlights the importance of conserving rare species for maintaining EMF. However, our findings also suggest that rapid global change could dampen the positive effects of diversity on ecosystem functioning. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediterranean lagoons face a significant threat due to the prevalent risks of eutrophication and dystrophy, particularly in sectors with limited water renewal. The El Mellah Lagoon in northeastern Algeria represents a crucial ecosystem. Our study focused on assessing its operational state by examining the seasonal variability of spatial patterns indicative of eutrophication. Our primary hypothesis posited that a lack of fluctuation in spatial pattern expression reflects ecosystem dysfunction in the face of eutrophication-related disturbances. Our objective was to establish that the El Mellah Lagoon maintains robust health, capable of recovering or sustaining dynamic equilibrium following periods of instability induced by external or internal disruptions. To achieve this, we employed a methodology combining multidimensional analysis (utilizing STATIS from the K-TABLE family) and spatial analysis (employing Moran's I and ordinary Kriging interpolation). Statistical analyses of physicochemical and biological measurements revealed seasonal variations in key eutrophication parameters. The first principal components derived from the STATIS analysis underwent spatial analysis techniques. Consequently, the spatial models constructed unveiled the dynamics characterizing the operational states of the El Mellah Lagoon. This comprehensive approach aimed to demonstrate the lagoon's resilience and ability to withstand disturbances, fostering a dynamic equilibrium crucial for its long-term viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proportion of people living in urban areas is growing globally. Understanding how to manage urban biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and ecosystem services is becoming more important. Biodiversity can increase ecosystem functioning in non‐urban systems. However, few studies have reviewed the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in urban areas, which differ in species compositions, abiotic environments, food webs, and turnover rates. We reviewed evidence of biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships in urban environments and assessed factors that influence the relationship direction. Based on 70 studies, relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning were more positive than negative in urban areas, especially for pollination and nutrient cycling and retention. Surprisingly, positive and negative relationships between biodiversity and biomass production and storage were equally not statistically different, perhaps due to extensive plant management in urban areas. The number of studies and geographic coverage of our review was still insufficient to provide a general predictive framework for when biodiversity positively impacts ecosystem functioning. We identify gaps and opportunities to improve urban biodiversity–ecosystem functioning research and discuss how our findings can improve urban green space management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Recent droughts have strongly impacted forest ecosystems and are projected to increase in frequency, intensity, and duration in the future together with continued warming. While evidence suggests that tree diversity can regulate drought impacts in natural forests, few studies examine whether mixed tree plantations are more resistant to the impacts of severe droughts.Using natural variations in leaf carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopic ratios, that is δ13C and δ15N, as proxies for drought response, we analyzed the effects of tree species richness on the functional responses of tree plantations to the pan‐European 2018 summer drought in seven European tree diversity experiments.We found that leaf δ13C decreased with increasing tree species richness, indicating less drought stress. This effect was not related to drought intensity, nor desiccation tolerance of the tree species. Leaf δ15N increased with drought intensity, indicating a shift toward more open N cycling as water availability diminishes. Additionally, drought intensity was observed to alter the influence of tree species richness on leaf δ15N from weakly negative under low drought intensity to weakly positive under high drought intensity.Overall, our findings suggest that dual leaf isotope analysis helps understand the interaction between drought, nutrients, and species richness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fundamental challenge for ecologists is to evaluate the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on ecosystem processes and functions. Tropical rainforests in Borneo are biologically diverse and provide an array of ecosystem functions and services. However, these forests are being logged and converted to agricultural plantations at a rapid pace. While there are numerous studies on the impacts of these land-use changes on biodiversity, there are far fewer that investigate the consequences of forest disturbance for ecosystem functioning. We investigated the impacts of land-use change in Bornean tropical rainforests on invertebrate-mediated functions using a suite of six easily measurable processes that are linked to nutrient cycling and plant regeneration, and which can be used as indicators of the degree of disturbance and the health of the forest. We explored whether the conversion of primary forest to logged, fragmented forest or agricultural plantations altered the ecosystem processes of dung removal, predation of insect herbivores, functional activity of soil invertebrates, bioturbation, seed removal, and decomposition. Overall, ecosystem processes remained resistant to habitat change except for seed removal, which was lower in heavily logged forests and plantations than in primary forests. This suggests that, despite the loss of many species when forests are logged and converted to agriculture, ecosystem processes provided by invertebrates can remain robust across land-use gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing human pressures threaten fish diversity, with potentially severe but unknown consequences for the functioning of riverine food webs.Using a 17‐year dataset from multi‐trophic fish communities, we investigated the long‐term effects of human pressure on the diversity and food web functioning. Combining metabolic scaling and ecological network principles, we calculate the annual energy fluxes through trophic compartments (top‐carnivore, mesocarnivore, detritivore and omnivore). Energy fluxes link trophic compartments, and thus represents food web functions such as carnivory, omnivory, herbivory and detritivory.Species richness across all trophic compartments was positively associated with energy flux. However, species richness decreased over time, as did the energy flux at the whole‐network level, which was reduced by 75%. Human pressure negatively affected both species richness and energy flux. Moreover, the negative impacts of human pressure on energy flux have intensified over time.Our results illustrate how human pressure can reduce diversity and erode the energy flux through food webs, with negative implications for the ecosystem functioning. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural resilience of the forests to face impacts of blowdown damages was affected by harvesting operations. Variable retention harvesting (VRH) increases forest structure heterogeneity in managed stands and decreases blowdown damages. The objective of this study was to characterize blowdown in Nothofagus pumilio forests managed with VRH in Southern Patagonia (Argentina). We analyzed long-term plots and one area affected by a windstorm after harvesting (exposure to winds and influence of retention patches) using univariate analyses. We found a differential impact in retention patches compared to dispersed retention after a windstorm considering aspect and distance to edge (e.g., blowdown trees: F = 6.64, p < 0.001). The aspect in retention patches presented few structural differences before the windstorm (e.g., tree diameter: F = 3.92, p = 0.014) but was not greatly influenced by the received damage after the windstorm. In long-term plots, we found that aspect and location in patches (distance to edge) determined the tree stability. We also found differences in wind damage considering retention level and design (e.g., aggregates and dispersed retention vs. aggregates and clear-cuts). We conclude that VRH increased the heterogeneity in harvested areas, where retention patches presented greater resilience in confronting extreme climate events and decreased recurrent wind exposure impacts in the long term. We found the marginal influence of aspect in the retention patches despite dominant winds and damages received by remnant trees during harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A potentially fundamental role of termites in influencing the soil properties andprocesses of the terrestrial ecosystems is gapped here. This research on tlandscape of termite soil mounds and soil properties and their influence on microbial groups and communities is focused on the Nallamalla forest ecosystem. The soil samples were obtained from the termite hills and gardens, and then they were examined for texture, moisture level, pH, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and available phosphorus (P). Data demonstrate that the sand/clay ratio of mound soils increased to more than twice (45%). 2%), moisture content (15. 2%), pH (7. 0), TOC (2. 0%), TN (0. The doblows (as parabolic shaped discs of plant-like growth is referred to) are deeprooted (up to 2m or 20 cm), exudate P (20.1 mg/kg) to a level that is over three times that of the surrounding soils. While, in the termite mound soil microbial community chains analysis indicates the higher bacterial and fungal diversity (Proteobacteria - the dominant group with a share of 35%, and Actinobacteria - the other most representative group that has 25%), the main fungal groups are Ascomycota (they have 50% share) and Basidiomycota (30%). This implies that the role of termites is that there is a major influence soil properties and microbial communities and this should be known since they play the ecosystem function and maintain resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semi‐arid alpine ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau are experiencing rapid climate change and extensive anthropogenic activity, concomitant with the encroachment of shrubs. Shrub encroachment will lead to changes in both the ecosystem structure and functioning of the semi‐arid alpine steppes. Yet, the encroaching impacts of shrubs on the above‐ and belowground ecosystem functioning of the semi‐arid alpine steppes remain uncertain. To quantify shrub encroachment impacts on ecosystem functioning of the semi‐arid alpine steppes, two alpine steppe sites encroached by shrub species are investigated, with one site encroached by leguminous shrub species (Caragana spinifera) and another site encroached by non‐leguminous shrub species (Dasiphora fruticosa). Results shows that the individual ecosystem functions and the ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) of alpine steppes are significantly enhanced following both leguminous and non‐leguminous shrubs encroachment. We conclude that shrub encroachment tends to facilitate the belowground EMF (BEMF) but has neutral effects on the aboveground EMF (AEMF) in alpine steppes. Our findings also highlight that soil nutrients play critical roles in driving ecosystem functioning responses to shrubs encroachment. These findings further our understanding of shrub encroachment impacts on the ecosystem functioning of the semi‐arid alpine steppes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater biodiversity has been declining in urban areas, which may threaten ecosystem functions. Although many studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, little is known about the BEF relationship in freshwater environments, especially in highly urbanized regions where water pollution is a major concern. Eutrophication in urban water bodies may trigger algae blooms, decreasing the evenness or functional divergence (FDiv) of phytoplankton communities, thus negatively affecting ecosystem functioning. Through an annual field investigation, we clarified the relationship between phytoplankton diversity and ecosystem functioning, represented as resource use efficiency (RUE), in an urban river in northern China. Results indicated that evenness in the phytoplankton community contributes most to driving ecosystem functioning compared to environmental factors. The relative abundance of dominant Bacillariophyta was positively correlated with the resource use efficiency of phytoplankton (RUEpp) but negatively correlated with the resource use efficiency of zooplankton (RUEzp). Both phytoplankton evenness and functional divergence were negatively linked to RUEpp but positively to RUEzp. Our findings suggest that the reduction of phytoplankton evenness and functional divergence may seriously threaten resource use efficiency (RUE), and its potential mechanism can provide a crucial reference for water quality protection and sustainable water resource utilization in the basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional redundancy, the potential for the functional role of one species to be fulfilled by another, is a key determinant of ecosystem viability. Scavenging transfers huge amount of energy through ecosystems and is, therefore, crucial for ecosystem viability and healthy ecosystem functioning. Despite this, relatively few studies have examined functional redundancy in scavenger communities. Moreover, the results of these studies are mixed and confined to a very limited range of habitat types and taxonomic groups.This study attempts to address this knowledge gap by conducting a field experiment in an undisturbed natural environment assessing functional roles and redundancy in vertebrate and invertebrate scavenging communities in a South African savanna.We used a large‐scale field experiment to suppress ants in four 1 ha plots in a South African savanna and paired each with a control plot. We distributed three types of small food bait: carbohydrate, protein and seed, across the plots and excluded vertebrates from half the baits using cages. Using this combination of ant suppression and vertebrate exclusion, allowed us explore the contribution of non‐ant invertebrates, ants and vertebrates in scavenging and also to determine whether either ants or vertebrates were able to compensate for the loss of one another.In this study, we found the invertebrate community carried out a larger proportion of overall scavenging services than vertebrates. Moreover, although scavenging was reduced when either invertebrates or vertebrates were absent, the presence of invertebrates better mitigated the functional loss of vertebrates than did the presence of vertebrates against the functional loss of invertebrates. There is a commonly held assumption that the functional role of vertebrate scavengers exceeds that of invertebrate scavengers; our results suggest that this is not true for small scavenging resources.Our study highlights the importance of invertebrates for securing healthy ecosystem functioning both now and into the future. We also build upon many previous studies which show that ants can have particularly large effects on ecosystem functioning. Importantly, our study suggests that scavenging in some ecosystems may be partly resilient to changes in the scavenging community, due to the potential for functional compensation by vertebrates and ants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species reintroduction is a management strategy to restore ecosystem functioning through the reestablishment of ecological interactions and related ecological processes, like pollination and seed dispersal. Selecting the best species to achieve this goal remains challenging. We present a trait‐based framework to estimate the effects of species reintroductions on seed dispersal and pollination. Our framework assesses the potential contribution of a consumer species (e.g. seed disperser) by considering both the originality of its interactions and the availability of resources it consumes. Originality refers to the degree of uniqueness versus redundancy of a species' interactions compared with the interactions of the current consumer community. Resource availability, defined by the distribution of trait values in the resource community that enable interactions (like fruit size), determines the potential magnitude of a species' effect. The framework also allows assigning different weights to unique interactions, thereby facilitating decisions on whether to prioritize species that potentially add unique interactions if selected for reintroduction. Using our framework, we compared the potential effects of two reintroduced frugivores (agoutis and howler monkeys) on seed dispersal in an Atlantic Forest site. While both species have similar potential effects when not accounting for interaction originality, howlers interact with more common fruit's trait values, whereas agoutis have more unique interactions and with a broader variety of trait values. We also provide ways of generalizing our approach to include other factors, e.g. species abundances, to assess the consequences of other scenarios affecting community composition, such as species extinctions and invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean warming is driving significant changes in the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems, shifting species' biogeography and phenology, changing body size and biomass and altering the trophodynamics of the system. Particularly, extreme temperature events such as marine heatwaves (MHWs) have been increasing in intensity, duration and frequency. MHWs are causing large‐scale impacts on marine ecosystems, such as coral bleaching, mass mortality of seagrass meadows and declines in fish stocks and other marine organisms in recent decades. In this study, we developed and applied a dynamic version of the EcoTroph trophodynamic modelling approach to study the cascading effects of individual MHW on marine ecosystem functioning. We simulated theoretical user‐controlled ecosystems and explored the consequences of various assumptions of marine species mortality along the food web, associated with different MHW intensities. We show that an MHW can lead to a significant biomass reduction of all consumers, with the severity of the declines being dependent on species trophic levels (TLs) and biomes, in addition to the characteristics of MHWs. Biomass of higher TLs declines more than lower TLs under an MHW, leading to changes in ecosystem structure. While tropical ecosystems are projected to be sensitive to low‐intensity MHWs, polar and temperate ecosystems are expected to be impacted by more intense MHWs. The estimated time to recover from MHW impacts is twice as long for polar ecosystems and one‐third longer for temperate biomes compared with tropical biomes. This study highlights the importance of considering extreme weather events in assessing the effects of climate change on the structures and functions of marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding what regulates ecosystem functional responses to disturbance is essential in this era of global change. However, many pioneering and still influential disturbance‐related theorie proposed by ecosystem ecologists were developed prior to rapid global change, and before tools and metrics were available to test them. In light of new knowledge and conceptual advances across biological disciplines, we present four disturbance ecology concepts that are particularly relevant to ecosystem ecologists new to the field: (a) the directionality of ecosystem functional response to disturbance; (b) functional thresholds; (c) disturbance–succession interactions; and (d) diversity‐functional stability relationships. We discuss how knowledge, theory, and terminology developed by several biological disciplines, when integrated, can enhance how ecosystem ecologists analyze and interpret functional responses to disturbance. For example, when interpreting thresholds and disturbance–succession interactions, ecosystem ecologists should consider concurrent biotic regime change, non‐linearity, and multiple response pathways, typically the theoretical and analytical domain of population and community ecologists. Similarly, the interpretation of ecosystem functional responses to disturbance requires analytical approaches that recognize disturbance can promote, inhibit, or fundamentally change ecosystem functions. We suggest that truly integrative approaches and knowledge are essential to advancing ecosystem functional responses to disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 120-day field study was conducted in a Malaysian mangrove ecosystem to investigate the effect of mesh size (0.20 mm, 0.50 mm, and unprotected leaf litter/open litter) on litter decomposition and associated carbon (C)/nitrogen (N) release from two mangrove species, namely Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Rhizophora mucronata. We hypothesized that excluding fauna from various functional groups through the use of litter mesh bags would significantly impact the decay rates and related dynamics of C and N among the treatments. As expected, marked differences in the decay rate were observed among treatments, with higher decay rates in the unprotected litter. Notably, the decay rates for B. gymnorrhiza were significantly greater than those observed for R. mucronata. Microbial communities played a more substantial role in decomposition, contributing 49%, surpassing the impact of macrofauna (29% contribution) and mesofauna (25% contribution). Consistent with our hypothesis, significant differences in C and N loss were observed among treatments for both species over time. Our findings underscore the influential role of various soil faunal functional groups in litter decomposition, significantly contributing to the release of C and N. This emphasizes their crucial role in the biogeochemical cycling of C and N in blue carbon ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface temperature of the oceans has increased globally over the past decades. In coastal areas influenced by eastern boundary upwelling systems (EBUS), winds push seawater offshore and deep, cold and nutrient-rich seawater rise towards the surface, partially buffering global warming. On the North coast of Portugal, the NW Iberian upwelling system allows extensive kelp forests to thrive in these "boreal-like" conditions, fostering highly diverse and productive communities. However, the warming of the upper layer of the ocean may weaken this upwelling, leading to higher sea surface temperature and lower nutrient input in the coastal areas. The effects of these changes on the structure and function of coastal ecosystems remain unexplored. The present study aimed to examine the combined effects of elevated temperature and nutrient depletion on semi-naturally structured assemblages. The eco-physiological responses investigated included growth, chlorophyll fluorescence and metabolic rates at the levels of individual species and whole assemblages. Our findings showed interactive effects of the combination of elevated temperature with nutrient depletion on the large canopy-forming species (i.e., kelp). As main contributor to community response, those effects drove the whole assemblage responses to significant losses in productivity levels. We also found an additive effect of elevated temperature and reduced nutrients on sub-canopy species (i.e., Chondrus crispus), while turfs were only affected by temperature. Our results suggest that under weakening upwelling scenarios, the ability of the macroalgal assemblages to maintain high productivity rates could be seriously affected and predict a shift in community composition with the loss of marine forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In tropical forests, about 60%–80% of woody plant species depend on animal–plant interactions for dispersal. The dependence on animal species for dispersal makes this interaction very fragile in the face of anthropogenic changes in land use. Disrupting seed‐dispersal processes, principally zoochoric dispersal, could significantly alter the long‐term carbon storage potential of tropical forests.An important question is how landscape structure changes tree carbon stocks in different types of tropical vegetation and how variation is mediated by the dispersal mode of animal (zoochoric) or abiotic (non‐zoochoric) seeds.We focused on tree plots at 126 sites in Brazil spanning four types of forest and savanna vegetation, and calculated carbon stored in zoochoric, non‐zoochoric, and large frugivore‐dispersed species.Our results showed that carbon stocks in zoochoric species and non‐zoochoric species differ significantly among vegetation types, with rainforests having higher stocks in zoochoric species and deciduous seasonally dry tropical forests having higher values in non‐zoochoric species. A greater area of native vegetation promotes higher proportions of carbon stocks dispersed by large frugivore species, whereas a higher mean shape index reduces this proportion.Synthesis. This study highlights that seed‐dispersal type underpins the variation in carbon stocks between vegetation types and that the maintenance of habitat of large dispersers and connectivity are key for retaining carbon stocks in zoochoric species, particularly in rainforest and cerrado sensu stricto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species in one ecosystem can indirectly affect multiple biodiversity components and ecosystem functions of adjacent ecosystems. The magnitude of these cross‐ecosystem effects depends on the attributes of the organisms involved in the interactions, including traits of the predator, prey and basal resource. However, it is unclear how predators with cross‐ecosystem habitat interact with predators with single‐ecosystem habitat to affect their shared ecosystem. Also, unknown is how such complex top‐down effects may be mediated by the anti‐predatory traits of prey and quality of the basal resource.We used the aquatic invertebrate food webs in tank bromeliads as a model system to investigate these questions. We manipulated the presence of a strictly aquatic predator (damselfly larvae) and a predator with both terrestrial and aquatic habitats (spider), and examined effects on survival of prey (detritivores grouped by anti‐predator defence), detrital decomposition (of two plant species differing in litter quality), nitrogen flux and host plant growth. To evaluate the direct and indirect effects each predator type on multiple detritivore groups and ultimately on multiple ecosystem processes, we used piecewise structural equation models. For each response variable, we isolated the contribution of different detritivore groups to overall effects by comparing alternate model formulations.Alone, damselfly larvae and spiders each directly decreased survival of detritivores and caused multiple indirect negative effects on detritus decomposition, nutrient cycling and host plant growth. However, when predators co‐occurred, the spider caused a negative non‐consumptive effect on the damselfly larva, diminishing the net direct and indirect top‐down effects on the aquatic detritivore community and ecosystem functioning. Both detritivore traits and detritus quality modulated the strength and mechanism of these trophic cascades. Predator interference was mediated by undefended or partially defended detritivores as detritivores with anti‐predatory defences evaded consumption by damselfly larvae but not spiders. Predators and detritivores affected ecosystem decomposition and nutrient cycling only in the presence of high‐quality detritus, as the low‐quality detritus was consumed more by microbes than invertebrates.The complex responses of this system to predators from both recipient and adjacent ecosystems highlight the critical role of maintaining biodiversity components across multiple ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change will affect the way biodiversity influences the stability of plant communities. Although biodiversity, associated species asynchrony, and species stability could enhance community stability, the understanding of potential nonlinear shifts in the biodiversity–stability relationship across a wide range of aridity (measured as the aridity index, the precipitation/potential evapotranspiration ratio) gradients and the underlying mechanisms remain limited. Using an 8‐year dataset from 687 sites in Mongolia, which included 5496 records of vegetation and productivity, we found that the temporal stability of plant communities decreased more rapidly in more arid areas than in less arid areas. The result suggests that future aridification across terrestrial ecosystems may adversely affect community stability. Additionally, we identified nonlinear shifts in the effects of species richness and species synchrony on temporal community stability along the aridity gradient. Species synchrony was a primary driver of community stability, which was consistently negatively affected by species richness while being positively affected by the synchrony between C3 and C4 species across the aridity gradient. These results highlight the crucial role of C4 species in stabilizing communities through differential responses to interannual climate variations between C3 and C4 species. Notably, species richness and the synchrony between C3 and C4 species independently regulated species synchrony, ultimately affecting community stability. We propose that maintaining plant communities with a high diversity of C3 and C4 species will be key to enhancing community stability across Mongolian grasslands. Moreover, species synchrony, species stability, species richness and the synchrony between C3 and C4 species across the aridity gradient consistently mediated the impacts of aridity on community stability. Hence, strategies aimed at promoting the maintenance of biological diversity and composition will help ecosystems adapt to climate change or mitigate its adverse effects on ecosystem stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil is the basis for life on Earth as we know it. Healthy and stable soil is a prerequisite for well-functioning terrestrial ecosystems and has, thus, been proposed to play a key role in plant diversity–ecosystem functioning relationships. The overall objective of this sub-project is to study multidimensional soil stability as affected by plant diversity in a long-term plant diversity experiment. We designed three coordinated work packages (WPs) to comprehensively assess soil multistability to environmental fluctuations and climate extremes by considering the biological, chemical and physical dimensions that are key for soil functioning. We will use all unique facilities and approaches of the Jena Experiment Research Unit by combining synthesis of long-term data in the Main Experiment and the ΔBEF Experiment with performing new soil analyses in the DrY Experiment, the ResCUE Experiment and a joint CoMic Experiment, to gain a better mechanistic understanding of plant diversity–ecosystem functioning relationships. In close collaboration with other sub-projects, we will assess biological, chemical and physical soil properties and stability indicators that will be used to calculate soil multifunctionality and multistability indices. In WP1, we will build on three unique datasets to explore short-term and long-term effects of plant diversity on the stability of soil (microbial) properties. In WP2, we will combine different datasets and approaches to explore if plant diversity effects on the magnitude and stability of soil properties increase with abiotic and biotic stresses. In WP3, we will combine measurements of the above-mentioned dimensions of soil stability to explore if plant diversity increases the stability of multiple soil properties under hot drought. This sub-project is at the heart of the Research Unit by testing the overarching hypotheses outlined in the Coordination Proposal of the Jena Experiment, contributing to all main experiments, sharing data and performing joint sampling campaigns with all sub-projects and, at the same time, introducing a novel concept of soil multistability as affected by plant diversity and climate extremes. We propose to use a combination of simple, high-throughput (e.g. bait-lamina test) and more sophisticated methods (e.g. extracellular polymeric substances analyses) to be able to investigate temporal dynamics of soil processes and their mechanistic basis. Taken together, the results of the three WPs will provide new insights into the stabilising mechanisms of soil properties in the long term and in relation to climate extremes through plant diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine sediments cover 70% of the Earth's surface, and harbour diverse bacterial communities critical for marine biogeochemical processes, which affect climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Nematodes, the most abundant and species‐rich metazoan organisms in marine sediments, in turn, affect benthic bacterial communities and bacterial‐mediated ecological processes, but the underlying mechanisms by which they affect biogeochemical cycles remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate using a metatranscriptomic approach that nematodes alter the taxonomic and functional profiles of benthic bacterial communities. We found particularly strong stimulation of nitrogen‐fixing and methane‐oxidizing bacteria in the presence of nematodes, as well as increased functional activity associated with methane metabolism and degradation of various carbon compounds. This study provides empirical evidence that the presence of nematodes results in taxonomic and functional shifts in active bacterial communities, indicating that nematodes may play an important role in benthic ecosystem processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraspecific variability has implications for our understanding of ecosystem functioning. Yet, beyond ontogenetic variation in body size, we know little about how phenotypic differences between individuals modulate ecosystem functioning.We addressed this question empirically within a forested stream, by studying the ecosystem effects triggered by conspecific predatory dragonfly larvae that varied in sex, body shape, behaviour and growth rate. With the help of stream enclosures, we were able to evaluate how different predator phenotypes drive cascading effects on litter‐dwelling prey, fungal biomass and leaf litter decomposition, in uncontrolled natural conditions.Some individual predators increased leaf litter standing stocks and fungal biomass compared to controls (without dragonfly larvae added), but others had the opposite effect. These contrasting effects were repeatable between the two runs of our experiment. Phenotypic effects were related to the sex and the position of individuals along a life history—behavioural continuum, and were possibly mediated by differential top‐down control of prey, or by inter‐individual variability in non‐consumptive effects.Several phenotypic dimensions are likely to mediate individual variability in predator effects on ecosystem processes, even in a complex and stochastic natural context such as a forested stream.We invite further investigations that seek to understand the mechanisms (e.g., non‐consumptive effects) driving individual variability in predator effects on ecosystem processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU Nature Restoration Law represents an important opportunity for freshwater habitat restoration and, consequently, freshwater biodiversity protection. However, a number of challenges must be anticipated in its implementation, which may compromise its success. Some aspects, particularly those relating to freshwater ecosystems, require more clarification. We use riverine ecosystems to illustrate existing ambiguities in the proposed legislation and the potential consequences of leaving these aspects open to interpretation during the implementation process. We also discuss potential solutions to these problems which could help ensure that the law's objectives are met. We argue that river network structure and connectivity dimensions, which result into river meta‐ecosystems, must be explicitly considered. For that purpose, we ask for clear definitions of the critical terms "free‐flowing rivers," "barriers," and "reference areas." In addition, we recommend developing methods for integrated assessment of connectivity across river networks. As a key property of river ecosystems, this must be used to prioritize actions to increase the length and number of free‐flowing rivers. Adequate restoration planning at larger spatial scales will benefit from a meta‐ecosystem perspective and accurate representation of aquatic‐terrestrial linkages, which will significantly improve the efficacy of restoration efforts. Furthermore, stakeholder and citizen engagement offer important opportunities at local, national, and European scales, and should be fostered to ensure inclusive decision‐making. The conservation challenges outlined here are particularly important for rivers, but they also have implications for other ecosystems. These considerations are useful for policymakers, conservationists, and other stakeholders involved in the Nature Restoration Law and related policy initiatives. This article is categorized under:Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on EcosystemsWater and Life > Conservation, Management, and AwarenessHuman Water > Water Governance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With less than half of the world's tropical forests remaining, ecological restoration is urgently needed to halt biodiversity loss. However, the efficacy of different active reforestation methods remains largely untested particularly with respect to the recovery of fauna during the early years of restoration. Here, we present the results of a long‐term restoration project in the Australian Wet Tropics after 6 years of planting. Using dung beetles as bioindicators of restoration success, we investigated how the diversity and density of trees in experimental plots influence the recovery of dung beetle diversity and their ecological functions (dung removal and secondary seed dispersal). We found that after only 6 years since planting, a native dung beetle community, representing around 41% of the species found in the adjacent rainforest, has colonized the experimental plots. Plots with the highest diversity of trees (24 species planted) showed higher dung beetle diversity, dung removal, and seed dispersal but only when the density of trees on the plots was low. These plots also have higher species richness, diversity, and abundance of rainforest species, while the opposite trend was found for open‐habitat species. Therefore, planting a higher diversity of trees appears to be the best method for the early recovery of rainforest dung beetle communities and their functions. This is particularly crucial at low tree density, which is a common issue in active restoration projects as tree mortality is relatively high in the early years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streams are significant contributors of greenhouse gases (GHG) to the atmosphere, and the increasing number of stressors degrading freshwaters may exacerbate this process, posing a threat to climatic stability. However, it is unclear whether the influence of multiple stressors on GHG concentrations in streams results from increases of in‐situ metabolism (i.e., local processes) or from changes in upstream and terrestrial GHG production (i.e., distal processes). Here, we hypothesize that the mechanisms controlling multiple stressor effects vary between carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), with the latter being more influenced by changes in local stream metabolism, and the former mainly responding to distal processes. To test this hypothesis, we measured stream metabolism and the concentrations of CO2 (pCO2) and CH4 (pCH4) in 50 stream sites that encompass gradients of nutrient enrichment, oxygen depletion, thermal stress, riparian degradation and discharge. Our results indicate that these stressors had additive effects on stream metabolism and GHG concentrations, with stressor interactions explaining limited variance. Nutrient enrichment was associated with higher stream heterotrophy and pCO2, whereas pCH4 increased with oxygen depletion and water temperature. Discharge was positively linked to primary production, respiration and heterotrophy but correlated negatively with pCO2. Our models indicate that CO2‐equivalent concentrations can more than double in streams that experience high nutrient enrichment and oxygen depletion, compared to those with oligotrophic and oxic conditions. Structural equation models revealed that the effects of nutrient enrichment and discharge on pCO2 were related to distal processes rather than local metabolism. In contrast, pCH4 responses to nutrient enrichment, discharge and temperature were related to both local metabolism and distal processes. Collectively, our study illustrates potential climatic feedbacks resulting from freshwater degradation and provides insight into the processes mediating stressor impacts on the production of GHG in streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Biodiversity is an essential component for ecosystem functioning and stability, with numerous biotic interactions and complementarity playing important roles. The complexity of these relationships can be seen in both above‐ and belowground ecosystems and understanding these intricate relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) is critical to ecological research, especially in the context of rapidly changing global environments. This review synthesizes contemporary research and fundamental insights into BEF linkages, with a particular emphasis on the function of plant‐microbial biotic interactions in shaping aboveground biodiversity and their cascading effects on ecosystem processes. One of the most significant developments is the discovery that microbial communities responsible for a variety of soil functions are inextricably linked to plant communities and ecosystem processes. However, BEF studies rarely explore the relationships between above‐ and belowground biodiversity components, as well as how global change affects them. In light of this, we propose emerging paths for future study, emphasizing the necessity of global‐scale networks and collaborative efforts to address difficult ecological challenges. Addressing these crucial knowledge gaps might help to improve our understanding of the interplay between biodiversity, biotic interactions and ecosystem functions, thereby improving primary productivity as well as ecosystem resilience and sustainability in the face of projected global change.

This document is an editorial titled "The importance of understanding benthic ecosystem functioning" published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science. The editorial highlights the significance of benthic habitats, which are the largest ecosystems on Earth, in providing valuable ecosystem services. It discusses the threats posed by the climate crisis and human activities to benthic ecosystems and emphasizes the need to understand the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The editorial presents different research articles that explore topics such as functional diversity, species interactions, and human-induced changes in benthic ecosystems. It concludes by suggesting the need for systematic reviews and meta-analyses to further investigate the links between biological traits and ecosystem functioning. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract Background Semi-enclosed bays are important links in the material cycle and energy flow between terrestrial and marine ecosystems. They are also areas of intense human activities and heavily influenced by such activities as aquaculture, industrial and agricultural wastewater discharge. The rate of biodiversity loss and changes in ecosystems have prompted research into the relationship between species diversity and ecosystem functioning. Studies have shown that application of functional diversity indices is useful for assessing the status of ecosystem functioning. We quantitatively sampled macrofauna in a semi-enclosed bay in four seasons and analyzed the relationship between species, functional diversity and secondary production, biomass and feeding functional groups of macrofauna. Results The annual secondary production was 325.01 kJ m−2 year−1. Detritivorous, carnivorous and planktophagous feeders were the main functional groups of macrofauna. Differences in the spatial–temporal distribution of functional groups were influenced by Ruditapes philippinarum and Hemileucon bidentatus. Functional richness had significant negative correlations with macrofaunal biomass and secondary production. Functional divergence, functional dispersion and Rao's quadratic entropy had highly significant negative correlations with macrofaunal biomass and secondary production. Conclusion The results showed that high overlap of ecological niches can increase competition for habitat resources, leading to a decline in biomass and secondary production. In addition, aquaculture could promote the use of habitat resources to some extent, while it could increase competition for ecosystem resources (including habitat resources, atmospheric resources, water resources, etc.). Functional diversity is a good indicator for the ecosystem functioning and the competition status for habitat resources, which can provide insights into the current state of ecosystem function.

BackgroundFor achieving long-term sustainability of intensive agricultural practices, it is pivotal to understand belowground functional stability as belowground organisms play essential roles in soil biogeochemical cycling. It is commonly believed that resource availability is critical for controlling the soil biodiversity and belowground organism interactions that ultimately lead to the stabilization or collapse of terrestrial ecosystem functions, but evidence to support this belief is still limited. Here, we leveraged field experiments from the Chinese National Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) and two microcosm experiments mimicking high and low resource conditions to explore how resource availability mediates soil biodiversity and potential multi-trophic interactions to control functional trait stability.ResultsWe found that agricultural practice-induced higher resource availability increased potential cross-trophic interactions over 316% in fields, which in turn had a greater effect on functional trait stability, while low resource availability made the stability more dependent on the potential within trophic interactions and soil biodiversity. This large-scale pattern was confirmed by fine-scale microcosm systems, showing that microcosms with sufficient nutrient supply increase the proportion of potential cross-trophic interactions, which were positively associated with functional stability. Resource-driven belowground biodiversity and multi-trophic interactions ultimately feedback to the stability of plant biomass.ConclusionsOur results indicated the importance of potential multi-trophic interactions in supporting belowground functional trait stability, especially when nutrients are sufficient, and also suggested the ecological benefits of fertilization programs in modern agricultural intensification. Video Abstract.

In ecosystems, species interact in various ways with other species, and with their local environment. In addition, ecosystems are coupled in space by diverse types of flows. From these links connecting different ecological entities can emerge circular pathways of indirect effects: feedback loops. This contributes to creating a nested set of ecological feedbacks operating at different organizational levels as well as spatial and temporal scales in ecological systems: organisms modifying and being affected by their local abiotic environment, demographic and behavioral feedbacks within populations and communities, and spatial feedbacks occurring at the landscape scale. Here, we review how ecological feedbacks vary in space and time, and discuss the emergent properties they generate such as species coexistence or the spatial heterogeneity and stability of ecological systems. With the aim of identifying similarities across scales, we identify the abiotic and biotic modulators that can change the sign and strength of feedback loops and show that these feedbacks can interact in space or time. Our review shows that despite acting at different scales and emerging from different processes, feedbacks generate similar macroscopic properties of ecological systems across levels of organization. Ultimately, our contribution emphasizes the need to integrate such feedbacks to improve our understanding of their joint effects on the dynamics, patterns, and stability of ecological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing crops in more diverse crop systems (i.e., intercropping) is one way to produce food more sustainably. Even though intercropping, compared to average monocultures, is generally more productive, the full yield potential of intercropping might not yet have been achieved as modern crop cultivars are bred to be grown in monoculture. Breeding plants for more familiarity in mixtures, i.e., plants that are adapted to more diverse communities (i.e., adaptation) or even to coexist with each other (i.e., coadaptation) might have the potential to sustainably enhance productivity. In this study, the productivity benefits of familiarity through evolutionary adaptation and coevolutionary coadaptation were disentangled in a crop system through an extensive common garden experiment. Furthermore, evolutionary and coevolutionary effects on species-level and community-level productivity were linked to corresponding changes in functional traits. We found evidence for higher productivity and trait convergence with increasing familiarity with the plant communities. Furthermore, our results provide evidence for the coevolution of plants in mixtures leading to higher productivity of coadapted species. However, with the functional traits measured in our study, we could not fully explain the productivity benefits found upon coevolution. Our study investigated coevolution among randomly interacting plants and was able to demonstrate that coadaptation through coevolution of coexisting species in mixtures occurs and promotes ecosystem functioning (i.e., higher productivity). This result is particularly relevant for the diversification of agricultural and forest ecosystems, demonstrating the added value of artificially selecting plants for the communities they are familiar with. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are a growing concern in marine ecosystems, with their presence reported in various aquatic environments. This editorial highlights the need for a better understanding of the ecological consequences of MPs, particularly their effects on eukaryotic microbes (EM). EM play a crucial role in carbon transfer and are affected by MPs through ingestion and interactions with other components of the microbial loop. The articles featured in this research topic explore the effects of MPs on copepod microbiota, the gut microbiome of ventiferous crabs, prey-predator interactions, and the overall functioning of marine ecosystems. These studies emphasize the far-reaching impacts of MPs on energy flow and the need for further research in this area. [Extracted from the article]

Wild pollinators are crucial for ecosystem functioning and human food production and often rely on floral resources provided by different (semi‐) natural ecosystems for survival. Yet, the role of European forests, and especially the European forest herb layer, as a potential provider of floral resources for pollinators has scarcely been quantified.In this study, we measured the potential nectar production (PNP) of the forest herb layer using resurvey data across 3326 plots in temperate forests in Europe, with an average time interval of 41 years between both surveys in order to assess (i) the importance of the forest herb layer in providing nectar for wild pollinators, (ii) the intra‐annual variation of PNP, (iii) the overall change in PNP between survey periods and (iv) the change in intra‐annual variation of PNP between survey periods. The PNP estimates nectar availability based on the relative cover of different plant species in the forest herb layer. Although PNP overestimates actual nectar production, relative differences amongst plots provide a valid and informative way to analyse differences across time and space.Our results show that the forest herb layer has a large potential for providing nectar for wild pollinator communities, which is greatest in spring, with an average PNP of almost 16 g sugar/m2/year. However, this potential has drastically declined (mean plot‐level decline >24%).Change in light availability, associated with shifts in canopy structure and canopy composition, is the key driver of temporal PNP changes.Synthesis. Our study shows that if management activities are carefully planned to sustain nectar‐producing plant species for wild pollinators, European forest herb layers and European forests as a whole can play key roles in sustaining wild pollinator populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trait‐based approaches have received increasing interest among freshwater scientists given their capacity to predict community structure and biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning. However, the inconsistent development and use of trait concepts and terms across freshwater scientific disciplines may have limited realisation of the potential of traits.Here, we reviewed trait definitions and terms use to provide recommendations for their consistent application in freshwater science. To do so, we first reviewed literature to identify established trait definitions, historical and current use of trait terms and challenges restricting the application of trait‐based approaches in freshwater science. Next, we surveyed 414 freshwater researchers from 54 countries to assess variability in the current use of trait terminology in relation to respondent characteristics (i.e., professional experience, geographical region, research discipline, and focal freshwater ecosystem, biotic group, and ecosystem function).Our literature review identified two well‐established trait definitions, which emphasise individual phenotypic characteristics that influence either eco‐evolutionary aspects (i.e., organism performance and fitness) or ecosystem dynamics and processes (i.e., responses to the environment and/or effects on ecosystem functioning). Publications used a range of trait‐related terms and their frequency of use varied among scientific fields. The term functional trait dominated fields such as biodiversity conservation, environmental sciences and ecology, plant sciences and microbiology. In contrast, the terms biological trait, functional trait, and species trait were used with similar frequencies in fields such as entomology, fisheries, marine and freshwater biology, and zoology. We also found that well‐established trait definitions are difficult to apply to freshwater unicellular organisms, colonial multicellular organisms, genomic information, and cultural traits.Our survey revealed highly inconsistent use of trait terms among freshwater researchers. Terms including biological trait, functional trait, structural measure, and ecosystem function were commonly used to describe the same traits or functions. Variability in the use of terms was generally explained by research discipline, geographical region, and focal biotic group and ecosystem functions.We propose making the trait concept flexible enough to be applicable to all freshwater biota and their characteristics, while keeping and integrating links to eco‐evolutionary and ecosystem aspects. Specifically, our new definition expands the established functional trait definition by considering also supra‐individual scales of trait measurement (colonial‐ or community‐mean traits), genotypic traits (e.g., functional gene markers of enzymes) and cultural traits (e.g., feeding behaviours, communication skills). To reduce terminological ambiguity, we also recommend that researchers define trait terms, prioritising the use of functional trait as an overarching term over alternative terms (e.g., biological trait), and restricting specific terms (e.g., morphological trait) to situations in which such precision is desirable. The findings of our integrative study could help to improve terminological consistency across freshwater disciplines and to better recognise the potential of traits to elucidate the mechanisms behind ecological patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic forest fires are occurring with increasing frequency in tropical forests, with negative consequences for a variety of ecological processes, including litterfall. Litterfall provides several ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling and carbon storage, thus playing an important role in ecosystem functioning. We assessed the impacts of fire and fire-created edges on litterfall in Atlantic Forest remnants in Bahia, Brazil. Litterfall was assessed at monthly intervals over one year along seven 300 m-long transects placed perpendicular to the edge between the unburnt forest and the burnt forest. We installed litterfall traps at the edge (0 m) and 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 150 m into both the burnt and unburnt forest. The total litterfall was smaller in the burnt forest (mean of 2.5 ± 2.2 SD t.ha−1.y−1) than in the unburnt forest (mean of 5.9 ± 3.4 SD t.ha−1.y−1). In addition, leaf litter gradually increased from the edge toward the unburnt forest interior. Our results highlight that there is less litterfall in the burnt forest, and that the relative contribution of different litter types (leaves, twigs, and miscellaneous litter) differ between burnt forest and unburnt forest. The lower amount of litterfall in the burnt forest and forest edge may have negative consequences for the natural regeneration of these areas, as the ecosystem services provided by plant litter that are important for forest regeneration are likely to be impaired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple facets of global change affect the earth system interactively, with complex consequences for ecosystem functioning and stability. Simultaneous climate and biodiversity change are of particular concern, because biodiversity may contribute to ecosystem resistance and resilience and may mitigate climate change impacts. Yet, the extent and generality of how climate and biodiversity change interact remain insufficiently understood, especially for the decomposition of organic matter, a major determinant of the biosphere-atmosphere carbon feedbacks. With an inter-biome field experiment using large rainfall exclusion facilities, we tested how drought, a common prediction of climate change models for many parts of the world, and biodiversity in the decomposer system drive decomposition in forest ecosystems interactively. Decomposing leaf litter lost less carbon (C) and especially nitrogen (N) in five different forest biomes following partial rainfall exclusion compared to conditions without rainfall exclusion. An increasing complexity of the decomposer community alleviated drought effects, with full compensation when large-bodied invertebrates were present. Leaf litter mixing increased diversity effects, with increasing litter species richness, which contributed to counteracting drought effects on C and N loss, although to a much smaller degree than decomposer community complexity. Our results show at a relevant spatial scale covering distinct climate zones that both, the diversity of decomposer communities and plant litter in forest floors have a strong potential to mitigate drought effects on C and N dynamics during decomposition. Preserving biodiversity at multiple trophic levels contributes to ecosystem resistance and appears critical to maintain ecosystem processes under ongoing climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Semi-enclosed bays are important links in the material cycle and energy flow between terrestrial and marine ecosystems. They are also areas of intense human activities and heavily influenced by such activities as aquaculture, industrial and agricultural wastewater discharge. The rate of biodiversity loss and changes in ecosystems have prompted research into the relationship between species diversity and ecosystem functioning. Studies have shown that application of functional diversity indices is useful for assessing the status of ecosystem functioning. We quantitatively sampled macrofauna in a semi-enclosed bay in four seasons and analyzed the relationship between species, functional diversity and secondary production, biomass and feeding functional groups of macrofauna. Results: The annual secondary production was 325.01 kJ m−2 year−1. Detritivorous, carnivorous and planktophagous feeders were the main functional groups of macrofauna. Differences in the spatial–temporal distribution of functional groups were influenced by Ruditapes philippinarum and Hemileucon bidentatus. Functional richness had significant negative correlations with macrofaunal biomass and secondary production. Functional divergence, functional dispersion and Rao's quadratic entropy had highly significant negative correlations with macrofaunal biomass and secondary production. Conclusion: The results showed that high overlap of ecological niches can increase competition for habitat resources, leading to a decline in biomass and secondary production. In addition, aquaculture could promote the use of habitat resources to some extent, while it could increase competition for ecosystem resources (including habitat resources, atmospheric resources, water resources, etc.). Functional diversity is a good indicator for the ecosystem functioning and the competition status for habitat resources, which can provide insights into the current state of ecosystem function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary climate change is causing poleward range shifts of species globally. In the ocean, tropical species are expanding into temperate regions as they warm, whereas temperate species' ranges are receding, leading to changes in community composition in a phenomenon known as tropicalisation. Tropicalisation has a multitude of ecological and evolutionary consequences for species, communities, and whole ecosystems, and is altering global biodiversity patterns. Tropicalisation research has primarily focused on ecological impacts, but our understanding of its evolutionary consequences remains limited. A comprehensive strategy that integrates genetic and ecological research is essential to better understand the drivers and consequences of tropicalisation. Such a holistic approach is pivotal for predicting changes in ecosystem functioning and consequent biodiversity and socioeconomic impacts. Tropicalisation is a marine phenomenon arising from contemporary climate change, and is characterised by the range expansion of tropical/subtropical species and the retraction of temperate species. Tropicalisation occurs globally and can be detected in both tropical/temperate transition zones and temperate regions. The ecological consequences of tropicalisation range from single-species impacts (e.g., altered behaviour) to whole ecosystem changes (e.g., phase shifts in intertidal and subtidal habitats). Our understanding of the evolutionary consequences of tropicalisation is limited, but emerging evidence suggests that tropicalisation could induce phenotypic change as well as shifts in the genotypic composition of both expanding and retracting species. Given the rapid rate of contemporary climate change, research on tropicalisation focusing on shifts in ecosystem functioning, biodiversity change, and socioeconomic impacts is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local and landscape diversity loss, habitat fragmentation and land‐use changes commonly co‐occur and impair ecosystem multifunctionality, yet they are often studied in isolation. Therefore, we ignore the relative importance of these drivers of ecosystem change or whether or not they interact to determine ecosystem functioning.We measured how changes in local (plant richness) and landscape (different land uses) diversity, land use (orchards, shrubland, pine, oak and mixed forests) and habitat sise, and their interactions, affected the functioning of Mediterranean ecosystems. At 49 plots, we measured 17 above‐ and below‐ground functions, related to nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration and biotic interactions. Additionally, we generated different combinations of plots to compose artificial landscapes where multifunctionality and biodiversity conservation can be maximised, in order to aid land managers to preserve or design functional and diverse areas.The relative importance of local and landscape attributes varied slightly depending on the target function, yet land use was by far the strongest predictor of most functions and multifunctionality above local plant biodiversity, habitat sise or landscape diversity. Oak and mixed forest were the most multifunctional land uses but were functionally wcomplemented by other land uses that maximised some individual functions.The relative proportion of each land use within optimal landscapes varied if the target was biodiversity conservation (with an even dominance of land uses), carbon stocks or multifunctionality (highly dominated by native oak and mixed forests).Synthesis and applications: Our results highlight the importance of remnant native forest to provide multiple ecosystem functions and the potential to restore them and complement these uses with sustainable agriculture. By merging landscape and ecosystem approaches we provide specific numbers regarding the proportion that each land use should have in order to maximise biodiversity conservation and/or functioning in these charismatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]